It appears 2024 was mostly a Year of Collaboration for breweries in Northern Ireland. Beer Hut, Boundary, Modest, Bullhouse, Lacada, Our Brewery, Out of Office, Mourne Mountains, Rough Brothers and likely others I’ve missed were involved in some sort of joint effort this year. The quality of many of these collaboration beers was very impressive, so much so you’ll find three of them on my shortlist for NI New Beer of the Year.
In other news, the Northern Ireland licensing issue slowly trundles on with hopefully some significant news in the next twelve months. Also, Belfast has now become one of the most expensive places in the UK for a draught pint – if you live in the area, does this affect your decision to maybe drink at home rather than heading out to the city’s pubs? To my knowledge, 2024 didn’t see the creation of any new physical breweries in Northern Ireland but in Dunmurry, Norn Iron Brew Co has become Bubble Brewing and in Fermanagh, Sheelin is now Whisht Brewing.
Many of your established favourites are still having a tough time. Their economic situation is precariously balanced, so if you do have a favourite brewery, keep on buying their beers.
So, to business in naming my favourites of 2024. Just like previous years, I’ll reiterate that I didn’t have every beer brewed so if your favourite isn’t on the list, that’s grand. Make your own list.
Northern Ireland New Beer of the Year: HUMBLE – OUR BREWERY & MODEST BEER
This was one of the tightest NI Golden Pints decisions in many years – there was a flea’s eyebrow width difference between Our Brewery’s wild lager collaboration with Modest Beer and Modest’s St. Patrick’s DIPA collaboration with everyone else. However, did you expect a lager to be best beer of the year? Didn’t think so. Neither did I two months ago to be fair but when I had it, I loved it. It’s not for everyone, granted, but if you think you’d enjoy a fresh, tangy lager that’s bursting with gooseberry and lemongrass zing after being aged in Chardonnay barrels then give it a go. What’s the worst that could happen?
Honourable mentions:
* St. Patrick’s (Double IPA) – Modest/Bullhouse/Lacada/Our Brewery
* Sweet As #3 (Brown Ale) – Modest
* Sweet As #4 (West Coast NZ IPA) – Modest
* Half Decent DIPA #2 Nectaron & Mosaic (Double IPA) – Modest
* Galaxy Full of Nectaron (Double IPA) – Beer Hut & Modest
* Hoisted Petard (Black IPA) – Lacada
Northern Ireland Brewery of the Year: MODEST BEER
It seems Chris Morris at Modest can do no wrong. His beers are excellent and everyone wants to be involved in a collaboration with him. When I first wrote about Modest in late 2019 he was just starting out in the commercial world and even at that early stage, it was obvious he would make a huge impression on the NI beer scene. He’s done that and more. His new 2024 beers, including collaborations, have all been mightily enjoyable while the Modest Beer core range remains consistent in quality and most importantly, worthy of being re-bought.
Irish But Not Northern Irish Beer of the Year: JACKRABBIT – KINNEGAR
“Are you mad, Roy? A ginger beer as a Beer of the Year?” I hear you scream. Indeed, yes, there have been many top quality brews across Ireland but Kinnegar’s Jackrabbit blew me away the first time I drank it. And the second time. First was in bottle and second, and even better, was on draught at the Belfast Beer and Cider Festival. I had great joy in recommending Jackrabbit so many times at the festival and everyone was surprised by it and loved it. So much so, it deservedly took the title of CAMRA’s Beer of the Festival. I want a ginger beer to give me actual ginger oomph and this does in spades – it’s a refreshing ginger sorbet in a glass.
Honourable mentions:
* Deja Vu (Hopfenweisse) – Eight Degrees
* Stupid Sexy Flanders (Flanders Red) – Third Barrel
* Tharapita (Imperial Baltic Porter) – Galway Bay
* Bech Bretha (Braggot) – Brehon
* Hello Sibling (BA Red Ale) – Otterbank
GB Beer of the Year: DEATH BY C.C.C 2024 – SIREN
Siren Craft Brew make some belting beers. The brewery is based in Berkshire, just west of London and in 2024 the owners started up a crowd funding initiative to open a new pub and restaurant nearby. Every year they launch new versions of their very popular Caribbean Chocolate range, this year including Chocolate Orange Tiramisu and Christmas Cake but the pinnacle was the Death by CCC. It’s an exceptionally indulgent and silky 12.2% ABV stout, akin to the fluffiest chocolate mousse you’ve ever had with Amburana wood adding a spicy, nutmeg-esque element swirled within.
Honourable mentions:
* Black Mirror (Imperial Stout) – Siren
* Burgundy BA Barleywine – Vocation
* Empress Tonkoko BA Buffalo Trace (Imperial Stout) – Brew York
* Big Stick Energy (Double IPA) – Indie Rabble
* Stocking Filler Nostalgia (Imperial Stout) – Azvex
Northern Ireland Pub of the Year: THE DOG AND DUCK INN, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh
Among the indie beer wilderness that is County Fermanagh, The Dog and Duck stands head and shoulders above all if you’re looking for something other than the usual macro suspects. Owners Margaret and John are great supporters of Irish breweries – you’ll usually find up to eight local beers on tap with four cask ciders – and their Outpost festival in August is now one of my must-go-to events of the year. The guys also have a whiskey distillery on site and, while you’re there, make sure you have a bite to eat from their fantastic menu.
Northern Ireland Independent Retailer of the Year: DC WINES, Belfast
Dave and Curtis at DC Wines have cemented their place in the local beer scene. Their Boucher Road shop always has an extensive range of cans from this tiny part of the world and you’re guaranteed a smile and a chat (if it’s quiet enough) when you walk through the door. A big shout out though to every bottle shop across Northern Ireland that’s creating shelf space for our local independent breweries.
I hope you have a healthy 2025. Thanks for reading my rubbish during the year, enjoy plenty of great beers and best wishes to all our local breweries, good beer pubs and independent stores.
Cheers and sláinte.
