Famously known for its Guinness and Harp beer there has also been a boom in craft beer and Northern Ireland plays a formidable part in the craft beer scene.
Craft beers are becoming more popular with many local breweries popping up all over the country to delight your taste buds with cleverly crafted beers for any beer enthusiast.
Here are eight Northern Irish craft beers to enjoy and where to find them.
5. Bullhouse Brew Co
The story of Bullhouse Brew Co began back in 2011, when founder Willy Mayne got a taste for great beer on a road trip around the west coast of the US with his brother. Bullhouse Brew Co opened Belfast’s first permanent brewery taproom (Bullhouse East) in June 2022, a pivotal moment of change in the local beer industry. They now sell our beer throughout Northern Ireland, GB, the Republic of Ireland, France, Italy and the Netherlands. With 20 taps of original and quirky craft beers such as ‘Yeast Belfast’ a super fresh, tasty low juicy table beer for all weathers and ‘Dubfast’ containing berry, bubblegum and citrus flavours, there is something for everyone at Bullhouse Brew Co. Why not visit the taproom at Bullhouse East or go to their website here to check out their tasty craft beers on bullhousebrewco.com? Photo: Bullhouse Brew Co via Facebook
6. Whitewater Brewery
Established 1996 on the fifth generation family farm amidst the spectacular Mourne Mountains, Whitewater Brewery still retains the passion and desire to brew beers with fantastic flavours. Belfast Lager is a fan favourite on the craft beer scene. Crisp and fully flavoured this continental style premium lager is brewed with the finest Saaz hops, rich in aroma and taste. You can find Belfast Lager in The John Hewitt bar in Belfast or on their website at whitewaterbrewery.com Photo: Whitewater Brewing Company via Facebook
7. Hillstown Brewery
The initial brewery, which is based on a family farm near Randalstown in county Antrim, was for agricultural use feeding cattle until the owners decided to expand into the exciting craft beer sector. The brewery produces a unique range of craft beers. From Massey Red Ales to The Squealing Pig IPA. All the brewing operations are carried out on the farm and can be seen by visitors. You can find many of the Hillstown Brewery beers in your local bars and The Vintage Wine Merchants across the country. Photo: Hillstown Brewery via Facebook
8. Lacada Brewery
Lacada is a family-run brewery based in Portrush, the North Coast. It began with a father and son brewing together and grew to become a group of co-operative minded, good beer-loving aficionados. From their mixed fruit sours, ‘Shallows’ which is a tart, refreshing and easy-drinking sour ale brewed with additions of sour cherry and raspberry, soured with a unique yeast strain, to their, Irish pale ales, ‘Rathlin Gold’, a malty, floral, and herbal beer brewed with noble hops and heritage malts. Lacada’s craft beers are bursting with history and personality. The Reporter Bar in Belfast proudly pours Lacada Beer and you can also find them on www.lacadabrewery.com Photo: Lacada Brewery via Facebook