Meet Master Brewer Liam Hanlon from St Mels Brewing Company.

Prepare be converted to craft with master Brewer Liam Hanlon from St Mel’s Brewing Company.

Longford’s finest will be well represented in Killarney this May 26 -28.

When was the company Founded / By Whom St. Mel’s Brewing Company was founded in 2013 by Liam Hanlon and Eoin Tynan, the first brew went on in May 2014. How did you become a Brewer? I studied Biotechnology in Maynooth and then went on to study a Masters in Brewing and Distilling Science in Heriot Watt in Edinburgh. In between I worked at Dublin Brewing Company. After my Masters I went to Carlow Brewing Company as Head Brewer. How was it Developed/Grown? We started distributing just locally, then regionally. We are now stocked in supermarkets such as Supervalu, Centra, Dunnes Stores and Aldi and are just about to ship our first container to the USA. How many products do you currently produce and what are they? We have 4 beers in our Core range, an IPA, a Brown Ale, a Pale Ale and a Helles Lager. We also do a seasonal range including a Raisin and Oatmeal Stout, Spring Bock, Beer Garden Wit and an Autumn IPA. Which beer was your first craft beer? Maeve’s Crystal Beer by Dublin Brewing Company What is you most recent product development? We have a whole black label range planned that we can now put into action having expanded our production capacity at the start of this year…hoping to have the first of these at Killarney. How do you decide on new beers to brew? It could be that there is a gap in our portfolio but usually it’s because we want to have a go at a particular style or we have had an idea we want to try out. What’s the style most fun to brew? Couldn’t pick one out, the ones that are fun to drink aren’t always the ones that are fun to brew…and vice versa! If there were a beer that you could brew with no regards to cost or production or sales, what would it be and why? It would probably be an Eisbier because you certainly couldn’t brew it commercially with due regard to any of the above. If you’re not drinking your own beer, what’s your favourite to drink? I rarely get an opportunity to explore any more. There was a time when I could discuss, with authority, every craft beer available in Ireland but that time has passed and now there is such a diversity of style and flavours it is almost impossible to select one beer or brewery above others. Since the festival is in Killarney I will say that Killarney Brewing do some excellent beers, their Helles Lager is almost as good as ours! What’s your favourite food to eat with beer? Nice strong cheese. What are the biggest impediments to the growth of craft beer? The Brewers themselves. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why? It has to be Carlow Brewing Company. Dublin Brewing was where I first learned about craft beer but Carlow was where I learned the business and the craft. To be able to play a small part in their success before I set out on my own was a privilege. What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry? Learn the craft and the business before diving in. Mistakes in this business are expensive. Are you looking forward to our Festival this month? To be honest, with all the lovely people, reasonable prices, superb beer, great food and music offering and beautiful location next to all the scenery and amenities that Killarney has to offer, I can’t understand why people bother using the convenient public transport services to attend at all! Where can someone find your beers? All over the Midlands, good independent off licenses around Dublin, select restaurants and bars in Dublin and all good Supervalu and Centra stores, Aldi and Dunnes stores around the country.

Tickets

1 day pass

26th May 17

Buy only the tickets

€15

Buy now

1 day pass

27th May 17

Buy only the tickets

€15

Buy now

1 day pass

28th May 17

Buy only the tickets

€15

Buy now

Meet Master Brewer Liam Hanlon from St Mels Brewing Company. - INEC Killarney