Dungarvan Brewing Company is located in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford on the south east coast of Ireland, producing a range of fantastic bottle-conditioned craft beers. The brewery was founded by two brothers in law Cormac O’Dwyer and Tom Dalton along with their respective partners.

It's hard to believe they've only been around since spring 2010, given the way their beers have blazed a trail through the Irish drinks market.

Their range consists of three beers. As stated all three are bottle conditioned which means that they are naturally carbonated. They also unfiltered leaving a naturally brewed beer full of flavour and depth.

Black Rock Irish Stout:
This stout has already been awarded a bronze medal in the Brewing Industry International Awards 2011. Full flavoured and smooth, it is made from roasted barley which gives a rich, almost chocolate-y flavour, and there's notes of spicy vanilla and aniseed too. Quite simply one of the best Irish stouts out there. Excellent with mussels of course.

Copper Coast Red Ale:
This is a fruity, smooth and gentle ale with a very distinctive copper colour. Crystal malt is used in the brewing process with an added hop balanced, which I am told "is not always present in red ales, and which balances the sweetness of the caramel flavours." Yeah? Well we think it is just delicious. It appeals even to those who generally don't drink ales. Recommended to drink with game.

Helvick Gold Blonde Ale:
This ale certainly packs a punch. It is fruity with citrus undertones with a strong hoppy bitterness at the finish. It is said to be more challenging that the other two beers ... "more for the discerning beer drinker." Well we love it! It's a delightfully refreshing beer. Perfect for a summer's day and great with chargrilled meats as well as spicy food.

So that's the Dungarvan Brewing Company ... a small brewery producing fantastic beers and punching way about their weight.

The Black Rock Stout is a fantastic stout on its own but it's also great for cooking with due to it's robust character. I'll be posting a recipe for Black Rock Stout Beef Casserole in the next day or so. In the meantime get on down here or to you local off license and check out the Dungarvan range of beers.