Four Irish craft ciders to try with your dinner, or on their own

I bumped into Olan McNeece of Dan Kelly’s at The Big Grill Festival recently. Tasting through his range reminded me just how much I love good Irish craft cider. I have been enjoying Cockagee regularly during the warm weather, and Ciderkin if I’m thirsty, but there are plenty of other options.

While Irish craft beer and spirits rightly receive plenty of publicity, craft cider is arguably the most Irish product of all, made exclusively from Irish apples, often old heritage varieties. The orchards were traditionally to be found in Armagh, Kilkenny, and Tipperary but today’s producers are scattered around the country. According to Bord Bia, craft cider accounts for just 2.2 per cent of cider consumption in the State, largely because we have a ready demand for the large medium-dry brands that dominate the market. (It is worth noting that Bulmers sources all its apples in Ireland.)

To make cider, the harvested fruit is crushed and the juice fermented like a wine. Our apple growers also produce an eclectic range of interesting apple-based drinks, including some excellent apple brandies. I will return to these later in the autumn. In the meantime, I would recommend trying out an Irish craft cider, and not just when the sun is out. Food-wise, I find cider goes very well with pork, chicken, firm cheeses, dishes with creamy sauces and savoury pancakes.

In addition to these four featured Irish ciders, I would recommend David Llewellyn, Stonewell, Killahora Johnny Fall Down, Mac Ivors, Longueville, Craigies, Con’s Irish Cider and Maddens. David Llewellyn and Killahora also produce a very fine sparkling perry, which is made from pears.

Four Irish craft ciders to try with your dinner, or on their own

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Ciderkin Irish Cider

4%, €4.50 for a 500ml bottle

This is a delicious thirst-quenching crisp fresh cider with cleansing apple fruits.

Donnybrook Fair; McHugh’s, Dublin 5; The Cru.ie; McEntee, Kells, Co Meath; Carryout; Martin’s, Dublin 3

Viking Harvest Blush Craft Cider

5.5%, €5 for a 500ml bottle

Lightly sparkling with delicious tangy ripe raspberries and orchard fruits. Try it with white meats and desserts or on its own.

Worldwide Wines, Waterford; Ardkeen, Waterford; Centra, Dunmore Road, Waterford; Harbour Stores, Dunmore East: Quish’s SuperValu Tramore; Bradley’s Cork

Dan Kelly’s Original Cider

4.5%, €5.45 for a 500ml bottle

A classic craft cider with refreshing, nicely textured orchard fruits, a crisp acidic backbone and a dry finish. Drink by itself or with cheese and charcuterie.

Redmonds, Dublin 6; Baggot Street Wines, Dublin 2; Drinkstore, Dublin 7; Martin’s, Dublin 3; McHughs, Dublin 5 and many independents