Wicklow Wolf American Brown Kentucky Common
€3.69-€3.75 for a 500ml bottle - 4.8%
When co-owners Quincy Fennelly and Simon Lynch imported American brewer Peter Reynier from Colorado, he was very keen to make an Old Kentucky Common, a beer that is all the rage in the US. Quincy wasn’t convinced so they made a test batch of 150 litres for the taproom.
It was a huge success and is now part of the regular Wicklow Wolf range. "90 per cent of people love it, 10 per cent hate it, with no one in the middle" according to Quincy, "but 90 per cent is good enough for me."
Light in flavour and alcohol, with sweet dark malt and caramel, and a mild hoppy kick. And no, there isn’t any bourbon in it.
Viñas del Vero 2013, Somontano
€9.00 - 12.5%
Viñas del Vero is one of the leading producers in Somontano. You may not have heard of this region, but the Spanish regard their white wines very highly and are happy to pay top dollar. Probably because of the economic woes in Spain, a few supermarkets have been able to snap up parcels of very decent wine at bargain prices.
Last autumn, Lidl had a very tasty Somontano Chardonnay on sale for €7, and now Dunnes Stores have this blend of three grapes for a mere €9.
Light well-made refreshing wine with zesty yellow fruits; one to drink solo, with fish, salads or chicken. There is a very gluggable red too, all part of the Mediterranean wine sale that runs until 27th April.
