MICHAEL DUFFY,
Madam, - For the greatest part of the 1900s, up until 2001, Smithwick's Barley Wine was brewed and sold on this island. It was always a niche market beer, but had a fairly constant market up until the last few years. With the drop in sales, and the decision to close the Macardles Brewery in Dundalk, Guinness Group Ireland Ltd. decided to cease brewing the beer.
I have been a fan of Smithwick's Barley Wine for the past 15 years, and can vouch for the fact that it was the best quality ale available here in Ireland, with a malty flavour and high gravity (5.5 per cent alc.), both unique to beers available here. Unbelievably, over the past 20 years, at least, no effort was ever made by the owners of the brand to advertise it in any shape or form. As a result, even in the small number of pubs where it was available, customers would say to me "what's that you're drinking? what does it taste like? / what's it made from?".
Given the amazing interest in this country now from the younger generation in continental bottled beers, it strikes me as madness that the most interesting beer brewed here has been taken off the market. I was advised by a colleague of mine recently to try out the famous Belgian beer, Chimay Blue Label, because "it was the best beer" he drank on his travels in Belgium. I tried it out (no problem, given its availability in several off-licences in Dublin). I can honestly say, hand on heart, that in a tasting competition, Smithwicks Barley Wine would beat it hands down. The mind boggles as to why SBW could not be repackaged and aimed at the younger generation with the publicity needed to back it up. Maybe one of our microbreweries might take up the challenge.
All this country can do for the moment, is say farewell to one of our greatest beers ever - Smithwicks Barley Wine, RIP. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL DUFFY, James's Road, Walkinstown, Dublin 12.