LCBO Food and Drink Spring 2016

GALWAY OYSTERS WITH MIGNONETTE SAUCE

recipe on page 104

IRISH BEERS AND CIDERS

Craft brewing is growing in Ireland, but the big names still hold sway

It must be the most famous beer in the world. Sir Arthur Guinness began brew- ing in Dublin in 1759 and the company has grown ever since, almost as famous for its brilliant advertisements as for its iconic stout. Dark roasted barley in the recipe makes the beer black and gives it that characteristic burnt coffee and choco- late flavour. The surprise is that Guinness Draught ( LCBO 270447, 500 mL, $2.95) is light-bodied, dry and refreshing—a fine session beer and wonderful with oysters and nippy cheese.    Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale ( LCBO 442731, 4-pk, $10.95) is also brewed by Guinness, though its history goes back to the 14th cen- tury. Amber-coloured, it offers malty sweet- ness with a slight bitter edge and a smooth creamy texture. Smithwick’s Premium Red Ale ( LCBO 270439, 500 mL, $2.50), brewed since 1710, is a classic example of an Irish red with a nutty, toasty aroma and just enough floral hops to refresh its malty body.    There are 17 varieties of apple in vat- matured Magners Original Irish Cider ( LCBO 699389, 500 mL, $3.10). It’s delight- fully balanced, neither too sweet nor too dry, and tastes of nothing but ripe yellow apples. Use it for the syrupy sauce for the Kerry Apple Cake on page 69 and serve it alongside, too. The textures and intensity levels are so different but the flavours are the same, making a sparklingly refresh- ing, apple-to-apple match. Magners Pear Cider ( LCBO 279646, 500 mL, $3.20) is also exemplary, providing great refresh- ment on a warm spring day.

64  FOOD & DRI NK SPRING 2016