Brehon Brewhouse is set amongst the rolling drumlins of Patrick Kavanagh country in County Monaghan – hence the inspiration for the names of their Stony Grey IPA and Shanco Dubh porter. Open since April 2014 but already in the process of expanding, they are a true farmhouse brewery, based right on their farm outside of Carrickmacross in one of the old sheds behind their milking parlour.
As owners Seamus and Siobhán McMahon say themselves, ‘Our ambition is simple: we want to produce distinctive beers that reflect the trend towards all things craft and artisan. We hope to see these regularly paired with food but also very much enjoyed on their own.’ The emphasis on pairing beer with food comes from head brewer Phil Bizzell, who worked at the renowned L. Mulligan Grocer gastropub in Dublin, where his special interest was beer and food matching.
They currently produce a core range of four beers: Brehon Blonde, Killanny Red, Stony Grey IPA and Ulster stout. Seasonal and speciality beers include Shanco Dubh porter, Fiesta pale ale and Crann Beatha (aged in whiskey barrels). You can find their beers in more than 30 on-trade and off-trade outlets in Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Dublin too.
If you’d like to get your hands on a bottle but don’t live in one of those counties, you can find it on some of the online Dublin off-licences that will deliver it directly to your door. Keep an eye out for it on draught. Or contact them to arrange a brewery tour and sampling session at their small on-site bar.
