Best Stout in the World (again)

by Diane Duane

Yes, Uncle Arthur is muttering under his breath tonight. Again.

I’m mentioning this at all because the Porterhouse has been a favored hangout of ours since it first opened in the wilds of County Wicklow, down Bray way. (They started microbrewing long before others perceived that it was cool to do so. It was always a matter of passion with these guys.)

Their sempiternal and usually goodnatured rivalry with Guinness has become the matter of legend in Dublin: for this is the only bar in Dublin city that does not serve Guinness. Because it doesn’t need to. It has stouts of its own, thankyouverymuch.

The Plain is a lovely stout, and always has been. (Though of all their beers, my favorite is the Oyster Stout.)

…Anyway, that noise you hear out at the edge of Dublin, over by Heuston Station? Just Uncle Arthur’s teeth grinding. Again. The last time this happened, sources close to Uncle Arthur dismissed it as a fluke. This time? Not so much. The growling is echoing up and down the Liffey.

From the Porterhouse’s press release…

The Porterhouse Awarded the Gold Medal at “The Brewing Oscars.”

The Porterhouse Brewing Company has been awarded the much sought after gold medal at the Brewing Industry International Awards, dubbed “The Brewing Oscars” which took place in Burton-Upon-Trent. Their famous stout, Plain Porter has come up trumps a second time after winning the award previously in 1998 two years after The Porterhouse began brewing in their microbrew-pub in Temple Bar. The awards, structured into 9 categories with 32 classes, medals are difficult to win and therefore every win is that much more prestigious.

The winning stout for dark beer category, Plain Porter has an ABV of 4.2% and possesses a complex malt bill amounting to an excess of five malt types and have created a modern tasting stout. While having a distinct roast malt character, it by no means overwhelms the drinker and coupled with the discerning use of hops the beer has a pleasant bitter quality. East Kent Goldings lend the beer a pleasant hop aroma.

The Brewing Industry International Awards has maintained the highest standards throughout its history, encouraging innovation and diversity in beer whilst rewarding the best beers in the world. Organised since 1886, it is the oldest and most truly international beer competition.

The competitions are focussed upon seeking excellence in brewing and rewarding it across all styles of commercially brewed beer.  The winning beers are awarded medals and trophies from the world’s most professional tasting panel, comprised exclusively of experienced brewers. Commenting on the award, Porterhouse Master Brewer Peter Mosley said, “We’re delighted to have won this award again and remain dedicated to brewing quality beer for our loyal customers. The judges must have realised, when you’re feeling tired and wan, a pint of plain is yer’ only man with due deference to Flann O’Brien.” The awards ceremony will take place in Guild Hall in City of London on April 12th where medals will be presented to winners of all categories and the trophy winners will be announced.

Ends:

For further information, please contact:

Fiona Roche
+353 86 1644447
Fiona@theporterhouse.ie

Editor’s Notes:

  • The Porterhouse first opened in Bray 1989.
  • By 1996, they had expanded into Temple Bar with the first microbrew-pub in Dublin.
  • Brewing in excess of nine beers, three stouts, three ales and three lagers as well as some guest beers.
  • They opened their first bar in London’s trendy Covent Garden in 2000.
  • The brewery moved to a larger premises in Ballycoolin in order to cope with demand for its product.
  • By 2004 they opened an Porterhouse North in Glasnevin
  • December 2004 they acquired Judge Roy Bean’s, now The Porterhouse Central and prestigious members’ club, Lillie’s Bordello.
  • Installed a new bottling line in the brewery with a capacity to bottle over 2000 bottles per hour.
  • Not ones for resting on their laurels, they decided to participate in Shanghai Expo 2010, dubbed the Economic Olympics.
  • Opened in Fraunces Tavern/The Porterhouse New York in The Financial District in January of this year.
  • The brewery now comprises of 65 hectolitre brewlength brewing approximately 4-5 times per week. The bottling line was installed in 2010 and has the capacity to bottle approximately 2000 bottles per hour.

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5 comments

Sophia Katt May 6, 2011 - 3:52 am

Oh, dear. I am glad that you have a good local with beer that you like–this is one of life’s necessities. But I have just looked at the awards list and any group that gives gold to Sierra Nevada Ale and Samuel Adams is not All That Smart About Beer. Sorry!

Signed, a Seattle girl who likes her brew, too!

Sophia Katt May 6, 2011 - 3:52 am

Oh, dear. I am glad that you have a good local with beer that you like–this is one of life’s necessities. But I have just looked at the awards list and any group that gives gold to Sierra Nevada Ale and Samuel Adams is not All That Smart About Beer. Sorry!

Signed, a Seattle girl who likes her brew, too!

John Duffy May 6, 2011 - 9:26 am

The wonderful L. Mulligan. Grocer in Stoneybatter also lacks a Guinness tap, with three or four Irish craft stouts instead, including one from The Porterhouse.

John Duffy May 6, 2011 - 9:26 am

The wonderful L. Mulligan. Grocer in Stoneybatter also lacks a Guinness tap, with three or four Irish craft stouts instead, including one from The Porterhouse.

John Duffy May 6, 2011 - 9:26 am

The wonderful L. Mulligan. Grocer in Stoneybatter also lacks a Guinness tap, with three or four Irish craft stouts instead, including one from The Porterhouse.

Comments are closed.

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