Doolin ready to get its round in

Munich attracts hundreds of thousands of people annually to its OktoberFest. Now the North Clare village of Doolin is hoping to imitate the German success by hosting its own Craft Beer Festival.
The festival, which will take place in August, was announced on Monday at the launch of Ireland’s newest domestically brewed beer.
Actors who play the bar staff at Fair City’s fictional McCoy’s Pub and Station Bar were on hand to launch the festival and Dooliner Beer, an Irish red ale which master brewer Cuilan Loughnane has brewed by special request for Fitzpatrick’s Bar at Hotel Doolin. Dooliner Beer also is available at the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point, Hotel Doolin’s sister property.
According to hotelier John Burke “the event will showcase the best of Irish Craft Beers, featuring 15 different beers from the best micro-breweries in Ireland”.
“Independent craft beers are becoming increasingly popular in Ireland and we have partnered with a company who have run this event successfully in Dublin. This is the first time a festival like this will be held outside of Dublin and is a great opportunity for Doolin. It is also a great fit for Doolin as the village is nationally and internationally renowned for its famous pubs and music. We hope that the event could become an annual event and that it becomes synonymous with Doolin in much the same way as the Oyster Festival in Clarinbridge,” Mr Burke continued.
Doolin Craft Beer Festival will take place from August 24 to 26 and is the first festival of its kind to be held outside of Dublin.
Donal Minihane, general manager, Hotel Doolin, said he hopes the launch of Dooliner and the upcoming Craft Beer Festival will promote awareness of independent breweries around the country.
“As with the food we serve in our restaurant and bar we also feel that we should be supporting indigenous suppliers when it comes to beers and there is no shortage of quality there. We stock a large range of Irish Craft Beers in Fitzpatrick’s Bar and we have seen a great response from our customers particularly our foreign guests who want to sample local beers rather than beers they can get in their own country. Following on from this we developed our own beer ‘Dooliner Beer’, which has proved extremely popular with both locals and tourists alike.
“Nowadays, it’s not just about slapping a pint of lager up on the counter and walking off, customers want to know where the beer comes from, what’s in it, how it is made and the history behind it,” he said.
Mr Minihane added that Hotel Doolin is a strong supporter of artisan food and drink producers having recently opened the Doolin Pantry that showcases the work of some of North Clare’s artisan producers. The annual Doolin Craft Beer Festival will take place on the grounds of Hotel Doolin from August 24 to 26.