Craft Beer of the Week: Brú Rua

Another long weekend ahead! How lucky are we? Hopefully the weather will cop on in time and we’ll get another deadly weekend just like the one we had for Easter. You really gotta love Dublin when the weather is nice. So many different things to do and so many different ways to enjoy a few beers on a nice day. With this week’s Craft Beer of the Week, I’m making it extra easy for you. Wherever you live in this fair city, you can pick up this beer within a few minutes’ walk from yer gaff. It’s available not only in pubs and off licenses, but also in your local SuperValu and Centra! Meet your official May Bank Holiday Weekend Beer.

Brú Brewery was set up in July of last year by Paddy Hurley and Daire Harlin. It’s located in Trim, Co. Meath. Their mission is to offer Irish beer drinkers a greater choice in craft beer and they place great emphasis on using the best ingredients such as full leaf cone hops and Irish malts, and supporting the local economy.

They brew a lager, a stout, a pale ale and Brú Rua, a red ale. This is what they have to say about Brú Rua: “This beer was named after the mythical warrior Cú Chulainn who was born by the River Boyne at Newgrange, in County Meath. The name for our brewery, ‘Brú’ is derived from the Irish for Newgrange, ‘Brú Na Boinne’, meaning ‘Place on the Boyne’. Cú Chulainn was also a passionate champion at hurling. We share his love for the good things in life, including Irish sport and quality Irish craft beer.” The good things in life, huh? Perfect for long weekends then!

Brú Rua pours a ruby amber colour with a medium white head. The aroma is malty and fruity with a bit of caramel. In the taste there are hops with hints of red berries and biscuity malt. It’s quite hoppy for a red ale, but nowhere near as hoppy an IPA. Those who find IPAs too bitter will love this beer because the caramel and biscuit flavours are at the forefront here.

Brú Rua is delicious and moreish, and at 4.2% it’s a perfect session beer.

What more could you ask for on a long weekend? Head to the pub and get this on tap. Pick it up in your local off license. Or pop into a SuperValu or Centra on your way home from work today and stock up for the weekend. And don’t forget to let me know what you thought in the Comments section below or on Twitter. Enjoy!