Beer in Western Ireland?

[Oktober]

BNers,

I've got a business trip coming up in a few weeks where I'll be heading for Western Ireland (Limerick, Galway) for 5-7 days. I have yet to find any good resources that describe the beer scene over there, so I wanted to ask if anyone has any suggestions beer destinations to check out (besides the ever-present Guiness). If I recall, Ireland has tax laws that are unfavorable toward new, small breweries, but there have got to be some out there.

Please let me know your thoughts!

Thanks!

-Okt

[spiderwrangler]

Pub Guide (doesn't mention much about the beer though) http://blog.goireland.com/2010/01/19/pubs-in-limerick/#axzz1qFDoy8x9

Article about Irish micros, apparently on the rise since 2005 http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/travel/18journeys.html?pagewanted=all

Another article with a list of ten micros in Ireland (no idea on distribution) http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/real-ales-irish-style-a-pub-crawl-around-the-microbreweries-420234.html

You also might have good luck with this site http://www.beoir.org/

[trouble brewin]

Found the Biddy Early Brewery while traveling over there in 2008 and really liked it. Really good session beers that incorporated local ingredients and great food. I heard that they closed, but can't find current info online. They still maintain a place-holder website.

http://www.beb.ie/

Other than that it was mostly drinking Guinness and Powers with the locals.

[San_Diego_Matt]

I've been in Belfast for the past week and we've found Belfast Ale, Belfast Lager and Belfast Black by white water brewing that has been good. We also came across a beer at a pub here called McHughs 300 celebrating the 300th anniversary of the pub. It's a very light/thin beer but has a ton of Amarillo hops in it and it is very good.

I also had a beer called McGraths Irish Red that was pretty good too. Other than these locals we've been powering through the Guinness, Smithwicks and the new Smithwicks Pale Ale that is very good.

Not sure how far you're going to be from Belfast, but I would expect you'll be able to find some local beers to try

Have fun!

[spiderwrangler]

Matt, your avatar is distracting. That is all.