Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair

The Irish craft beer offering has exploded in recent years and if you’re looking to try out some new flavours, check out the Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair – taking place at the Convention Centre from Thursday, 8 March, until Saturday, 10 March.

Over 50 companies will be exhibiting, with over 400 tasty brews on offer. It goes without saying no one should be making their way through all of them, but there are a few interesting flavours to try out. For example, Reel Deel Brewery from Knockalegan in Co Mayo will be showcasing its Juniper and Orange Ale, brewed in collaboration with James Brown Brews and a whiskey barrel-aged brown ale with Connacht Whiskey Company.

Rascal Brewing Company from Rathcoole in Dublin has a Bourbon Milkshake Stout aged in bourbon barrels, while Galway Hooker is launching a new honey beer.

Beer isn’t for everyone though and for the first time the event is now hosting a distillers quarter, showcasing the rise in craft spirits. Kinsale Mead Company, Ireland’s first producer of mead in many years, will be exhibiting for those that fancy a real taste of old Ireland and Ha’Penny Gin adds a new dimension to the Irish gin offering with its rhubarb gin. For details, visit www.alltechbrews.ie

The Spicier Side of Green Saffron

You can’t beat a hearty dinner of meat and two veg, but as a nation we have embraced the spicier side of life. Green Saffron from Cork has seriously upped the game when it comes to fine spices and sauces, with its founder Arun Kapil (an Anglo-Indian chef, food entrepreneur and spice expert) focusing on warming, colourful, comforting food, perfectly designed to boost your mood.

If you’re looking to embrace the bolder flavours of life, Arun is hosting a series of pop-ups and master classes in the coming months. He’ll be taking over the V’n V restaurant at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Dublin on 1 March. In celebration of the Hindu spring festival of Holi, it will be a creative and colourful family style sharing meal (€45 per person).

The sharing platters will be loaded with savoury treats like chana masala (the spicy, ginger-rich chickpea and tomato dish), aloo tikki (sizzling tomato-spiced potato cakes with tangy tomato relish) and fried pakoras (spinach, leek and cauliflower fritters), to name a few. The great thing about it is you can sample a little bit of everything to find what you like.

Arun will also be hosting a cookery demo in Midleton Educate Together School in East Cork on 15 March (€25 per person). For those looking forward to the West Waterford Food Festival (20-22 April), Arun Kapil, Eunice Power, Shane McGrath (The Cliff House Hotel) and Chris McGowan (Wine & Brine) will each be hosting a secret supper in unknown locations across the town of Dungarvan. www.greensaffron.com

A dog’s life at the Draft House Sligo

There is nothing like a good walk with the dog and grabbing a bite to eat afterwards to complete a good day out. We’ve come across a very cool pub in Co Sligo that welcomes all furry friends, the Draft House Gastro Pub in Strandhill.

While you’re feasting on a steamy pot of Carol’s seafood chowder or biting into the potato skins brimming with Fivemiletown’s goats cheese and Sheerin’s smoked bacon, your dog will be well looked after and snug in their private kennels.

You’re even given a tablet PC while you’re dining, with a video link to the kennel. A seriously genius idea to get people in the door. Visit www.thedrafthouse.ie

Ground & Co in Galway

When it comes to good food in Galway many head to the city, but you can’t beat a bit of sea air and Salthill is upping its offering, with the recent opening of Ground & Co café, located beside the Galway Aquarium. The café was inspired by entrepreneur Kevin Nugent’s trip to New Zealand, the land of the flat white and exceptional coffee cake.

However, the menu goes beyond the caffeine hit, with the kitchen being led by head chef Leroy Marshall. Breakfast favourites include eggs your way served with grilled tomato, feta cheese, flat cap mushroom and wilted greens, while lunch lovers can indulge in sourdough sandwiches with warm goats cheese, leaves, beetroot and balsamic, or Ali’s Fish Market butty on blaa with rocket and tartare. Visit www.groundandco.ie