Kinnegar Rustbucket Rye Ale
5.1% €3.50
Kinnegar was set up on a very nano basis in 2011 by partners Rick LeVert and Libby Carton. They built a more substantial brewery in 2013, based close to Rathmullan in Co Donegal. All of their beers (there are six) are bottled unfiltered and naturally carbonated. The Rustbucket, Libby tells me, is named in honour of their dog Rusty, who kicked the bucket (or sadly passed away) while they were first making this rye ale. It delivers a nice fresh hoppy punch with some malt and spice giving an extra interest.
Valpolicella Classico 2014 Az. Begali Lorenzo
12.5% €14.95
I love the lighter wines and I love good Valpolicella. These days too many tip in at 13.5 per cent or even 14 per cent. The Begali Lorenzo, from a small family estate, is a mere 12.5 per cent. It is juicy and very moreish, a wine to gulp rather than sip. Light plummy and tannin-free, with just the right amount of refreshing acidity, it is a thirst-quenching wine that tastes even better during the during the summer months. Serve cool, by itself or with all manner of salads, cold meats and cheese dishes. It would also sit very nicely with pizza and lighter pasta dishes.
Available from Whelehan's Wines, Loughlinstown
