Northern Ireland – Year of Food & Drink
Northern Ireland’s Year of Food & Drink has got off to a fantastic start and with April being “Brewing, Distilling & Cider-Making” month we wanted to take a quick look at some of the events and activities going on around us.
If you’re around the Fermanagh area make sure and pop into the Lough Erne where they have a delicious special on for April- “Armagh apple crumble, Glastry Farm Irish Whiskey Ice-Cream” and our delicious Medium Cider on draught. The perfect treat!
To start off the month we had a local food sampling and cookery demonstration in Tesco Newry, to coincide with Tesco’s “Local Beer, Cider & Spirits month”. There will be plenty of #TasteLocal events happening in Tesco NI so be sure to keep an eye out.
( https://www.facebook.com/tastenorthernireland/ )
A gorgeous day was had in the Argory courtyard for the first of the year’s line-up of Good Food Markets last Saturday. From Mac Ivors to waffles, cupcakes to chutneys, soda bread to fudge, there was something for everyone! Greg, our cider-maker gave a little talk on “Making Cider with Heart and Soul” showcasing the history of apple growing and cider making in Armagh. Then Áine Boyle, proprietor of Áine’s kitchen gave a fantastic demonstration making a delicious soup and a chicken dish incorporating our ciders into the recipes. A fun filled day for all the family.
Another fantastic family day was had then in Castle Archdale with a cider, beer & crisp tasting set up with our cider, Pokertree Brewery and Tayto crisps- what more was needed!!
Something to look forward to in a fortnight then of course is the Belfast Craft Beer & Cider festival at Custom House Square-Belfast’s largest celebration of Irish craft brewing. There will be live music, a silent disco, delicious Irish artisan food, over 150 beers, fantastic cider, whiskeys and a few cocktails to boot! It’s going to be a cracker!
http://www.belfastcraftbeerfest.com/#main
That’s only a hint of what is happening in Northern Ireland this month so be sure to check out the NI Good Food website with loads more goings on!!
