Food & Drink

Craft Beer: The Mourne Supremacy

Spectre is 4.1 per cent dry Irish stout - and also the name of a James Bond movie
Spectre is 4.1 per cent dry Irish stout - and also the name of a James Bond movie Spectre is 4.1 per cent dry Irish stout - and also the name of a James Bond movie

It seems like such a long time ago in a dream week for the Irish, but the Oscars delivered much-lauded local success.

Then came Cheltenham, St Patrick's Day and Grand Slam success for the country's rugby stars and you couldn't have written a better script for this multi-shaded green island.

Of course, we have much to be proud off when it comes to our beer makers too. Irish brewers have delighted tastebuds and home and abroad and they are very much the movie stars of their own independent production.

Mourne Mountains Brewery are no stranger to an 'Oscar' or two, having seen their beers bestowed with a few awards down the years. 

And to continue the cinematic theme, two of their most recent releases are also the names of two movies.

First up is Spectre, a title of the last but one James Bond offering. MMB's Spectre is neither shaken or stirred (well, except in the mash tun of course) which is just as well as it's a dry Irish stout which comes in a 440ml.

It was my own personal choice of 'black stuff' to toast St Patrick's Day, having been released to coincide with the festive day, but unlike the green hair dye and big pot of stew, will likely be around a bit longer than March 17.

It pours a jet black color in the glass with a tan head and there are sweet, beady aromas coming from it. 

Billed as a dry Irish stout, you pretty much know what you are in for, but I was pleasantly surprised by the rich, chocolate notes of this one. There's that little bit of spice you get from well roasted barely and the dry finish, but there's a degree of luxury about this one which makes it a welcome Spectre at any feast (in my case, it was aforementioned big pot of stew).

Cabin Fever - the perfect drink for when you're stuck in the house all day
Cabin Fever - the perfect drink for when you're stuck in the house all day Cabin Fever - the perfect drink for when you're stuck in the house all day

Packing a bit more of a punch was Cabin Fever, an 8 per cent double IPA which shares a name with a multi-sequeled horror slasher movie.

Even though this one clocks in at a hefty 8 per cent, there's little to fear from this one. It pours a slightly darker, murkier amber colour in the glass, kind of like the thick fog of the forest where the cabin might reside.

That contributes to a thick mouthfeel and a bolder malt profile than your normal IPA. It's crammed full of sweet, juicy flavors, with a pronounced taste of tangerines and nectarine coming through.