National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Brewing Communities => Maiden City Brewers => Topic started by: admin on December 15, 2013, 11:38:02 PM

Title: Derry -- any good?
Post by: admin on December 15, 2013, 11:38:02 PM
Never been there. Considering a trip there over the Christmas break with the missus.

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Title: Re: Derry -- any good?
Post by: irish_goat on December 16, 2013, 08:54:29 AM
I love Derry, would definitely recommend it.

There's plenty of history, you can tour the walls, the Bogside and the murals and the Tower Museum and Guildhall are decent. Plus you can take a drive out to Grianan of Aileach, an old 6th/7th century fort in Donegal, the views from up there are amazing. And the drive round Inishowen takes in some of nicest scenery in the country. Further afield you could spend a day at the Giant's Causeway and visit Bushmills distillery as well.

Only thing I'm not mad on is the pub choices, apart from Wetherspoons there's very few places you can get a decent pint. In saying that, pints of cask in Wetherspoons will cost you €2.25 and you can use your CAMRA vouchers. When's the last time you paid that for a pint down south? You'll find Hilden bottles in a few places but that's kind of it.

In saying all that as well, I'd maybe recommend coming here when the weather is nicer as at the minute it's pretty cold and windy.
Title: Re: Derry -- any good?
Post by: irish_goat on December 16, 2013, 09:32:36 AM
Decent enough.

Few of the nicer ones would be.

http://www.queensquaysocial.com/  (sells Muckish Mountain bottles, apparently)
http://brownsrestaurant.com/
http://customhouserestaurant.com/
http://www.lasostarestaurant.co.uk/ (don't be put off by the website, this is one of Derry's top rated restaurants)
Title: Re: Derry -- any good?
Post by: Tom on December 16, 2013, 10:29:54 AM
Grand central bar just off strand road has a lovely pint of Boston lager on tap.
Sandinos has usual selection of east European pils. Svytrys extra  is nice.

There is some history knocking about too.
Title: Re: Derry -- any good?
Post by: irish_goat on December 16, 2013, 10:32:44 AM
Grand Central and Sandinos would be my usual haunts. Can get bottles of Scullion's in the Central (keep asking them to get Twisted Hop in) and Sandinos has Schneider Weisse too.  :)
Title: Re: Derry -- any good?
Post by: Qs on January 06, 2015, 07:42:15 PM
Heading to Derry on a stag this weekend. Any where that hasn't been mentioned already good to sneak off to for a decent few pints?

Hows that Derry brewery coming, is their beer available much?
Title: Re: Derry -- any good?
Post by: irish_goat on January 07, 2015, 09:44:16 AM
Since my last post the Grand Central has gotten Kinnegar Scraggy Bay on tap as well as a few of their bottles. They also have bottles of Punk and Dead Pony.

Pints of cask ale in Wetherspoons are now £1.29 (€1.64) and they also have a decent bottle selection (Hilden, McGraths, Whitewater, Laguintas, Punk IPA). You should bring them all there just to see how ridiculous all the prices are anyway.

If you're looking for a late night bar with music/dancing/girls etc then the Metro is decent and has a few Hilden bottles. Otherwise, it's slim pickings.

No local Derry beer for sale yet unfortunately.
Title: Re: Derry -- any good?
Post by: Tom on January 07, 2015, 10:59:04 AM
Everything Thomas says is true, except the bit about the Metro!  :P
Title: Re: Derry -- any good?
Post by: Qs on January 07, 2015, 11:39:28 AM
Good stuff. Shouldn't be too hard to get people in to Wetherspoons for cheap pints.