Franciscan Well Launch Night

On Thursday night myself and the lady wife, who henceforth has demanded to be referred to as "TheBeerMistress", headed to Farrington's in Temple Bar. There was a launch night of Molson Coors new babies, The Franciscan Well's Shandon Stout and Rebel Red ale, and also Blue Moon and a new Blue Moon, called Valencia Grove Amber - a seasonal offering.

Anyway, having been an avid drinker of the Franciscan Well beers for many a year now - they've had their beers in the Bull & Castle and The Gingerman pubs for a good few years - we were curious to see what the launch night would be like.

It was a low-key affair, and the only reason we knew about it was a single line post on Facebook earlier in the day. No posters in the bar, and the first barman I spoke to forgot it was even on.

Anyway, we had a couple of different beers before the 7PM launch , then the lads (not big-boobed bimbos!) arrived with their beers, and interestingly, cheese to match.

The beers were presented in a stand, about a quarter pint each of the four beers between two of us.

From left to right these are Blue Moon Original, Blue Moon Valencia Grove Amber, Franciscan Well Rebel Red and Franciscan Well Shandon Stout. You can also see TheBeerMistress' handmade black and red scarf there in the background.

Blue Moon is Blue Moon, a nice enough brew. However, the new seasonal is not very nice. I don't know what they are trying to do here, but whatever it is, it's not working. It has less body than it's brother, an insipid mouthfeel and doesn't taste too good either.

On to the Ale and Stout.

Rebel Red is one of the best examples of the Irish Red Ale genre of beers. Gentle hoppiness and a decent malt character makes for a very drinkable ale. 

Shandon Stout is a very good stout too. A nice creaminess and a robust bitterness from the roasted malt in the background.

Both of these beers have been available for a good while, but with Molson Coors' recently acquiring the Franciscan Well brand, it's good to see them pushing the brews like this.

Special mention to the cheeses too, very well matched with the beers. There was a Cooleny Soft Cheese with Mushroom & Oak, Hegarty Farmhouse Cheddar and the standout was the Crozier Blue Cheese which turned drinking Shandon Stout from quaffing a very good stout to a hugely pleasurable flavoursome experience.

All in all a very good night in Farrington's, with some very good beers on show.