Northern Ireland companies at Alltech Brews and Food Fair

Three craft cider producers and a brewery from Northern Ireland are taking part in the fifth annual Alltech Brews and Food Fair in Dublin from 23-25 February.

The event, which is being held in Dublin's Convention Centre is Ireland's largest craft brewing event and has attracted over 60 beers and ciders from the island of Ireland as well as Europe and the US. The event attracts over 10,000 craft beer and cider enthusiasts.

The Northern Ireland participants are Station Works Brewery, Newry, county Down, producer of Foxes Rock beers and ales; Long Meadow Cider, Loughgall, county Armagh, a producer of a range of award-winning ciders; MacIvor's Cider, Portadown, county Armagh, a producer of range of traditional Irish ciders and flavoured ciders and Tempted Cider, Lisburn, county Antrim, a producer of traditional and flavoured ciders and apple juice.

The event, organised by Kentucky-based Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company, features The Dublin Craft Beer Cup and the Dublin Craft Cider Cup, two unique competitions which allow craft brewers and cider makers to showcase their brews, to have them tasted, rated and analysed by an expert, international panel of judges.

Head Judge Dr. Gearóid Cahill, a brewmaster with almost 20 years' experience, says: "The standard of craft brewing in Ireland and internationally is rising all the time. There is great interest among brewers in achieving independent expert recognition for their beers.

"The Dublin Craft Cup and medals awarded to brewers are a fantastic accolade from independent, experienced beer judges and showcase the finest quality craft beers".

The Dublin Craft Cup has been won in a previous event by Northern Ireland's Hilden Brewery from Dunmurry, county Antrim, Ireland's oldest craft brewery.

The programme also includes live music. In addition to beers and ciders, several exhibitors will be showing Irish whiskey and other craft spirits. Musical entertainment will be provided by a range of home-grown acts and food producers will be on hand with unique food pairings to excite your taste buds!