Quincey Fennelly is the chief executive of the Wicklow Wolf brewery which has produced over 28 beers in the past three years and are stocked in over 150 pubs on draft and in over 700 retail outlets as well as exporting to the UK, France and Italy. He gives us the scoop on the craft beer trade at the moment.
What’s the greatest challenge at that level of success and breakthrough?
The greatest challenge for us at our level is trying to work in an environment where the big breweries can just muscle us out in accounts by doing exclusive pouring agreements. What I say is that ‘Wicklow Wolf’ wins its customers, big breweries just buy them. Also the pseudo craft beer offerings which they market just confuses the marketplace.
What’s the most interesting development in the craft beer market at the moment?
The most interesting development in the craft beer market at the moment has to be around Brett beers. I’ve been a fan of Brett beers for 20 years but are only really catching on here now. ‘Deconstruction’ is a Brett beer by Odells of Colorado which I particularly like.
Can you explain the idea of a locavore which is also the name of your fresh hopped ale?
The idea behind ‘Locavore’ came from a book I was reading where an individual was described as a ‘Locavore’. The definition is of “a person who survives exclusively from food & drink only available in his/her local area.” Our beer Locavore is brewed using only hops from our own hopfarm in Roundwood, Irish malt & our own yeast and of course Irish water. It’s a 100% local Irish beer.
What is Irish Beer Chat?
#Irishbeerchat is a weekly online forum (8-9 pm Mondays) for craft beer enthusiasts. The event attracts participation, interest and dialogue from other consumers, brewers, & craft retailers. It’s pretty much open to talk about anything craft beer related.
Your favourite Irish and international craft beer (outside your own range)
Well I’ve two actually. I love YellowBelly’s ‘Castaway’ sour and I also love Kinnegar’s ‘Crossroads’. My Favourite international beer? I drank a bottle of Bells ‘Two Hearted Ale’ which was voted best beer in the world by Zymergy voters recently. It was fantastic but for me the beer that came second having been first for the last several years is still the best ‘Pliney the Elder’ by Russian River Brewery.
Favourite bar?
My favourite bar has to be The Harbour Bar here in Bray. It’s just an eclectic mix of all sorts of people and music and crack. It has a great selection of craft beer (including Wicklow Wolf). I live in the countryside & have two great locals which I visit from time to time Doyles in Kilcoole & The Castle Inn Newcastle. It’s important to support your local pubs especially if they support local craft breweries. Our next beer to launch will be “Bark & Bite” which is a 9% Imperial IPA. It’s a celebration beer to mark our 3rd birthday.
