Black Donkey Brewing

Sheep Stealer

Farmhouse Ale - Saison

A traditionally brewed Saison, dry, crisp and refreshing. Cloudy golden orange with pillowy white head, unfiltered and unpasteurized. Aroma of spice,… Read More

A traditionally brewed Saison, dry, crisp and refreshing. Cloudy golden orange with pillowy white head, unfiltered and unpasteurized.
Aroma of spice, malt sweetness and a classic earthy saison funk. Citrus fruit and floral hop aromas are also present.
A sharp tartness is counterbalanced by a lingering malt sweetness, and a lively tongue tingling carbonation. Notes of summer fruit, citrus and black pepper compliment each other as a subtle hop bitterness, and a distinct yeast derived spiciness round out the Sheep Stealer experience.
Pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes, from tangy dressed salads, and ripe sheep and goat cheeses, to grilled, roasted and stewed meats. Hearty roasted root vegetables will also shine in its company.
Bring it to the barbecue or a formal dinner, or simply enjoy it with great company, or an inspiring view. Read Less

Buck It

Red Ale - American Amber / Red

Not true to any particular style, "Buck It" is a style bucking amber, with a blend of Irish, Belgian and German malts and USA hops, all in one glass.… Read More

Not true to any particular style, "Buck It" is a style bucking amber, with a blend of Irish, Belgian and German malts and USA hops, all in one glass. Warm and malty with a clean, restrained bitterness, Buck It is a satisfying malt forward beer, which goes great with spicy foods, tangy barbecues, lemony fish and chips, or just because you want something different.
Unwilling to be pigeon holed by the style authorities, "Buck It" is just a nice buckin' beer. Read Less

TKO

IPA - American

A balanced blend of European malt and American "C" hops, combined to produce a smooth flavour sensation. A throwback to before the craft beer revolution… Read More

A balanced blend of European malt and American "C" hops, combined to produce a smooth flavour sensation. A throwback to before the craft beer revolution had a grey beard, TKO is a classic (think 10 years ago) west coast American style IPA. Read Less

Happy Out

Pale Ale - Other

Happy Out, is a crisp, fresh, thirst quenching pale ale, brewed to tackle your driest thirst. Wai_Iti hops from NZ and Amarillo from the US combine to… Read More

Happy Out, is a crisp, fresh, thirst quenching pale ale, brewed to tackle your driest thirst. Wai_Iti hops from NZ and Amarillo from the US combine to deliver a one two punch of lime, grapefruit, mango and basil. Our house yeast ferments it dry as a bone, but infinitely tastier, leaving a unique hint of yeast spice on the finish. This is a beer brewed expressly for your refreshment and enjoyment. Read Less

Beyond

Pale Ale - American

Inspired by the rye ales of the New World, this hoppy gem is brewed far Beyond The Pale, both literally and figuratively. Healthy portions of European… Read More

Inspired by the rye ales of the New World, this hoppy gem is brewed far Beyond The Pale, both literally and figuratively. Healthy portions of European rye and American hops combine to deliver a tongue tingling bitterness, with a solid malty backbone, and the unique earthy flavour and presence of rye.
Match it up with Thai, Vietnamese, Tex-Mex, Cajun or any other spicy cuisine of your choosing. Great with a loaded burger, or grilled salmon and tuna too.
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Sergeant Jimmy

Farmhouse Ale - Saison

A traditional saison, untraditionally allowed to languish in Irish Whiskey barrels for a few weeks, before being 100% bottle conditioned. Notes of oak,… Read More

A traditional saison, untraditionally allowed to languish in Irish Whiskey barrels for a few weeks, before being 100% bottle conditioned. Notes of oak, banana, saison spice and a gentle alcohol warmth. Read Less

Western Warrior

Lager - Pale

If you want something that's brewed in a real micro brewery, in small batches, by real human brewers, but which isn't going to strip the enamel off your… Read More

If you want something that's brewed in a real micro brewery, in small batches, by real human brewers, but which isn't going to strip the enamel off your teeth, or give you heartburn, Western Warrior is for you. Unfiltered, all natural ingredients, keg conditioned. It's Lager, It's Tasty, It's Local. Read Less

Underworld Savage

Farmhouse Ale - Saison

A true farmhouse style ale, fermented with a unique yeast, harvested from Owenygat cave in Roscommon, Ireland. Legend has it that Owenygat cave was the… Read More

A true farmhouse style ale, fermented with a unique yeast, harvested from Owenygat cave in Roscommon, Ireland. Legend has it that Owenygat cave was the lair of the Morrigan, and the gate to the Underworld in celtic mythology.
Burnt gold colour, with a dense white head. Aromas of candied citrus,and blackberries. Flavours of lemon zest, fruit of the forest and funky wild yeast spice. Clean lingering bitterness on the backend. 100% bottle and keg conditioned.
Supremely versatile at the table roast & grilled meat, game and seafood. Cheese? Yes please, Velvet Cloud, Cooleeney Farmhouse, Durrus and Gubbeen to start with. Read Less

Bog Fire

Farmhouse Ale - Saison

Updated for our 2023 release this is a unique taste of Ireland. This release was brewed in 2019 with a portion of turf smoked malt, and fermented with… Read More

Updated for our 2023 release this is a unique taste of Ireland. This release was brewed in 2019 with a portion of turf smoked malt, and fermented with our house yeast, Morrigan 1. After spending a leisurely 3 1/2 years in an ex Irish whiskey barrel, Bog Fire was bottled in late 2022 ready for a spring '23 release. Limited to approx 600 bottles, we didn't want to see this one go, we wanted to keep it for ourselves! Read Less

Conn O'Mara Lager

Lager - Pale

Bottled version of Western Warrior.

Bottled version of Western Warrior. Read Less

Underworld Rua

Farmhouse Ale - Other

Rich Irish and Belgian malts combine to deliver a full, rounded maltiness with notes of candy sugar and stone fruit, coupled with the spiciness of Morrigan… Read More

Rich Irish and Belgian malts combine to deliver a full, rounded maltiness with notes of candy sugar and stone fruit, coupled with the spiciness of Morrigan 1, our unique wild Irish diastatic yeast strain.
Brewed for pairing, it's great with hearty dishes, this brew also holds its own with the spiciest foods, Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican and Sichuan. Go ahead turn up the heat. Cloonconra raw milk cheese, Dozio Barr Rua and other full flavour cheeses. Read Less

Roam Free

Farmhouse Ale - Saison

"An “Irish Saison”? Oh yes indeed. Better known, in modern times, as a Belgian beer style, this saison is our proof that Irish brewing is more diverse… Read More

"An “Irish Saison”? Oh yes indeed.

Better known, in modern times, as a Belgian beer style, this saison is our proof that Irish brewing is more diverse than simply black or red.

Irish barley, Irish water and most importantly of all, Irish Yeast combine to produce an easy drinking, crisp and refreshing beer. Dry and spicy, with citrus banana and ripe berry notes from the wild local yeast, underpinned by the richness of Irish malted barley. Unfiltered and refremented in the bottle, this brew is as pure, natural and local as a beer can be.

Eminently versatile, this saison pairs beautifully with roast and barbecued meats and poultry, bouillabaisse, zesty salads and rich, creamy cheeses. Also happy all on its own, or with great company.” Read Less

Underworld Allta

Farmhouse Ale - Other

A hop forward, but not hop dominated Farmhouse ale. Our wild, native yeast, Morrigan 1 extends a tendril and embraces New World hops in balanced synchronicity.… Read More

A hop forward, but not hop dominated Farmhouse ale. Our wild, native yeast, Morrigan 1 extends a tendril and embraces New World hops in balanced synchronicity. Toast, citrus, resin and yeast spice.

Pairs with pizza, grilled chicken and zesty salads. Coolattin and 15 Fields cheddars, along with other mature hard cheeses. Read Less

Phraseology

Sour - Other

“Phraselolgy" was actually born on 3/11/2020. At that time we didn’t know quite what it would grow up to become, but following a few years in American… Read More

“Phraselolgy" was actually born on 3/11/2020. At that time we didn’t know quite what it would grow up to become, but following a few years in American oak barrels, and after a chance meeting with a Longford strawberry grower, it was deemed ready for release on 22/12/22.

Phraseology is a rye saison, fermented with our native Irish yeast strain Morrigan 1 (you may remember her from such beers as Savage, Allta and Rua) allowed to languish and naturally mature in the barrels. A few months ago we added pureed, fresh local strawberries, from McCormack Fruit in Longford, straight into the barrels, and left the microbes to work their magic. The result is a dry and refreshing beer, which manages to be both sour and sweet, with a distinct berry aroma, and a mild ripe fruit flavour. The beer pours a bright amber colour with a slight pink tint (try not to disturb the sediment).

As with all our bottled beers, Phraselogy is 100% natural, bottle conditioned and suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. Alc. 6.5% vol.
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Double Barrel

Rye Beer

A big, rich, spicy rye ale with more than a faint whiskey undertone. Oak, vanilla, coconut and citrus greet the nose and the palate, with a well-rounded… Read More

A big, rich, spicy rye ale with more than a faint whiskey undertone. Oak, vanilla, coconut and citrus greet the nose and the palate, with a well-rounded body and a hint of dry rye spiciness. Twice aged in two different sets of Whiskey barrels, this double barrel brew is loaded with character. Read Less

Yes Marm

Sour - Other

Sour & Bitter, no we’re not talking about your ex, we’re talking “Yes Marm”, Release 3 of 4 in our 2023 single barrel series. Yes Marm is a blend of saisons,… Read More

Sour & Bitter, no we’re not talking about your ex, we’re talking “Yes Marm”, Release 3 of 4 in our 2023 single barrel series.
Yes Marm is a blend of saisons, aged up to 2 1/2 years in oak barrels. Initially fermented with our Morrigan house yeast, the barrel bugs took over after transfer. Inspired by his love of bitter, chunky Seville Orange marmalade, Richard added about 5Kgs of his own homemade secret recipe to the barrel prior to bottling. The result is a crisply sour beer with a lingering citrus bitterness. A lively effervescence dances on the tongue, and is followed up by a faint “bready” sweetness.
Crisp sourness with a citrus bitterness and a light bready sweetness. Effervescent and refreshing. Serve cold, from the fridge. Read Less

Arigna 2016

Farmhouse Ale - Saison

The second in the Arigna series, "Arigna 2016" is a curious beast. Brewed as a Belgian style Dubbel, fermented as a Saison. In an open fermenter no less!… Read More

The second in the Arigna series, "Arigna 2016" is a curious beast. Brewed as a Belgian style Dubbel, fermented as a Saison. In an open fermenter no less!
Rich and malty, caramel, stone fruits, a little biscuit up front say Dubbel. But the saison funk and dry finish put this brew in a class of its own. Low carbonation from 100% bottle conditioning, for smooth easy drinking, despite its high ABV. Buy a case and cellar them, this one's only going to get better with time. Read Less

Arigna 2017

Farmhouse Ale - Saison

The third beer in our annual Arigna series. Arigna 2017 is a saison first and foremost, 100% fermented, and bottle conditioned with our house saison yeast.… Read More

The third beer in our annual Arigna series. Arigna 2017 is a saison first and foremost, 100% fermented, and bottle conditioned with our house saison yeast. The rich amber/copper colour, and rich malt character comes from a blend of Belgian specialty malts. A small but significant portion of spelt yields mouth feel, head retention and a unique layer of additional flavour.
Serve at 10*C for the best experience. Pair it with rich winter stews, game meat, or try it with a slab of sticky fruit cake and a chunk of extra mature cheddar. Read Less

Arigna #1

Farmhouse Ale - Bière de Garde

The first beer in the Arigna Series, Arigna #1 is based on a French Biere de Garde. Maltier, darker and richer than a traditional Biere de Garde, we took… Read More

The first beer in the Arigna Series, Arigna #1 is based on a French Biere de Garde. Maltier, darker and richer than a traditional Biere de Garde, we took license, but were originally inspired by an old French recipe. Malt forward, and brewed with a unique blend of French and Belgian yeasts, Arigna #1 is low carbonated as a perfect meal accompaniment, or as a digestif, without the full bloated beer feeling. Drink out of whatever glass you fancy, just don't drink it too cold, it needs to be tasted, savoured and enjoyed, 12-14*C Read Less

Underworld Pale Ale

Pale Ale - Other

The second release in our Underworld series of Wild Irish brews. Brewed exclusively with our exclusive Morrigan 1 native, wild Irish yeast strain. Like… Read More

The second release in our Underworld series of Wild Irish brews. Brewed exclusively with our exclusive Morrigan 1 native, wild Irish yeast strain. Like a meld between a classic pale ale and a saison, hops, malt and yeast phenols all come together to create Underworld Pale Ale. Thanks for trying it, hope you love it. Read Less

Hive Mind

Wild Ale - Other

Barrel Conditioned Wild Ale with Honey. And then there were four. Hive Mind is release number four from our 2023 single barrel program. Limited to approx… Read More

Barrel Conditioned Wild Ale with Honey.

And then there were four.
Hive Mind is release number four from our 2023 single barrel program. Limited to approx 700 individually numbered bottles, Hive Mind is a blend of barrel aged saisons, with 18 month aged Underworld Rua as its major component. A little maltier than its three predecessors, as you have probably guessed from its name, local wildflower honey was added to the barrel prior to packaging.

Lightly sour with notes of malt and oak, with a delicately bitter floral finish from the addition of the wildflower honey. Effervescent and refreshing. Serve 10-14℃.

Food Pairing
Pairs with soft bloomy cheeses, Dunbarra, Cooleeney, St Killian. Also great with garlic and herb braised mushrooms, and rich and savory, braised and stewed meats; oxtails, cheeks, shanks etc Read Less

Ruacioto

Farmhouse Ale - Other

Ruacioto is a single barrel release, based on our Underworld Rua, exclusively for Blackrock Cellar, and limited to 600 bottles. Initially fermented with… Read More

Ruacioto is a single barrel release, based on our Underworld Rua, exclusively for Blackrock Cellar, and limited to 600 bottles.

Initially fermented with Morrigan 1 our wild native yeast, Ruacioto was then matured in ex Irish whiskey casks for 9 months before finishing in a Recioto della Valpolicella barrel, sourced from the Pasqua family winery in Verona, for an additional 6 months. The whiskey cask character is minimal, as those casks had previously held Sergeant Jimmy, our annual whiskey barrel aged saison. The Recioto barrel however was fresh from the vineyard, bursting with flavour and character.

At time of release it has big aromas and flavours of tart cherries, figs, stone fruits and both yeast and oak spice. Its clean acidity and refreshing dryness will pair beautifully as an aperitif with a charcuterie platter, including sweet ripe fruits and rich goat’s and sheep’s milk cheeses. It’s a very versatile beer and will also swipe right on hearty stews and rich pasta dishes.

100% natural, bottle conditioned, suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. Alc. 6.8% vol. Read Less

Pilot Brew American/Belgian Amber

Red Ale - American Amber / Red

A hybrid amber ale, crafted with Irish and Belgian malts, teamed up with American and German hops. A one off sessionable brew that is not what it appears… Read More

A hybrid amber ale, crafted with Irish and Belgian malts, teamed up with American and German hops. A one off sessionable brew that is not what it appears to be. Not truly Irish, Belgian or American in style, it is a unique brew which pays homage to our home, and to our primary brewing influences. Rich European malts pair with spicy German and citrusy American hops to give you something a little different. Hope you like it. Read Less

Papa Rich

Red Ale - American Amber / Red

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Pilot House (Centennial IPA)

IPA - American

A one time brew from our single keg, pilot scale kit to celebrate our 2nd anniversary at The Salt House in Galway City. When it's gone, it's gone. Get… Read More

A one time brew from our single keg, pilot scale kit to celebrate our 2nd anniversary at The Salt House in Galway City. When it's gone, it's gone. Get one while you can. Read Less