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Night Out Night Off
Camping in Connemara and mouth-watering pastries in Galway: Jack Considine’s perfect weekend
Jack Considine, co-owner of one of Ireland’s leading craft beer bars Beirhaus Galway, shares his perfect Night Out, Night Off.
GALWAY IS KNOWN for its beautiful landscapes and its abundance of culture. There’s so much to experience and enjoy in one of Connaught’s most beloved counties, especially when it comes to the tremendous restaurants and bars to stop by and refuel after a day of exploring.
In Galway City, you’ll find countless cafes for casual lunches as well as Michelin-rated restaurants offering mouth-watering dinners to remember. Once you’ve finished your meal, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing pint or sweet cocktail to end a perfect day. Bierhaus, located on the quaint Henry St, is a popular haunt amongst locals and tourists with an extraordinary array of craft beers and seasonal cocktails populating their menu.
Opened in 2005 by Jack Considine and Conor Lynam, Bierhaus paved the way for the evolution and appreciation of craft beers in Connaught, as Considine tells The Journal. “I’m fairly certain that none of us were even aware of the term craft beer back in 2005. We just really enjoyed the beers we could find whilst travelling or in a decent off-license, but nobody was selling them in the local trade.”
Considine continues, “Initially, the term doing the rounds back then was “premium” or “international” beer, so most of what we had in the early days of Bierhaus was decent Czech and German pils, and a few English ales. I reckon the craft beer culture really started to kick-off around 2008. After a few years of pretty mediocre stuff, the Irish craft beer scene has exploded and now we have some real top quality breweries in operation across the country such as O Brother, Land and Labour, Kinnegar, Trouble Brewing, Whiplash, to name a few.”
The growth and development of Ireland’s brewing industry has, naturally, had a positive impact on Bierhaus and their impressive selection of specialty beers produced domestically and internationally. The bar, open 7 days a week and also known for its tasty food, has over 20 taps ready to pour beers with delicious tasting notes made by respected breweries from Galway to Germany.
Summer is a great time to enjoy all that Bierhaus has on offer, especially their seasonal cocktails. And while one would typically think of gins or whiskeys combined with fresh and fruity syrups for a perfect summer cocktail, Considine reveals that beer, in fact, makes for a very tasty cocktail component.
“We love a beer cocktail! A nitro-stout Bloody Mary is absolutely delicious. Trust me,” Considine says. “Typically, when developing the cocktail menu, I leave all that up to Markus Galuschin, our head bartender, the man is extremely gifted. We change our cocktail menu 3 times a year, always using what’s in season and at the moment, on our current cocktail offering, the charred pineapple margarita is floating my boat.”
When asked about Galway’s charm and what makes it such a special destination, Considine notes that the passion that makes each of the independent businesses so unique is integral to the city’s overall essence.
“I think it’s the standards we set for each other across the hospitality sector, so many businesses in Galway set the highest standard. I suppose you could say that there’s a friendly rivalry,” Considine says. “What’s amazing is that we don’t just look outside of Ireland for inspiration with our businesses, but to each other. In that regard, one of the best things that happened to Bierhaus was Caribou opening. They really inspired us to take our space to the next level.”
Having been in business for almost 20 years, and everything going from strength to strength, Considine describes his favourite things about running Bierhaus and what keeps the team invigorated: “My workmates and customers, no question! There’s a big family feel here, everyone looks out for each and that’s a truly validating feeling.”
Bierhaus is one of Galway’s reliable spots for a great night out with friends. We asked Jack Considine how and where he likes to spend his time away from the bar with his ideal Night Out, Night Off.
Down the Local: “Bunch of Grapes, is a great spot for a pint. Blue Note Bar, is also one of my favourites. They’re the best neighbours anyone could ask for. They have a cracking beer list and excellent party vibes at the weekend ”
Dream Night Out: “It would start with a nice glass of wine in Sheridans followed by dinner in Rúibín and cocktails in The Universal Bar and then finish off the night with a lock in in Bierhaus!”
Morning off Ritual: “I’m not much of a morning person, but I have to give a massive shout out to the latest standard setter, Magpie Bakery. Cian Mooney, the head baker and owner, is doing an incredible job with the place. They have incredible buns, bread and unreal coffee, as well.”
Hidden Gem: “A pint of Guinness in Wards. It can’t be topped! I also love Inchagoill Island on Lough Corrib. It has a beautiful sandy beach which is only reachable by small boat. It’s a great spot for fishing and BBQs with friends.”
Weekend Getaway: “My ideal weekend getaway is camping in Connemara, for sure. Bring all the supplies, light a fire and cook for friends. It’s a magical place and we’re blessed to have it on our doorstep. Or if you want a real treat, you can jump on a 7 seater Aer Arran Islands flight, spend a few days on the beautiful islands.”
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