While a number of craft breweries around the country remain closed in the present Covid-19 crisis, some, like Tig Bhric in West Kerry’s Balliferriter, are busy packaging beer in bottles for ongoing sale to the off trade.

The overwhelming response from the 180 exhibitors at this year’s packed Hospitality Expo held in the RDS Simmonscourt on 25th and 26th February was of strong business interest from the significant attendance of real decision-makers from the industry – owners, proprietors, managers, directors and executives from owner-managed and group/chain operations, reports Hospitality Expo organiser Business Post Events & iQuest.

Portadown-based Mac Ivors has introduced an alcohol-free cider that’s also gluten-free, low in calories and vegan-friendly.

An American Hogshead Cask from the Macallan Distillery filled in 1996 sold for HK$3,430,000 (€395,838) recently at a Bonhams auction in Hong Kong to an absentee bidder against active bidding in the room, surpassing the original estimate of HK$2,200,000 (€253,884).