Liam Campbell: Making the weiss choice

November 3 & 4: A Taste of Bordeaux with sixth generation Charles Sichel, including a vertical tasting of Chateau Angludet (6pm-7.30pm).

November 5 & 6: A Taste of Italy with Massimo Pastura from Cascina La Ghersa wine estate in Piedmont. Also showcasing wines from other regions' family-owned wineries (6pm-7.30pm).

Offer includes bed, breakfast and dinner for €115 pps, including the wine tasting event. Tel: 053 913 2114; kellys.ie

The essential cereal for all beers is barley and when its kernels are toasted/malted in the kiln, the natural sugars in the kernels are caramelised. The hotter the kiln, the deeper the toast and the darker the colour of the resulting beer.

For added floral fragrance, flowers from the hop plant are added to counter the richness of the malted barley. However, in Britain, fertilised hop flowers containing bitter seeds are used, giving those beers the name "Bitter".

Whenever wheat (Weiss) is used in beer-making, it gives an invigorating citrus lemony character.

Boosting beer's popularity are the growing talents of Irish craft breweries and the steady impact they are making on consumer choice and widening beer's appeal. Inspired by the words of the late Frank Zappa, they are helping to make Ireland a real country: "You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of football team or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer."

Sláinte.

1) McGrath's Irish White Ale, Recipe No. 3 4.9pc

Deep foam of white fuzz tickling the taste buds with a very creamy mousse. Scented with orange zest and ground coriander seeds. Crisp, lemony and highlighted by a little exotic spice. Orange peel tang on the finish.

€3.39 (500ml) at a selection of SuperValu, Carry Out Off-licence Group, Eurospars and many independent off-licences nationwide

2) Clearsky Brewing's Fulcrum Wheat Beer 5pc

Refreshingly tangy with the malt and hops clearly expressed, satisfying and full-bodied.

€3.39 (500ml) at O'Brien's nationwide; Molloy's Liquor Stores, Dublin citywide; O'Donovan's, Cork citywide; selected Spar, ADM Londis, Mace, Carryout and independent off-licences in Leinster

3) Franciscan Well German Style Wheat Beer 4.7pc

Fruity and floral scents with pear drops and boiled sweets. Intense flavours of dried orange peel and a pithy invigorating finish.

€2.49 (330ml) at Tesco nationwide

4) Bru Rua Irish Red Craft Beer 4.2pc

Rich malty aromas and flavours, deep and satisfying. Fresh and dry with a little tannic grip.

€3.20 (500ml) at Carry Outs; SuperValu and many independent off-licences nationwide

5) Kenmare Irish Porter 4.7pc

Intense malty and cocoa aromas. Malty with a bitter chocolate palate and attractively mouth-drying tannins.

€3.39 (500ml) at SuperValu; Centra; Carry Out and many Independent off-licences nationwide

Tasting notes

Upcoming wine appreciation events at Kelly’s Hotel, Strand Road, Rosslare:

November 3 & 4: A Taste of Bordeaux with sixth generation Charles Sichel, including a vertical tasting of Chateau Angludet (6pm-7.30pm).

November 5 & 6: A Taste of Italy with Massimo Pastura from Cascina La Ghersa wine estate in Piedmont. Also showcasing wines from other regions’ family-owned wineries (6pm-7.30pm).

Offer includes bed, breakfast and dinner for €115 pps, including the wine tasting event. Tel: 053 913 2114; kellys.ie