Lavender grown on Cape Clear Island, in small fields, surrounded by ancient stone walls, lovingly tended and harvested by hand is the island’s latest export.
Lavender is associated with candles, honey, soap, and balm. Many of those are available from artisans on Cape Clear, but if you can’t get to Cape well there another option!
Experience Cape Clear Lavender by indulging in a sip of Cape Clear Lavender Ale from legendary local brewers The West Cork Brewing Company.
Cape Clear Lavender Ale was created in the Scotch Eighty Schilling style. The beer is a dark amber beer with a surprisingly malty, caramel flavour reminiscent of caramelised coffee biscuits while being light and refreshing at the same time.
Interestingly, this beer really reveals itself at between 8 and 10 degrees, making it ideal for a refreshing break on a hike, at a barbecue or a garden party. The beer goes very well with black pudding, ripe soft white cheeses such as camembert and brie, but it also goes well with locally produced goats’ cheese from Cape.
Try it with dessert – Cape Clear Lavender Ale goes really well with lemon /citrus desserts such as lemon cheesecake and Key lime pie.
Cape Clear Lavender Ale is a good all-rounder, flavoursome and refreshing so you don’t have to choose between satisfying a thirst and savouring great taste.
Cape Clear Lavender Ale went down well with craft beer aficionados at its debut during the Franciscan Well Beer Fest this Easter receiving very positive reviews all round. It is a unique taste and new for us in Ireland, however, Motorworks Brewing in Florida have been brewing it for years where it has won them awards and has a cult following that has grown hugely in recent years.
Master brewer Terra Brookins coaxed some tips from Bob Haa (Motorworks Brewing Florida) and Terra went off and spent many hours working to deliver the best expression of Cape Clear Lavender in beer.
Terra places the fresh lavender in the hop bags for a very precise amount of time to deliver this very special and uniquely flavoured beer. As Terra says there is a very thin line between wonderful and awful! We say only a master of her craft could control the balance and deliver deliciousness!
Slake your thirst for a new taste with Cape Clear Lavender Ale.
Find it locally in the best places in West Cork!
Why not explore a little more? Join us for the Cape Clear Lavender Festival this July. Meet local growers and artisans and take a peep at the lavender gardens and enjoy Ireland’s Lavender Capital!
