Mullingar is home to Ireland's only wild beer festival
Regan Kelly
The third annual Mullingar Wild Beer Festival will be held in Smiddy’s Bar Saturday, April 12. Ireland’s only festival that showcases beers, wines and ales made with this fermentation style, the event will host breweries from Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Wild beer is made using wild yeast strains, as opposed to normal beer, which is fermented using normal yeast strains. According to Paul Varley of Mullingar Wild Beer Festival, “the wild yeast is found in the atmosphere, it brings down the PH level and that then brings a sourish taste to the beer”.
As well as representation from breweries around the country, there will beers from Europe that are not yet available in Ireland.
Paul said: “We’ve brought over beers that are similar from Spain and Belgium, but most importantly some from Donegal, Laois, Dublin and one as local as Ballymahon.”
The festival has been a success in the past, and Paul is optimistic this one will be too: “Last year went really well, and this year is looking like it’s going to be good as well.
“We’ve got a lot more breweries this year, we’ve tried to get a few international breweries, just a little extra for people when they come.
“It’s really one of the only places where all of these breweries can come together, especially those that use the wild fermentation style.
“Anyone at all who has an interest in the food, beer and wine scene would definitely be interested.”
The event runs from 2pm to 9pm, and tickets are available at eventbrite.ie.