Irish craft beer exporter launched

A new export, marketing and distribution company, Ireland Craft Beers Ltd, is setting out “to bring Irish craft beer to the world”.

Liam Brogan, Shane McCarthy and Colin Brannigan

Ireland Craft Beers Ltd has already partnered with an array of breweries in Ireland including Reel Deel, Kelly’s Mountain Brew and The White Hag.

The idea behind the Belfast-based company came to CEO Shane McCarthy when he was working in New York and found that most Irish bars in the city were limited in their stock to Guinness and a handful of Irish whiskeys, a statement from Irish Craft Beer said.

“He saw a gap in the market and set out to bring some of Ireland’s highest quality craft beers and ciders to international shores,” it said.

Launching the new business, McCarthy said: “The good thing about the Irish craft beer industry is that each brewery has its own authentic story, unique selling point and reason for brewing beer.”

But in order for these breweries to flourish, they need to export given the small size of the home market, he continued.