The Porterhouse Brewing Company Review

The Porterhouse Brewing Company in Dublin, Ireland

As thrilled as I was about getting to drink Guinness in Ireland when I went in 2009, I was equally curious about the beer scene overall.  I did some research and found that there were two other microbreweries/brewpubs in Dublin that had excellent reputations, the larger of which was the Porterhouse Brewing Company.  On our first night in Ireland, my wife and I headed over to the Porterhouse to sample both their brews and their food. 

Sliotar, live!

The first thing that struck us as we entered the building was just how large and busy it was.  Music was blasting, people were bantering, and there was just an overall great vibe coming from inside.  There were a number of different seating areas including at two different bars on the first floor.  The dining area was located on a higher floor and so we made our way up.  We wound up getting a really great seat because we were positioned directly above the live band that would be providing the entertainment for the evening.  As we got settled in, we couldn't wait to get our hands on both the food and drink menus as we were ravenously hungry and in the mood for some truly awesome beer.

The beer menu was extensive in its information and aesthetically interesting in its layout (pictured below).  I loved the fact that each beer had its own logo as well as a substantial amount of information regarding its history and its ingredients.  I really appreciate the fact that the brewers put that much effort into describing their beers because it shows that they truly care about the fruits of their labor.  I've found that when brewers have such a keen eye for detail, the beer tends to be equally meticulous in its brewing and thus winds up being awesomely delicious; that was undeniably the case here.  They also included a two-menu-page history of the brewery, which might not be legible in the photo but was certainly worth reading.

Wrasslers 4X Stout

The Porterhouse Revolution Part I

The Porterhouse Revolution Part II

In total, I was able to sample nine different brews, almost all of which were phenomenal (the only dud was an American Adjunct Lager called Chiller that was awfully similar to Bud Ice).  The Wrasslers 4X Stout was one of my favorites, enjoying a dark, delectable maltiness that was balanced by the lighter body typical of Irish Dry Stouts with relatively low abvs (5% in this case).  The beer that truly stole the show though was the Oyster Stout, which was unlike any stout I had ever had before.  Freshly shucked oysters are added to the conditioning tank, thus contributing a smooth sweetness that you simply cannot get from other ingredients.  I felt like I detected a slight briny quality as well but that might just have been a placebo effect from the knowledge that oysters had spent time mixed in with the beer at one point.

Another seemingly minor detail that stood out for me with regards to the beer was the coasters that the brews were served on.  Each one fit three sampler glasses with a special position for each respective beer.  Most places that offer flights of beer do so using a single tray that is often unmarked, leaving it up to the server to identify and to explain the beers to the customer.  Here, everything was laid out quite clearly, which I thought was a nice touch.

A light sampler and a dark with the
special coaster visible at the left-center

My wife and I were amazed when the food came out and we saw how incredible it looked.  We figured that our luck would have to run out at some point given how awesome the beer and the music was overall...but we were wrong.  Look at this gargantuan burger!  For a carnivore like me, it was like heaven on a plate (the first time we went I actually got the shepherd's pie but when we went back for a second night, I was fiending for this bad boy burger!).

Awesome on a plate

I did indeed go Pubbin' in Dublin!

We had such a great time that night that we wound up going back a second time later in our trip.  Ironically, the same band happened to be playing again.  We were able to relive the entire evening and enjoy ourselves anew!

Now, with most foreign brewery reviews, the biggest problem for most of our readers is the fact that they can't easily get to the places to try the brews (as most of our readership comes from the United States).  Well, with the Porterhouse, that won't be as big of an issue.  They actually opened a second location right here in New York City!  Located inside of the Fraunces Tavern building in downtown Manhattan, the Porterhouse offers its best line of beers while doubling as a craft beer bar.  You can't beat the opportunity to try authentic microbrewed Irish beer along side some of the best that the American craft scene has to offer!  If you're in the city, go and scope it out--you'll definitely find something that you like!  Plus it doesn't hurt that the bartenders are awesome and are full of the traditional Irish wit.  Seriously--you're all but guaranteed to have a great time!

GRADE

My grade for the Dublin location of the Porterhouse Brewing Company is an A+ because the combination of food, beer, and music simply cannot be beat.  The beers are well-crafted, the food is of extremely high quality, and the camaraderie/atmosphere that you'll find there epitomizes what drinking should be all about.  I give the New York location an A only because they do not have the same food and atmosphere, which are both a huge part of what makes the Dublin spot so unforgettable.  Both come with my highest recommendation for their respective offerings.

BEERS SAMPLED
Wrasslers 4X Stout
Oyster Stout
Plain Porter
Porterhouse Red
TSB (Turner's Sticklebract Bitter)
An Brain Blásta
Hersbrucker
Temple Bräu
Chiller

For more information about the Porterhouse Brewing Company, please visit their official website here:

http://www.porterhousebrewco.com/index.php

Cheers!

--Beer Whisperer Matt