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. Seasonal Tipples from O’Hara’s They’re a prolific lot at the Carlow Brewing Company, where they’ve been busy concocting two crafty new additions in time for Christmas. The eighth edition of their award-winning Barrel Aged Series has just been released, and this time the popular Leann Folláin has been aged in Bourbon American Oak barrels from the Dublin Liberties Irish Whiskey Distillery. The stout works particularly well with slow cooked stews, rich meats and creamy blue cheeses. Meanwhile their popular O’Hara’s Winter Star brew makes a welcome seasonal return, delivering a distinctively heady combination of cinnamon, orange zest and a tasty rye breadiness. carlowbrewingcompany.com Crisp Apple Sticks from Lismore Foods As the season gets into its stride, our eye was drawn to three lush new offerings from the Lismore Food Company. Promising ‘All of the luxury, none of the guilt’ the simplicity of ingredients involved – air-dried apple and a choice of chocolate – make for an inviting, low-calorie, gluten-free snack. Lismore’s Crisp Apple Stick range comes enveloped in single serve packages, and at €2 for their Crisp Apple Sticks and €2.50 for the chocolate coated versions, we definitely like the sound of them apples. lismorefoodcompany.com. 3. Cheesy Stocking Filler If like us you’re a bit of a lastminute merchant when it comes to stocking up on Christmas gifts, you’ll also be aware that as far as presents of a food variety are concerned, some things can’t be rushed. The cheese connoisseurs in our life will be delighted to learn that we’re turning our vice into a virtue and holding out for the release of Aldi’s 1000 Day Aged Gouda which hits the shelves later this month. The crumbly caramel coloured cheese is both creamy and intensely flavoured and this flavoursome example of Dutch gold retails at €3.99. Available nationwide from December 12th. aldi.ie 4. Sumthin’ For Santa With the big day nearly upon us the bright sparks at The Taphouse Bar & Kitchen have combined forces with Hopfully Brewing Co. to create a lovely brown ale in honour of the season. Brewed with chocolate and hazelnuts, the mellow Christmassy brew goes by the name Sumthin For Santa, because its inventors reckon the big man might appreciate a change from the usual milk and cookies on Christmas Eve. With €1 from the price of each pint sold going to Crumlin Children’s Hospital, special edition cans can be purchased on-line for Santa and delivered to your door. drinkstore.ie 5. Kilmainham Base for Dublin Food Co-op Our hearts sank this summer when we learned that Dublin Food Co-operative were shutting up shop at Newmarket Square, so we were thrilled to hear recent news of their move to a more permanent location. The city’s favourite food co-op has finally purchased its own premises beside historic Kilmainham Gaol, aided by the Herculean efforts of its members, with support from Community Finance Ireland and Donore Credit Union. Manager Aoife Hammond is optimistic about the move and looking forward to sharing their decidedly cooperative ethos with a whole new member base in the months and years ahead. dublinfood.coop Pssst – Got some food ’n’ drink nuggets you’d like to share with Totally Dublin readers? Feed them to us for consideration… Email: MM@hkm.ie 62