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DRINKS INTRODUCING THE POITÍN PARLOUR ALEX LAWES
Like so many across the city we were shocked and saddened to learn of the sad passing of Whiplash and Fidelity co-founder Alex Lawes last month. In a moving tribute on their social platforms, his brewing family at Whiplash and Fidelity said; “It is with profound sadness that we are communicating the passing of Alex Lawes, co-founder of both Whiplash and Fidelity. Alex was, and still is, part of the heart of both businesses. He was infectious, brilliantly funny and a genius in all senses of the word. He was our friend. Alex’s magnetic personality touched so many people across the globe and in so many communities here in Dublin so we will digest this news over the course of the next few weeks and understand how we can honour the man that gave us so many smiles and good times.” In memory of the innovative, whip-smart brewing legend we recently republished the wide ranging interview he did with Richard Seabrooke on our behalf back in 2019 just after the very successful Fidelity Craft Beer Festival at the Mansion House, just as himself and business partner Alan were on the cusp of opening their first brewery here in Dublin. That interview can be read in full on our website totallydublin.ie, but for now, we present some excerpts that we think capture some of the essence of the sound, creative, collaborative soul that he was. We’d also like to take this opportunity to extend our deepest sympathies to his family, loved ones and all his friends and colleagues at Whiplash and Fidelity, as well as his many pals and collaborators across the independent brewing world. Rest easy Alex. @whiplashbeer @fidelitydublin 36 On those innovative Whiplash cans… “We’ve always lived by “If you’re going to do something, do it right” and that has to be applied to every part of what we do. We want to give people a good sense of what we’re about from our philosophy of using cans as an art space to being able to use a beer to start a conversation about a song or an album while you’re at it. Brewing is an art and like all good art it’s honest, so we wanted to lay out what the beer is about down to the ingredients on the front with a simple white canvas.” On staying independent… “We’re an independent brewery and will always remain so. Our independence allows us to innovate, take care of our staff how we’d like and keep all our humour and personality in our beer.” On drinking indie beer… “All we can ask is that people support good independent beer if they like it and the quality is there. There’s room for everyone and people should drink whatever they like. As I’ve said before, it’s our job to just make better beer and we’ve no doubt we’ll nail that every time.” On the name… “Alan and I joked that we had a pain in our neck (hence the name) from moving so fast growing that business and making so much core beer, that we wanted to slow it down and produce some one-off beers to shake the market up a bit and introduce a bit more innovation into our work week.” On standards “Consumers aren’t there to support your hobby, so focus on brewing to the best global standards out there and then keep pushing.” Before our ancestors were swirling whiskey, they were knocking back poitín, the fierce, fiery and famously outlawed spud based spirit. Banned in 1661 and driven underground for centuries, more recent times have seen Ireland’s original spirit undergoing a radical transformation from rebel juice to EU-protected treasure. And yet, mention it in polite company and someone will still wonder, “Isn’t that illegal?” Turns out it’s not – and hasn’t been since the year of enlightenment in 1997. For those who fancy a deeper dive, enter The Poitín Parlour, a new online video series from spirited fans Oisín Davis and Dee Laffan, who’ve decided it’s time we all got properly acquainted with the hard stuff. Rolling out monthly on Great Irish Beverages’ Insta channel, the series will drop four videos at a time featuring historical nuggets, production deep-dives and face time with the distillers keeping the tradition alive. Expect to listen in on chats with the makers of the likes of Bán Poitín, Micil Heritage Poitín and Killowen Irish Poitín, to name but a few, in addition to plenty of practical intel on how to mix it at home without setting anything, including yourself, alight. Consider this your cue to stop side-eyeing poitín and start giving it a proper go, while raising a glass or two to the ancients. Sláinte! @greatirishbeverages