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CRAFT brewers and beer enthusiasts will descend on Killarney this weekend for Killarney Beerfest (May 26 to 28).

While the beer enthusiasts are set to sample some of the 150 brews on offer, the highlight of the festival for the craft brewers will be the prestigious Beoir Champion Beer of Ireland Awards sponsored by Carry Out Off Licences.

There are eight categories in the awards including Pale Ale, Belgian Style Ale, Dark Ale, Lagers, Porter/Stout, Wheat Beer, Speciality Beer and Sour Beer. The most sought after title is the overall Beoir Champion Beer of Ireland. The awards are open to all Irish breweries and the panel of fifteen judges is led by Reuben Gray of Beoir and includes CAMRA and EBCU members as well as a selection of international judges. Over 100 craft beers have been entered for the awards.

Along with the prestige of being crowned The Beoir Champion of Ireland, the winning brewery will receive the opportunity to brew an exclusive craft beer for Carry Out Licence along with a promotional package from Carry Out Off Licences which includes in-shop distribution and promotions as well as marketing and social media support.

David O’Keeffe, Head of Sales for Carry Out, said: “Irish craft beers are among the best in the world, and these awards help celebrate that fact.”

“Carry Out off licences operate in more than 100 different locations nationwide and so are in a fantastic position to help promote the Irish craft beverage industry. It certainly is an industry on the move and we look forward to meeting the many brewers attending this year festival. We are constantly re-evaluating our craft beer offering in order to offer our customers the widest range possible.”

The winners of the Beoir Champion Beer of Ireland Awards will be announced at the festival on Sunday, May 28, at 6pm. Killarney Beerfest takes place on the grounds of The Gleneagle Hotel in the specially constructed Beer Village. Admission costs €15 and includes one free glass of beer. For more information visit http://www.killarneybeerfestival.com/

 
Above: David O'Keeffe, National Sales Manager, Carry Out, with Maureen Cournane, Kieran Somers and Michael McSweeney at the launch of the 'Carry-Out' Killarney Beerfest which takes place May 26-27-28. Picture: Don MacMonagle