Resist, with the Anti-Imperial Stout, insights from Ballykilcavan Brewery

After visiting the brewery a few years ago, I looked forward to chatting with David and sharing an update on Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery with Irish Tech News readers.

(If you attend the Bord Bia Bloom Festival in the Phoenix Park this weekend in Ireland, be sure to try their craft beer, brewed in a centuries old farmyard in the heart of county Laois. And – do check out David’s beer drinking recommendations towards the end of this article).

The Beer and the Brewery at Ballykilcavan

In a small, picturesque farmyard brewery, David and his team have brewed over 250,000 litres of beer since 2017. Eight different types of beer are brewed each year, alongside some special beers. (After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, David brewed “Resist – Anti-Imperial Stout” as a fundraiser for humanitarian relief in Ukraine). The beer is consumed in seven countries, Ireland taking the lion’s share, followed by Italy.

Local ingredients

The brewing water is sourced from a local well, which is just outside the brewery building. As well as growing their own barley, there is a hop garden, of both bittering and aroma varieties. The hops are harvested in early October each year and used to brew a unique Fresh Hopped pale ale, where all the barley, water and hops are sourced from within 500m of the brewery.

Origin Green Gold

Committed to environmental sustainability, Ballykilcavan is a verified member of Origin Green, the Bord Bia national sustainability programme. In both 2022 and 2023, they were awarded the highest possible Gold membership level, making them one of only two breweries of any size in the country to be rated as Gold members.

Sustainability champions

Recognition of their commitment has come with winning so many National and Local Sustainability Awards, that it has led David to double the size of their awards cabinet. A range of efficiency measures have been implemented in the brewery, so they now generate 100% of their power from solar panels. There is a plan to build a small hydro generator, utilising a small river that runs through the farm.

Ballykilcavan Visitors Centre

Tourism is a very important source of income, and a new visitor’s centre has been designed to fit within the historic farmyard. This new facility combined with tours of the brewery has proved to be attractive to tourists especially from the USA. This year they are also offering glamping for attendees of the Electric Picnic Festival.

Challenges of a small brewing business

Running a small brewery in rural Ireland is challenging, Ballykilcavan survives by focusing on a strong local trade, a growing export market and by building a unique and authentic tourist destination. Brewery tours can be pre-booked, and are offered between March and October.Selling the beer direct at festivals is an important source of income. To David’s frustration they are not allowed to sell their range at the famous Electric Picnic festival which is located only 2.5 km up the road. The Electric Picnic festival have a deal with Heineken that excludes smaller local businesses.

Competition of monopoly brewing companies for beer tap space in pubs

Competition from the major breweries for space in pubs is fierce. The international brewers can offer sweeteners like new beer taps, new equipment, marketing materials, cool rooms and more. Whilst a small craft brewery cannot compete to offer such additional “support”.

Deposit Return Scheme and the “Cost of Business”

David is critical of the recently introduced Deposit Return Scheme for the return of plastic bottles in Ireland. Designed by large retailers and large drink producers, small drink producers were not involved in the development of the scheme. It is an additional cost on small business, and could lead to a loss of business for small independent drink retailers and producers. And, it is a new levy on Irish consumers, taking away the responsibility of drink producers for the recycling of their products – the producers pay principle.
David estimates the cost of business has increased by 20% in the last year. All inputs to the business have increased in cost, and the cost of compliance with regulations is a particularly heavier burden on smaller companies.

Business Supports We Like!

Particular effective supports are the Laois LEADER programme for rural enterprises, and assistance from the Laois Local Enterprise Office. The Green for Micro scheme from the LEO assisted in embarking on their renewable energy journey. Being members of Origin Green offers many benefits including support for exhibiting at Bloom.

Lessons to share as an entrepreneur

Seven years in business as Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery, David shares his top three business tips,

1. 1. Know your market, who are your customers and what are they looking for from you.
   2. What is your USP? Differentiation is very important, and he has identified two for the business, the story of the farm AND the ingredient provenance.
   3. Understand the full offer of your business. It is more than producing quality craft beer, many others do that. Distribution is critical, getting taps into pubs. And he has learnt to watch the margin, profitability is key.

David’s Beer Recommendations

David has kindly shared his beer recommendations with us, read more below
For a

• Sunny Day with Friends – Millhouse IPA. Low alcohol at 3.5% and double dry hopped to give it a refreshing citrus and tropical fruit flavour. Won a Gold Medal this year at the prestigious Concours International de Lyon.
• Slow drink in the evening: Bambrick’s Brown Ale (5.8% ABV). Named after Joe Bambrick, who worked on the farm for 60 years and four generations of our family. This is a complex dark ale, best served slightly warmed up to showcase the dark chocolate and burnt toffee flavours coming from the malts used to brew it.
• With a curry: Bin Bawn pale ale (4.6% ABV) – balanced beer between the malty sweetness and the bitterness from the hops, and very refreshing with anything spicy
• After a day on the farm: Back Lawn lager (4.2% ABV) – Named after one of our barley fields, it’s crisp and refreshing after a hard day’s work.

Now I am thirsty!

Thanks to David for his time. To find out more about the Ballykilcavan farm and brewery read this previous article on Irish Tech News, when David was interviewed by Simon Cocking in 2020.

Visit Ballykilcavan’s website, read about a farm held by one family for 13 generations.
In its 16th year, the Bloom festival in the Phoenix Park is organised annually by Bord Bia to promote Irish food and horticulture, and be a premier platform for showcasing Irish horticulture, food, and drink.

The writer Billy Linehan is a fan of Small Business and startups, a consultant and mentor, he is a co-founder of StartUp Ballymun and a contributor to Irish Tech News.

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