Any Recommendations In Belfast?

I think the quick answer is yes there are and no it isnt.

That's what I found in Cork. Oh Well, maybe Dublin?

In fact, everywhere in Ireland .... or that's what we found last year!! All very disappointing. Best we found was a bar somewhere down the west coast that had some bottles of English beers!

The locals have obviously let you know who dominate the market. Could happen here?

The Crown & King's Head look the best of a bad bunch.

I don't know Belfast at all, but don't Wetherspoons have a branch there now? How many independent brewers are there in the North these days? I thought I'd heard of at least two.

As far as Dublin goes, you can avoid all the big three (Guinness, Heineken aka Murphy's, and whoever owns Beamish) by drinking at the Porterhouse or Messrs Maguires. Most beers are served under pressure, but are live keg, and some of them are particularly good.

Actually I will post details from my somewhat ageing Barry Pepper Irish Pubs Book. Good Luck!

Crown Liquor Saloon, Great Victoria St Kelly's Cellars 30 Bank St, Off Royal Avenue Kings Head, 829 Lisburn Road, Balmoral Kitchen Bar (Catneys) 16 Victoria Square

Visited the Crown lunchtime yesterday. There was one ale brewed by Whitewater available which was OK. Cannot remember it though! Had a good Irish Stew there + roll and butter for £4.99 which was OK as well.

A classic of a pub (Built by Italian immigrants), and nice and cosy.

Also went to Robinson's Bar next door, but no real ale, but quite a pleasant atmosphere.

I'm fairly sure that some of the beers in these 2 places are filtered

- not that (shock!) it bothers me particularly, if they taste good. I think the stouts might be unfiltered.

If they are pale-ish, served cold & still appear bright, then my guess is that they are filtered (as otherwise they would probably show a chill haze if unfiltered)

Elsewhere, in Cork The Franciscan Well Brewpub

From my experience, be aware that the Franciscan Well does not open until about 3pm (ie. NOT open Lunchtime) and the Beers are are dispensed under pressure of some sort (ie. not handpump or gravity) but it is a great place and I would recommend it !

Hope this helps ...

Chris

McGuires and the Porterhouse in Dublin are fine.