Strangford Lough Brewing Company

The good news from Northern Ireland

I went with some friends from Las Vegas to lunch at Stormont this week. The parliament buildings are impressive as you travel up the mile. The building was completed in 1932 and because it is set at the top of a rise it offers wonderful views over Belfast

Walk for Life

There is no doubt “times are hard”! Then I think of the 1,200 children who go to the Mutenderi school in Kibungo province with no running water!

Dixon from Dungannon: A local poem

This is an old local humorous poem called ‘Dixon from Dungannon’. It mentions the troublesome Icelandic volcano which ‘Dixon fixed with his chewing gum’ when it last erupted.

The Irish Boomerang

I’ve been in Las Vegas for the last week working on a very exciting project. On Thursday morning I got ready to travel to Dublin. I checked with Delta the flight to Dublin was still going and upon confirmation, I left Palm Place to make my journey home.

Who are you! – Part I

Nearly every day of the year I’m the beer man from County Down. If Ireland are playing any sport I’m supporting them, if Ulster are playing rugby, there is only one team to support, even in politics I know who I am!

You are what you eat

This week saw the start of Lent and as usual both my wife and I gave up something we both like to eat or drink. My wife voluntarily gives up wine each year, which I think is admirable. I (am forced to) give up chocolate and sweets. Now I know this is good

The Quiet Man

I received some sad news this week when I heard a well-known personality had died after suffering a short illness. The strange thing is, when I heard the news a smile spread across my face remembering a special story.

It’s the Six Nations

So, one of the biggest sporting events of the year is upon us. Are we talking Superbowl? Are we thinking of the Stanley Cup? No we are not, it is the start of the Six Nations Rugby Championship!

Waiting for Baby

I remember like it was yesterday when my daughter Bethan was born in Guildford, England. On Sunday April 20th at about 8pm during my favourite TV programme (I can’t remember what it was) Tracey went into labour and we rushed to the hospital only for Beth

It’s good to be different!

The Thursday Aer Lingus flight to Chicago isn’t usually packed this time of year, so I was more than surprised to realise I was booking the last seat at an exorbitant cost! Arriving at Dublin Airport and checking through US Immigration I kept meeting thes

Oh, I’m going to Las Vegas

Why is it when I tell people I’m going to Las Vegas and Atlanta this week I get of one of two responses ‘you lucky so and so’ and ‘can I come?’. How wrong can people be on both counts? Do they think this is a holiday? Do they think it is fun meeting with

The People Can’t Speak

Today sees Ireland’s second, yes that’s right, second referendum on the EU Lisbon Treaty. The first poll was held in June 2008 and the treaty was rejected by almost 7%. The Irish Government didn’t like this result and neither did the EU, because the treat

Barelegged and Exhausted

Another festival celebrating Magnus Barelegs is over! As usual for a number of days after the festival I was exhausted and vowing “we would never do this again!” Tomorrow night we have the ‘lessons learnt’ meeting when we discuss what we could do better a

More important than beer

I promised that I’d bring you more news of Ulster Rugby in my last blog, so here it is! Ulster went to Ospreys and were expected to be heavily beaten. I turned on the TV to watch the match, it being in Wales, and thought I’ll just watch until we start to

When you always do what you always did!

The rugby season is upon us and already there is gloom in Ulster, and I haven’t even collected my season ticket yet!

When the customer needs service

Aer Lingus are my airline of choice to travel to the USA; well they were; now I’m not too sure! As a Gold Circle member, supposedly one of their better customers, I was appalled by a recent interaction with the company.

A Very Special Visitor

It is always nice to have your efforts acknowledged. It doesn’t even have to be a big thing, sometimes ‘Thank You’ is sufficient. As beer makers, when people say something like ‘that’s a great taste’ or ‘that could become my pint’ we always have a nice

Everything in Moderation

My wife Tracey has always ground into me that women can multi-task and men can’t. I have always fought this notion, but while I can’t say if all men are alike, I can say I failed the multi-tasking examination!

The Home of Saint Patrick

When asked to name some famous Belgians, the names Hercule Poirot and Tin Tin are often included. It seems a shame then that these are fictional characters. In terms of the most famous Irish character it must be Saint Patrick.

The Mountains of Mourne

This is the time of year in the Northern Hemisphere when our sports seasons overlap. This weekend I watched almost too much rugby, if that is possible! Newport vs Calvisano in the Heineken Cup, British Lions in the first match on tour and Wales vs Canad

Viva Las Vegas!

Firstly, apologies for the break in the frequency of my blogs, since my return from the USA I’ve been in bed with pneumonia and haven’t been in any fit shape to write something sensible

From Ballynahinch to Felinfoel

At first sight there is little that links the County Down market town of Ballynahinch and Felinfoel, a small village adjoining Llanelli in Dyfed, Wales. Well this Sunday such a link did occur and the occasion was the All Ireland AIB Rugby Cup

The Blue Grass State

On my recent trip I had the pleasure of visiting the South Eastern state of Kentucky. I had been promised a taste of Southern Hospitality and this promise was certainly fulfilled in the 36 hours in the state.

A Letter from America

I’ve always wanted to write that! For those of you who are not from the UK and Ireland, Alistair Cooke was a journalist who did a wonderful set of broadcasts which illustrated life in the USA.

About

Tony Davies is the Managing Director of Strangford Lough Brewing Company.

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