McCracken’s Real Ale
McCracken’s Real Ale is a small family run microbrewery based in Portadown, County Armagh. Ryan’s love for brewing started out like many brewers, a gift from his wife of a beer making kit. What started out as a hobby quickly turned into a passion and then a dream to open his very own brewery. Ryan learned all he could about micro-brewing before making the leap and setting up his own business. He was also following on in a tradition started out by two McCracken brothers over 100 hundred years ago – Peter and Robert who started what is now one of the biggest-selling breweries in Australia.
He and his team craft, bottle and package all the ales by hand. They use only four ingredients (water, barley, yeast and hops) and brew only in small batches resulting in quality, full-bodied ales. Their ales are all unfiltered and bottle conditioned which ensures the natural goodness and full flavours are all kept intact. They do not use any artificial preservatives or any other chemicals in their products.
They believe in using natural fresh ingredients and source many of the ingredients locally to maintain the highest quality standards and to ensure they contribute back to the local economy.
The range started with only two ales and has now grown over the last year to a selection of four.
What They Do
Craft beer
Products
McCracken’s Golden Pale Ale (GOLD) Using a specially selected blend of Irish malts with just a hint of caramel malt giving it added flavour. Including a mix of Citra, Cascade and Chinook hops make this Golden Pale Ale both refreshing and flavoursome. Perfect for a hot summer’s day, a few pints out in your local or even to accompany a steak. This beer is a good all-rounder that should cater for most tastes. McCracken’s Irish Pale Ale (IPA) Taking influences from America‘s West Coast IPA and the classic India Pale Ale and combining those with local Irish ingredients, know how and some Irish charm thrown into the mix. McCracken's Irish Pale Ale combines Citra and Chinook hops gives this Ale hoppy character with zesty bite. McCracken’s Irish Red Ale (RED) To get its character red hue and caramel undertones, a special blend of malt is used along with just the right amount of Willamette and Northern Brewer hops to create an ale that is both easy to drink and refreshing. McCracken’s Legacy (Double IPA) Double IPA that is bursting full of Citra and Chinook hops. Combining this with a carefully balanced mix of malt makes this ale hoppy, zesty and full of flavour.
Awards
Great Taste Award 2020- 1* for Irish Pale Ale Great Taste Award 2021- 1* for American Pale Ale 2* for Irish Red Ale and Black Irish Stout Winner 2021 Irish Enterprise Awards for Best Real Ale Brewery Blas na hEireann finalist 2021 for Irish Real Ale and Black Irish Stout Blas na hEireann Bronze 2021 for Black Irish Stout LUX Food and Drink Winner 2021 Most Innovative Craft Beer Brewery Northern Ireland, Winner 2021 McCrackens Gold - Golden Pale Ale of the year Great Taste Award 2022 - 1* Irish Pale Ale, 2* Black Irish Stout, Winner 2022 Producer IQFDA 2022- Winner 2022 Best Drinks Product of The Year, Gold 2022 Winner CAMRA Champion Bitter Northern Ireland Winner 2022 Eye Family Business Awards 2022- Emerging Family Business of The Year Great Britain Entrepreneur Awards - Finalist 2022 IQFDA 2023- Bronze 2023 Winner Great Taste Awards- 1* Premium Pilsner
Where To Buy
45 bars, restaurants, hotels and off-licences across Northern Ireland
