The rapid growth in the local craft beer sector is set to continue further into 2014 as Northern Ireland’s latest microbrewer launches it’s first product this month.

Tyrone-based Pokertree Brewing Company is the latest independent craft brewer to join the expanding list of local businesses producing handcrafted ales in recent years.

Artisan beers and ciders are seeing a surge in popularity across Northern Ireland, echoing wider global trends, which is seeing large numbers of drinkers moving away from more traditional mass produced brands in favour or more interesting and diverse offerings with local ties.

In development for over a year Pokertree Brewing Company has launched its first beer – Ghrian – this month right across Northern Ireland through a series of specialist outlets.

Ghrian, which in Irish means ‘Sun’ is a 4.5% ABV light golden ale with a pleasing hop kick and fragrant aroma that makes it stand out from more traditional lagers.

The beer is the first of four planned for release by Pokertree Brewing Company this year across a wide range of styles, demonstrating a flexibility which is one of the major advantages small scale brewers have over the larger companies.

Mr Nugent said: “We chose Ghrian as our first beer to launch as it is light in colour and in many ways resembles more mainstream lagers so we felt that it would encourage more people to take a chance and try it for themselves. When they do what they will find is a glass bursting with flavour from a number of different malts and bite from three types of hops giving it a depth of flavour that more and more people are seeking out.”

“We hope this will give people the confidence to then try other Ales that they may otherwise be reluctant to try due to how dark they are for example.”

“We have seen with the growth in popularity in events such as the Belfast Beer and Cider Festival and the increase in the number of local breweries across Northern Ireland that there is a real increase in demand for flavourful handmade and importantly, locally produced products that provide something different and unique.

All of Pokertree’s beers are made in the company’s own purpose built brewery, which is capable of producing approximately 20,000 bottles a week at full production, are suitable for vegetarians, are unfiltered and don’t  use any artificial additives or preservatives – something Darren is very passionate about.

“Many large brewers use things like rice and corn syrup to bulk out their beers, which are cheap and plentiful. The are often heavily filtered which actually removes most of the flavour and in many cases they use a range of chemicals in the manufacturing process, including an extract made from fish bladders and even plastic dust!”

“I wanted to make beer in an authentic, old fashioned way that was flavourful and challenging. It was important to me to ensure that I used only natural ingredients and I wanted to stay away from introducing anything into my beer that wasn’t there for flavour or added quality.”

Sales so far have been very positive and although only starting out the company already has medium term plans to secure outlets in both southern Ireland and Britain where the craft beer boom is already in full swing.

Pokertree Brewing Company products are available for delivery across Northern Ireland now. If you are in the trade and you are interested in stocking Ghrian or any future products from Pokertree Brewing Company call Darren on 07070131318 or email info@pokertreebrewing.co.uk