Business award for fledgling Mournes brewery

NI’s newest craft beer producer, Mourne Mountains Brewery has scooped the ‘Best New Business’ award at the Greater Newry Area Business Awards, which are hosted by the Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade.

Founded in January this year by entrepreneur Connaire McGreevy, the company’s mission is to produce honest, quality, local beer that is brewed by hand in small batches in the Mournes.

After setting up the business, Connaire hired master brewer Tom Ray to develop a range of craft beers made using ingredients and spring water from the Mourne Mountains.

Connaire said following the award that the support the fledgling company had received so far from the local community had been “fantastic”:

“Although the business is still in its infancy, we’ve made a great in roads to date with a robust distribution network in place across Northern Ireland,” he added. “We have very ambitious plans for the future, hoping to break into the Republic of Ireland market within the next 12 months and the UK market thereafter.”

The new range, which is produced using water from the Spelga Dam, includes three core brews: Mourne Gold pale ale, Red Trail red IPA and Big Rock wheat beer. The brewery has also created two special seasonal brews to date – Mourne Mist Pilsner and East Coast IPA.

Connaire said that the challenge now was to capitalize on the success the firm had so far enjoyed:

“I’m happy to say that the core beer range is selling extremely well and we have exciting plans for two new seasonal specials coming soon. There’s certainly something for every palette!”

Our picture shows Connaire McGreevey, founder of Mourne Mountains Brewery with Aisling Lavery from Ulster Bank, sponsor of the award.