1 Farm. 1 Family. 13 Generations. 381 Years.  Beginning with a tour of Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery, this talk and tour will discuss the history of Irish brewing, with a focus on the relationship between beer and the 1641 Depositions.

 The Ballykilcavan Farm has been in the family since 1639 and one of their ancestors actually appears within these sources. But what are they exactly? In the middle of the 17th-century Ireland was embroiled in a wave of violence pitting the native Irish Catholics against the colonizing Protestant British forces. Utilizing the depositions from this period, this talk will look at the intersections of English and Irish identity as it related to the consumption and creation of beer or ale. Starting with a tour of the brewery and its history, it will link the modern brew house to its place within Irish history. It will also consider the relationship, or perceived relationship between ale and Irishness and beer and Englishness.

Ballykilcavan farm has been in the family since 1639, with 13 generations of the family living and working there. The modern brew house is found in the grain store dating to the 1780s. At the farm, they grow their own barley for use in their beer and have also recently added a small hop garden, which they use to brew their Fresh Hopped pale ale.

Speakers:

David Walsh, 13th Generation owner of Ballykilcavan Farm & Brewery
Dr. Christina Wade, Historian, Braciatrix.com and co-host Beer Ladies Podcast. Dublin, Ireland