New €1.8m brewery launched in Dublin

A new €1.8m brewery has been launched in Dublin by some of the publicans who own the city’s most popular bars. 

Changing Times Brewery is based in Glasnevin, along the banks of the Royal Canal, and is backed by the families behind some of Dublin’s best known pubs, as well as publican Benny McCabe and brewer Shane Long. 

The idea for the brewery came from listening to the feedback from customers over the years, which led to conversations between the publican families and then detailed discussions on creating their own brewery. 

Initially, Changing Times products will be stocked in its founding members bars, The Palace, The Long Hall, The Swan, The Bankers, Arthur Maynes in Donnybrook, Devitts, Doheny & Nesbitts, Sheehans, Lemon & Duke, The Bridge 1859, The Blackrock, The Bank, McSorleys, Darkey Kelly’s and The Ferryman.

It is expected to be expanded to additional pubs in the coming weeks. 

For its launch the brewery will be providing two products, Daydreamer Lager and After Hours Pale Ale.

The brewery also hopes to expand their product range in early 2025.   

From launch, there will be 9 people working with Changing Times, which includes two full time positions and 7 other affiliated roles.

Speaking about the new brewery, Willie Aherne of The Palace Bar on Fleet Street said, “We set up this brewery to give pub goers something new, something locally brewed, authentic and refreshingly Irish.

“Our customers were saying they were in the mood for change and that we should be brewing our own range of beers.

“We listened and took note. This led to conversations with other families of publicans, whose customers were saying the same things and eventually we decided to create this brewery so we could make those customer suggestions a reality.

“Effectively, the concept for Changing Times Brewery was born over the pub counters.

“We look forward to giving our customers a taste of that something new, that change they have been looking for,” he said. 

His remarks were echoed by Paul Sheehan of Sheehans Pub, Chatham Street, who said, “Change has been good for modern Ireland.

“We’re no longer a country that is stuck in our ways or who does things just because that’s the way they have always been done.

“That is the spirit behind Changing Times – there’s always time for something new.

“We wanted to address those changing tastes with this brewery and give our customers a refreshing taste of a high quality, locally brewed products that we hope will soon become their drink of choice.

“So you could say Changing Times is about changing minds, one sip at a time.”

Brewer Shane Long outlined the process involved in developing these products, “Our light and refreshing Irish, draft products are brewed near the Royal Canal in Glasnevin, using quality Irish ingredients from the best producers.

“Combining high calibre hops, barley, malt, yeast and more with the insights of our customers, we’ve been able to develop drafts with a great taste that we believe will help change people’s minds and become their regular pint. 

“Changing Times Brewery delivers flavours brewed to our customers’ tastes, a taste of modern Ireland,” he said.