Brewery Name: Hope Beer (with homebrewer Paddy Gunn)
Beer Style: Barleywine
ABV: 8.7%
Brewed In: Kilbarrack, Dublin, Ireland

Tasting Notes

We finish our Advent Calendar on a high note with Paddy’s Barleywine, a rich and warming beer that also carries a lovely personal connection to TheCru.ie. This beer began life as a homebrew — and not just any homebrew, but the Best of Show winner at the National Homebrew Club Competition 2025, where Caoimhe from TheCru.ie served on the judging panel.

The winning recipe, created by Paddy Gunn of the Wee County Brewers in Co. Meath, was scaled up with Hope Beer as Limited Edition No. 27. The result is a beautifully crafted, full-bodied Barleywine perfect for Christmas Eve.

Appearance: Deep golden to light amber with striking clarity and a soft off-white head. Bright, polished and elegant in the glass.
Aroma: Rich caramel, toffee, dried fruit and soft malt sweetness, with a gentle warming alcohol note.
Flavour: Caramel and toffee lead the way, supported by layers of dried fruit — raisins, figs and a hint of berry — followed by subtle biscuit malt. Warming alcohol adds depth, while a clean balancing bitterness keeps the sweetness in check.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied, smooth and warming with gentle carbonation. Long, luxurious finish ideal for slow sipping.

A perfect Christmas Eve beer — indulgent, layered and wonderfully celebratory.

About the Brewery: Hope Beer × Paddy Gunn

This beer represents one of the most rewarding parts of Irish craft brewing: the link between homebrewers and professional breweries.

When Paddy Gunn’s Barleywine won the Andrew Moore Award for Best of Show at the National Homebrew Club Competition — judged by Caoimhe from TheCru.ie — he earned the opportunity to brew a commercial-scale version with Hope Beer.

Hope’s Limited Edition series is where they showcase creativity, technique and seasonal styles. Paddy’s Barleywine fits seamlessly into that ethos: a recipe built on malt richness, complexity and warmth, professionally executed while staying true to the heart of the original homebrew.

If you’d like to explore more expressive seasonal beers, browse our
Other Beer Styles collection.

Style Spotlight: Barleywine

Barleywine is one of the most robust and flavour-packed traditional beer styles, built around long boils, caramelised malt and warming strength.

Key Characteristics:

• Deep golden to amber colour
• Rich caramel and toffee sweetness
• Dried fruit notes (fig, raisin, berry)
• Warming alcohol
• Full, smooth body
• Minimal hop presence, moderate bitterness

Paddy’s Barleywine is a classic example: warming, indulgent and ideal for festive sipping.

If You Like This Beer, You Might Also Enjoy…

For more winter warmers and stronger styles, explore our
Other Beer Styles range

Support Ireland’s best breweries through our
Irish Craft Beer collection

For more malt-driven depth, browse
Red & Brown Ales

All great options for lovers of rich, complex, celebratory beers.

Share Your Experience

Merry Christmas Eve!
If you’re enjoying Paddy’s Barleywine today, share a photo and tag @TheCru.ie using #TheCruIE.
Thank you for joining us on our Advent beer journey — it’s been a pleasure celebrating each day with you!