Craft Beers in Belfast

Located on the ground floor of a historic building in the heart of the Linen Quarter, Sweet Afton is beside sister bars Ritas, The Perch and Chinawhite. A bar and restaurant combined, Sweet Afton is name after one of Robert Burns’ famous poems, Flow Gently, Sweet Afton. Local beer offerings include Hillstown Brewery and Hilden Brewery, or you can sample something from further afield inducing American breweries Crazy Mountain Brewing Company and Anchor Liberty.

One of the most popular and well known microbreweries is the Hilden Brewery, located in Lisburn, which has been creating some of the finest quality craft beers since 1981. Not only do they boast a collection of 11 draught beers and 5 bottled beers, the brewery at Hilden and its award-winning Tap Room Restaurant are well worth visiting, with weekly live music sessions and quality craft beer. Take a tour to discover the magic of brewing and learn about this ancient craft from a master brewer as he explains the process which converts malt and hops into traditionally brewed beer. After the tour you can sample the subtleties of flavour and character of Hilden’s finest beers.

Belfast’s new kid on the block, Bullitt, features two relaxed bars and their very own Bullitt brew! Whether you choose to kick back in Bullitt Bar, relax in the cosy courtyard, or pay a visit to Baltic, Belfast’s first ski-themed bar, you can enjoy an excellent selection of craft beers, mouth-watering cocktails or a refreshing Bullitt brew.

The John Hewitt is well known for its excellent selection of local craft brews with a blackboard menu of guest beers, ales, and ciders, imported from all over the world. An excellent lunch menu and a great line-up of live and Irish traditional music, on offer 6 nights a week, makes the John Hewitt a much loved bar in Belfast.

Sunflower is a simple corner pub, instantly recognisable by the security cage on its front door, a relic from 1980s Belfast. Music is very much part of the pubs life with traditional, appalachian, folk, bluegrass and gypsy swing sessions weekly. Hearty bowls of stew are served on Fridays and Saturdays with fresh wheaten bread, which go hand-in-hand with pints of locally brewed ale from Hilden Brewery. Craft beers from America, Denmark and Argentina are available, as well as more local offerings.

Located on the Ormeau Road in South Belfast, The Errigle has an ever changing and interesting selection of local and international craft beer and microbrewery offerings on rotation as well as bottles and cans. Helpful and knowledgeable staff can recommend from the extensive menu. Great food, live music and big screen sports are also on offer at this popular traditional pub.

The Cloth Ear is The Merchant Hotel’s comfortable public bar. The warm and welcoming interior provides the ideal environment to relax and enjoy yourself in style with an exceptional range of craft beers, ales and stouts both bottled and on tap. Sample a range of lagers and beers from around the world and taste the extensive range of liqueurs and spirits including a fine portfolio of Irish and international whiskies. Plus on Fridays, don’t miss the Friday Blues offers including selected draught beers for just £3 a pint, house wine for £14 and bottles of prosecco £15.

Featuring around 25 local beers, including real ale and beer from microbreweries, the Bridge House also features guest beers and ales from around the world including America and the UK.