Description
Founder of Dot Brew, Shane Kelly, has made a name for both himself and his brand over the last few years through a keen passion and love for experimentation when it comes to his brews, most notably in the form of barrel ageing and hybrid styles. The Dublin based brewer has carved out quite a niche, developing a unique style and approach which has helped put Dot Brew at the forefront of the Irish Craft Beer scene. While the beers are brewed in various microbreweries in and around Dublin, they are then brought home to Dolphin’s Barn. The site is home to about 50 barrels in a small warehouse which Kelly refers to as his ‘spice rack’, with casks ranging from French oak, Mexican tequila and American bourbon, to name but a few.
7/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 7
Overall 6.5
Dark brown to black with a medium tan head. Aroma of of dark chocolate. Flavour is chocolate cake, velvet texture, dark fruits, hints of licorice, bitter finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 30 May 2026
at 23:00
7.5/10
Hoppy and slightly sweet, with notes of orange peel.
Tried
from Can
from CraftCentral.ie
on 21 May 2026
at 18:10
8/10
Tried
on 19 May 2026
at 19:58
7.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 7
Overall 8
Bottle from Beerdome. Black with a beige head. Aroma is sweet, roasted malt, chocolate, light wood and light whisky. Flavor is quite sweet. Sweet finish. Soft. 190526
Tried
from Bottle
on 19 May 2026
at 19:36
6.8/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 7
Flavor 6.5
Texture 7
Overall 6.5
Can from Beerdome. Bit sweet with a ripe fruit profile. Also malty, marmalade, stone fruit. Moderate bittersweet flavour. Medium body. Okay, but lacks freshness.
Tried
from Can
from Beerdome
on 05 May 2026
at 21:10
6.5/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 6.5
Flavor 6.5
Texture 7
Overall 6
Very dark brown to black with a beige head. Chocolate, burnt malts, earthy, dry coffee grounds. Medium bodied. Finish is coffee and earthy. Decent but needs some cohesion.
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 Apr 2026
at 19:26
7.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 7
Overall 7.5
Brownish black with a large frothy tan head. Aroma of rum malts. Flavour is spicy malt, chilli notes, dark malt, forest fruits, long roast bitter finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 07 Apr 2026
at 23:00
6.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Dusky brown with a thin tan head. Aroma of soft barrel whiskey. Flavour is warm wood, berry fruit, roast wood, warm base, whiskey warm finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 07 Apr 2026
at 23:00
7.4/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 8
Overall 7
Dark brown with a short tan head. Aroma of chocolate malts. Flavour is smooth milk chocolate, dark malts, sweet boozy back on a bitter chocolate finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 07 Apr 2026
at 23:00
6.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Black with minimal tan head. Sweet chocolate, ripe berries, vanilla, light bourbon, caramel. Medium bodied. Finish has our first encounter with roasted malts. This is fine but not that interesting.
Tried
from Bottle
on 22 Mar 2026
at 13:12