The Menu: Food news with Joe McNamee

We are heading into that time of the year most dreaded by the doughty Neidín when the Autumn festival season takes flight and he once more bears the burden that is his mighty master around the nation’s highways and byways.

However, The Menu may well sling the faithful beast over his shoulder the better to make good time to theDoolin Craft Beer and Roots Festival (Aug 25-27), in glorious West Clare, finding a combination of truly Irish beer, top tunes and some first rate noshing, all in one of the most exquisite parts of the world, a nigh unbeatable combination.

Closer to home, The Great Irish Beer Festival(Aug 24-26), taking place in Cork City Hall, features another great lineup of craft breweries and tunes a go-go along with food and beer demos and lectures and with Stiff Little Fingers on the bill, The Menu is set to be truly transported to an extremely bygone era in his former life.