Ex-Beamish chief Smiddy honoured for 30 years’ service

FORMER Beamish & Crawford boss Alf Smiddy has been honoured by vintners for his three decades of work in the industry.

The president and chief executive officer of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) made a special presentation to the former brewing boss in Cork after it was announced that the company he helped build up over 20 years will be closed next March by its new owners Heineken.

VFI president Val Hanley said the presentation was tinged with sadness.

“Alf did everything he could for the Beamish company, and for Cork,” he said.

“Beamish & Crawford has been synonymous with the bar trade for decades. They had a very good connection with the publican and the trade.

“Alf and his management team, and their sales representatives, bent over backwards to help their customer, the publican. They were unique in that respect.”

He said under Smiddy’s direction, Beamish & Crawford had become the third largest brewer in Ireland, had developed the Beamish stout brand, and launched Miller on the Irish market.

He said the brewery’s closure next year will be a huge loss, not just to the industry, but to the city.

“It’s part of the city’s heritage. It’s very sad for Alf and all the workers who will lose their jobs,” he said.

“I would have thought it better to have competition between three or four breweries than to have just two big ones,” he said.

“If you’ve got competition, then it keeps everyone on their toes.”

Meanwhile, heritage campaigners planning to fight to save the home Beamish & Crawford will hold a public meeting in Cork on Saturday.

The National Conservation and Heritage Group which helped persuade brewing giants Diageo to develop the Guinness Storehouse as a tourist attraction, wants Heineken to develop the historic building as a tourist attraction.

A delegation will be selected at the meeting to meet Heineken to discuss the proposal.

The meeting takes place at the Flying Enterprise Bar, near the brewery, at 7pm on Saturday.