A man worth his malt: Benny McCabe plans gin and vodka distilleries for Cork

Not content with running 12 pubs and a brewery, publican Benny McCabe has revealed plans to develop two micro-distilleries in the heart of Cork City.

Mr McCabe, who owns some of the city’s best-known heritage pubs — his is the largest pub group outside Dublin, employing more than 200 people — confirmed last night that he intends to lodge two separate planning applications within the next three weeks for micro-distilleries to brew gin and vodka.

He hopes to develop one of the facilities within his Bodega pub on Cornmarket St, just across the road from where he and his family opened the Rising Sons brewery last summer, and where he brews a range of craft beers.