Independent craft brewer backs local beers against the large breweries

Wim de Jongh and his wife Jeanne Mahony of Hope Beer Picture: Fergal Phillips

Large brewers such as Diageo and Heineken are muddying the definition of craft beer, according to one of Ireland’s most high-profile smaller brewers.

Wim de Jongh, co-founder of Hope Beer, based in Kilbarrack, Co Dublin, told The Sunday Business Post that macro brewers were confusing the market about locally produced beer.

“Brands like Franciscan Well [owned by Molson Coors] and Five Lamps [owned by C&C], Heineken’s Cute Hoor, and Diageo’s range of brews ...