Strangford Lough Brewing Company’s Head Quarters is located in Killyleagh, County Down, on the shores of the breathtakingly beautiful Strangford Lough. The company was founded in 2004 by Tony Davies and Bob Little, two marketing and business development professionals whose vision was to be “the second most recognisable Irish beer brand in the world”.
Our ranges of Irish beers are all named after historical characters associated with this part of Ireland such as Saint Patrick and Magnus Barelegs, the Viking King buried on the Downpatrick marshes in County Down. Magnus Barelegs has two beers named after him - Barelegs Brew and Legbiter, the name of his sword. Three beers are named in honour of Saint Patrick - St Patrick’s Gold, St Patrick’s Best and St Patrick’s Ale – probably the most famous character in Irish history, who is buried at the Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, County Down.
In addition to having Irish names our beers are also based on traditional Irish recipes. This further honours our local tradition. Our aim is to make beers that give enjoyment in appearance, bouquet and taste and by so doing giving you a little of what is best about County Down, a largely undiscovered part of Ireland.
Our Magnus range was launched in May 2004 at the Killyleagh Viking Boat Festival and was favourably received. The first of our Saint Patrick’s beers was launched in September 2004 both in Ireland and the USA with the final two beers launched in 2005.
As a relatively new business, our strategy is to bring our beers to the Irish markets around the world, particularly North America, and we have acquired the trademark for ‘St. Patrick’ for ale, beer, lager and stout in the United States. St Patrick’s Best and Legbiter Ale are now available in over 20 states across America. We are currently selling licenses for the remaining territories in North America to qualified entrepreneurs who will then brew our beers to the high quality standards we specify, and then market and supply them in their individual territory.
In the meantime enjoy our brews and “experience a taste of Ireland”. Feel free to contact us with your feedback or business suggestions by going to the contact us page. Our business is a learning business, every day we aim to learn more!
