O'Connor Square
Tullamore
R35 P761
Co. Offaly
A superb and buzzing traditional pub on O’Connor Square in Tullamore, The Brewery Tap is also an award winning gastropub renowned for its great atmosphere, great food and great service. Serving up an extensive selection of delicious traditional gastro fare from burgers and steaks to ribs, chicken, fish and more, if you find yourself in The Faithful County you simply must make a visit. Owned by Paul Bell and his wife CathyAnne for more than two decades now, they employ 30 members of staff, some of whom have been with them since day one.
Evening Starters at The Brewery Tap include rustic garlic bread, their soup of the day, as well as a wild mushroom, spinach and leek tartlet baked with Parmesan and dressed with a rocket salad. There’s loaded nachos/fries, topped with spiced beef, tomato, cheese sauce and spicy jalapenos (also available in a large serving), not to mention their finger lickin Tap chicken wings served with a choice of spicy, buffalo or a tangy BBQ sauce. There’s a tropical prawn cocktail too, with fresh pineapple chunks, plus a crispy leg of duck confit served with scallion champ, tangerine and a star anise glaze.
For the Mains, they have a highly popular menu of top classics, such as beer-battered hake in a light and crunchy Smithwick’s Red Ale batter, pea purée, homemade tartare mayo and a side of chunky chips; a full or half rack of baby back ribs with a homemade BBQ sauce, chips and homemade slaw; as well as a creamy chicken and smoked bacon pie in a light white wine cream, served with slaw and chips. There’s penne carbonara in creamy homemade sauce; roast vegetable Jalfrezi with chicken or prawns and served with poppadoms, aromatic rice and mango chutney; along with some tasty grilled garlic and chilli tiger prawns served with rice, tomato and red onion salsa, and a curried Glenisk natural yoghurt dressing.
Their dedicated burger menu is sure to impress also, with options such as The Classic, Big Smoke or Cheese Please, or if you really want to sink your teeth in, they have a grilled 10oz steak served with grilled tomato, onion rings, sauté mushrooms and chunky chips with a choice of sauces. There’s black pudding stuffed chicken supreme served with a Gaelic sauce, mash and veg, plus a great surf and turf option as well. Vegetarians too will be pleased at The Brewery Tap with offerings like a veggie burger of roast peppers, squash, chickpea and herb served with lettuce, tomato, red onion and roast tomato relish, or an Ardsallagh goats cheese potato cake with spring onion, roasted peppers, spinach, tomato and chilli jam and rocket.
For dessert, dig into a delicious warm homemade chocolate brownie served with vanilla bean ice-cream and a rich chocolate sauce, or perhaps The Tap crème brulee with a pistachio crunch and vanilla ice-cream. There’s cheesecake, and a warm apple and berry crumble too, but if you really want to be decadent, give in to a ‘Death By Chocolate Sundae’ of double chocolate chip and white chocolate ice-cream with fudge pieces and a rich chocolate sauce.
During the day they offer a similarly extensive lunch menu which includes a fab array of sambos served with a choice of chips, sweet potato fries or a bowl of homemade soup.
From the warm welcome to the cold drinks and a menu that’s bound to delight the pickiest diners, a meal at The Brewery Tap is always a pleasure.