Ronan Rogerson, who also owns event bars business All Bar None and the Dublin Bar Academy, is one of the directors behind the proposed microbrewery, set to be called Smithfield Brewing Co. The site is located at Haymarket House, Arran Quay, with the Jameson whiskey visitor centre nearby.
Rogerson said the Smithfield Brewing Company was not a new concept, having already operated from a brewery in North King Street.
The business hopes to move its equipment to the new microbrewery and pub once the unit receives planning permission. Its current site is to be developed into student accommodation.
Drury Buildings restaurant in Dublin 2
“This will be a traditional brewpub,” he said. “I am not trying to go into retail, off-licences or supermarkets. It is literally brewers who have travelled the world and beer that hasn’t left the building.
“This is my guy version of Drury Buildings,” Rogerson added. “It is going to be beer, and we will be working with a food menu with our head chef.”
Last week, Linders of Smithfield, the landlord of the proposed microbrewery and pub, submitted a planning application for the site to Dublin City Council. It is seeking to change its use from retail and restaurant to a brewpub.
Documents filed with the planning application said the operation would be similar to the offering of Scottish craft beer giant Brewdog’s pub in Dublin Docklands, but smaller. It will involve the brewing of craft beer that is then sold in an on-site taproom, complemented by a range of food.
Rogerson added that the proposed brewpub would be on Dublin’s Luas line, potentially creating a “Luas brewery tour”.
“You could go from Urban Brewing at CHQ, jump off at Abbey Street and go across to the Porterhouse, and then back on and come and see us in Smithfield,” he said. “You could go on to James’s and go to Diageo’s small brew offer there.
This will be a traditional brewpub. I am not trying to go into retail, off-licences or supermarkets
“And then you could go on to Inchicore and off to Rascals. It could be a nice addition for the city.”
Rogerson said his hospitality group would be investing “quite a bit” into the new Smithfield Brewing offering. He has no plans to open further hospitality ventures beyond Smithfield and Drury Buildings.
“There will be no more,” he said.