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BEER:When matching beer with food there are very few absolute disasters, so you can have lots of fun trying out combinations

THE TRADITIONAL IRISH pub was never noted as a centre of culinary excellence. If you fancied meeting up for a chat, to watch the match or listen to music, there was nowhere better, but any request for food beyond a packet of cheese and onion was likely to be viewed with suspicion. Times have moved on, and most pubs are now keen to supply you with a plate of grub, particularly at lunchtime, when few people now think of downing a pint. The quality of the food varies, but some pubs now make a real effort, and have been rewarded with a very brisk midday trade. These days we even have a gastropub or two to try out, but here we are often encouraged to drink wine with food rather than beer. We know that beer goes with pizza, curry and barbecues, but maybe now is the time to expand our repertoire of beer and food matches?