Lacada Brewery

Lacada Brewery grew from a shared love of beer, brewing, place and community. Its earliest beginnings came from a father and son in Portrush who built their own nano-brewery to better understand how their favourite beers were made. Initial experiments focused on American and New Zealand hops before broadening into combinations with established British, German and Czech varieties, while darker styles such as porter also became part of the early brewing work.

As interest grew, the idea of turning the project into a commercial brewery began to take shape. Rather than adopting a conventional ownership structure, the founders explored the cooperative model and formed a steering group with a deliberately broad mix of skills. Advice from Co-Op Alternatives in Belfast, visits to breweries across Ireland and England and participation in the first Irish Craft Beer Convention helped the group develop its business and governance model.

The cooperative was formally registered as an Industrial and Provident Society on 1 May 2014, before commercial brewing became established in 2015. As more people from the north coast community became involved, collaborative decision-making became central to the business. Members brought experience from areas including brewing, CAMRA, local business, marketing, food and collaborative working, shaping Lacada as both a brewery and a community-owned enterprise.

The name Lacada is itself rooted in the north coast. Derived from Liach Fada, meaning 'the longstone', it refers to a rocky outcrop near the Giant's Causeway. The location is also associated with the wreck of the Spanish Armada vessel Girona in 1588, whose remains were later found offshore. That connection between landscape, history and local identity became an important part of the brewery's branding and storytelling, with beers frequently named after coastal landmarks and features.

A strong sense of place continues to define the brewery. Lacada describes the north coast's changing weather, dramatic Atlantic shoreline and seasonal rhythms as central to its identity, and sees locally brewed beer as part of the visitor experience of the area. Its cooperative structure also brings together people from different ages and backgrounds around a shared interest in beer and the community in which it is made.

That community focus extends into Lacada's Portrush taproom, where 19 taps showcase a broad selection ranging from lower-strength pale ales to stronger stouts alongside cider, sour beer and kombucha. The venue also prioritises local suppliers for non-beer options, including soft drinks from Ballymoney and apple juice from local producers, reinforcing the brewery's emphasis on supporting businesses close to home.

Today, Lacada combines cooperative ownership, a broad and varied beer range, an active taproom and brewery tours with a strong connection to the landscape of Northern Ireland's north coast. Its identity remains closely tied to Portrush, its members and the coastal places and stories that inspire both the brewery and its beers.