Bloodline Brewing Company

The smell hits you first when you walk into Bloodline Brewing Company near Ballymena - a proper working brewery where the beer is actually being made, not just served. This is a craft operation with real conviction behind it, the kind of place where you can watch the process unfold and taste what comes out the other end without it feeling like a theme park experience.

What you're getting is a brewery tour meets tasting room, depending on how deep you want to go. The setup lets you see fermentation tanks and brewing equipment in action, then sit down with their actual output. Their core range rotates, but expect well-made IPAs and darker stuff - the kind of beers that actually taste like something rather than generic craft padding. Staff know what they're talking about, which makes a difference.

This works best for actual beer enthusiasts and couples after a proper outing rather than families with young kids bored by the science bit. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing a tour and tasting; less if you just want to call in for a pint. Check ahead on their site for opening hours and whether you need to book - these smaller operations aren't always predictable.

If you're based at Sunset Glamping or Lough Beg Glamping nearby, this is a cracking reason to venture into Ballymena rather than staying put all week. It's unpretentious and does one thing well, which beats a lot of the tourist-trap brewing experiences you'll find elsewhere.