In March of this year the global brewing community lost one of its most-loved figures. Alex Lawes, the revered and respected co-founder of Dublin’s Whiplash brewery and Fidelity Bar & Studio, has left an indelible mark on the beer community and countless others outside it, too. Here his friend and co-founder Alan Wolfe, alongside others from the world of brewing and hospitality share their memories of a friend dearly missed.
“Standards. Alex was always pushing for us to be better at everything we did, in everything we did. He was never shy calling out mediocracy or when we were settling or accepting less than great. This trait is what pushed us to where we are today but with that comes the frustration or pressure of delivering at that level constantly. Annoyingly he had an extraordinary ability to see what the rest of us couldn’t. Whether that was kerning on our labels, top notes on the beers or ideas we had for events. He was always focused on us being better. Even if on more than one occasion he drive me mad….
“That same frustration I had is now the yard stick I use when chatting about new ideas and talking about what we want to do, with Whiplash and Fidelity that’s now the benchmark I use. If I were to suggest this to Alex, would he turn around with those eyes and tell me “nah man that won’t work” or would he get excited and grow the concept/idea into something really special – he sits in my mind constantly.”
Alan Wolfe is the co-founder Whiplash with Alex Lawes. The duo, alumni of Guinness, would separately go on to work for Rye River Brewing Company in Kildare where they’d meet. A bond was formed and Whiplash came to be in 2016.
Starting life as a contract brewing outfit, early beers such as Scaldy Porter and Double IPA Surrender to the Void were a hit with consumers and demand for more frequent releases would grow. By 2017, it was time for this new outfit to show it meant business.
And over the course of some six months Wolfe and then Lawes would depart Rye River to fully focus on their new business. But what could they call it? “Whiplash” Lawes would tell his business partner. “Sounds deadly, why Whiplash?” Alan asked. “Because of the pain in the neck we both have working in this place,” Lawes replied.
“Whiplash it is,” Wolfe muttered.
In 2019 the team would move into their impressive custom-built brewery in Ballyfermot, a suburb of Dublin. In the years since, the brewery grew to a global standing. The incredibly high-quality of their beers, an infectious presence at festivals across the world coupled with collaborations with the great and good that the industry has to offer all contributed to that.
An in 2022, the duo teamed up with friends Dave Parle and Stephen Manning, founders of Dublin’s excellent bar, The Big Romance, to open up a venue of their own – Fidelity. Known as an audiophile bar, venue and restaurant, it’s a spot where the meticulous nature of the brewery’s beer is matched by environment it’s served in. Between Whiplash and Fidelity, Alan and Alex’s creative output has done what any of us can hope to achieve in life and that’s making others happy while playing a small part in improving their day. For that, we’re forever grateful.
Because in March of this year, the industry suffered a monumental loss as Alex Lawes passed away suddenly. He was 38. Here Alan shares some of his memories of a dear friend, business founder and partner in crime.
“The outpouring of support we had from everyone is something I will never forget. I had mates from breweries across Europe offering to send me brewers and offering to send me marketing resource. A friend from Switzerland is an scientist. He used to be in beer and told me that he has a month’s vacation to use and that he would come to the brewery to work for nothing in return. Thankfully we got back on our feet without taking up these generous offers but considering how swamped everyone is, I could not have felt more arms around me if I tried.
But that’s the thing, Alex had an impact on people wherever he went. We had so many messages from our friends from across the world. No individual you meet once should be able to have that impact on you, but he was able to. You meet Alex and that was it, you’d come way thinking ‘wow, he’s one of the best people ever’ because he’s hilarious and inspiring. He was a terrifically-intelligent guy, like stupidly intelligent.
Alex was obviously a brewing genius. I think everyone who interacted with him kind of knew that. But I think the biggest strength that the guy had, and still has even though he’s left us, is his phenomenal ability to bring people together from all different walks of life. He could connect people who shouldn’t be together, but he did so in such a normal, organic way. I’m now friends with a baker from the Midlands who comes to visit us. Why? Because of Alex.
Through Whiplash we were able to help grow a community and that’s something we continued with Fidelity. Fidelity was the brainchild of myself and Alex for probably the last 10 years. There’s a spot on Queen St in the Smithfield part of Dublin. Around there used to be a place called Dice Bar. For the longest time we said to each other that we wanted that bar.
“I think the biggest strength that the guy had, and still has even though he’s left us, is his phenomenal ability to bring people together from all different walks of life. He could connect people who shouldn’t be together but in such a normal organic way.”
Alan Wolfe
We had amazing times there way back when because there was just a weird mix from corporates to poets. Nobody really gave a shit who was there and everyone drank outside and had a great time. Before me knew each other there would have been many times where we were both there and not realised the other was there too.
So we always wanted that pub, and then COVID made that pub reachable. We tried to buy it and couldn’t as the landlord who owns all the land decided to. But as second bidders, coupled with a group of people that wanted us to buy it, meant we were eventually able to get it leased to us. We teamed up with our best pals Dave and Steve from The Big Romance and with their background in music, we’ve created a community space that means you’re only ever one degree of separation from anyone there.
That bar is a testament to Alex’s energy, which he had in spades. He and I always had the reputation of being the crazy ones that would walk into a room and change the space and energy. And with Whiplash we were those same crazy people bobbing around Europe. Earlier this year I didn’t have any energy to continue with new projects. But I’m getting the excitement back for more projects that create spaces like that for people to enjoy themselves, meet others and make new friends, all the stuff that myself and Alex talked about. We had plans for other spaces and other concepts all of which I still want to do as they excited us.
There’s times I’m at the brewery on my own at the weekend doing checks with nobody else around and struggle with him not being with us anymore. But then there’s time with the full team around. I look at all we’ve collectively built here and realise how proud I am and at that point I’m excited and driven once again. We’ve just released our non-alcoholic Pils, which is great, and we are also pressing on with our vintage program of decoction porters, brown ales and stouts. Beers that pre-date Guinness.
There were once something like 88 breweries in Dublin and they were all decoction. As a decoction-ready outfit we are excited about our plans and with the help of some great brewers and great friends it’s a path that feels right to continue on.
Through these type of projects that Alex’s spirit will live on in. In Fidelity there will also be a plaque at a table ‘Reserved for Alex Lawes’ for his favorite seats in the space. We are also looking into initiatives in the arts that support creative spaces for young artists. That’s the way we think it’s best to commemorate his legacy were just figuring it out at the moment.
And finally, people probably already know how intelligent Alex was. He had an emotional maturity and curiosity that meant he was constantly learning and as I tell him “off down a rabbit hole”.
Whether that was reading old Irish literature, or books on photography or videography coupled with his passion for brewing and baking. He was a phenomenal cook, and I mean a phenomenal cook. He had some type of -tism that meant once he bought into something new he would be fully-invested in it. By that I mean there would be six months of learning that would allow him to stand next to a professional in the field and know every nuance in their field. It was remarkable to watch because when I get home from work I don’t have the energy to be an adult let alone study a new field….
“There’s times I’m at the brewery on my own at the weekend doing checks with nobody else around and struggle with him not being with us anymore. But then there’s time with the full team around. I look at all we’ve collectively built here and realise how proud I am and at that point I’m excited and driven once again.”
Alan Wolfe
Alex did more in his short 38 years than most people would hope to do in their lifetime. He had qualities in absolute abundance. He was absurdly intelligent but let me tell you, he was mad frustrating as well. We treated each other like brothers.
He drove me mad and I’ve no doubt I drove him mad too but that’s what made all of this work. He’d be the first one to slag you off, too. In January we had over 60 days of constant rain and unfortunately my house flooded, when I told him he asked me how I was first but then immediately followed with “you know you can buy a canoe in the middle isle of Lidl”. He enjoyed nothing more than winding me up and I loved him for that. He was an arsehole, but he was my arsehole….”
An industry remembers
Katie Arabella, Pimentae
Meeting Alex and Alan in 2017 was, simply, a life changing experience. I’m sure everyone that met those two together will say the same…
From launching themselves into the River Thames and throwing ragers at the Mayor’s mansion in Dublin, to hosting hot tub parties in the brewery, you cannot word or encapsulate the brilliance of either of them. The two of them continue to, and will always, be the most incredible family. People you know that you can call on forever and more, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.
Not only was Alex a beautifully inquisitive human, he was loyal, he was authentic and he was so true to himself. You couldn’t not mirror the same in yourself when in his company. Something myself and, I imagine, many others struggled to navigate before meeting him and inevitably when in his company.
His impact on the industry, the lives of all who met him that he touched can never be quantified. He was always a teacher in the best possible way. And even now, I think he’s still teaching us all. Together.
Teaching us to talk, to check in, to be present and to never take a love or loyal friend for granted. Alex has imprinted on so many of us in so many ways, and I know his influence will continue to make us all think, care, love and challenge in his honour.
His contribution to the beer and hospitality industry is everlasting, as is our love for him..
Brian Dickson, Northern Monk
We first brewed with Alex back in 2018 in the run up to that year’s Hop City. Aside from his legendary wit and good humour, it was his remarkable brewing mind that stuck with me. We’d work on many more beers in the coming years and getting to spend so many hours hearing him talk on every aspect of brewing, on his audacious plans for their first brewhouse, on how many different ideas he had for breaking his mash filter and on just how little grain actually goes into those macro Irish stouts, was a true pleasure. It quickly became apparent that this fierce intellect wasn’t limited to brewing, if there was a subject he wasn’t versed on and ready to debate over into the early hours, I never discovered it.
Reece Hugill, Donzoko Brewing
I had never met a more detailed technical brewing mind than Alex, he schooled me on so many things. His enthusiasm for beer, brewing, and having a proper good time was unrivalled, and forever contagious.
Miranda Hudson, Duration Brewing
I was devastated to learn of Alex’s passing. The loss of such a character and talented brewer is a tough blow that has sent ripples across the brewing industry.
I remember cracking a can of Whiplash on the day Bates and I moved from London to Norfolk to build our bricks-and-mortar brewery. Our lives were packed into boxes and we were embarking on this epic journey.
Full of nerves and excitement, I looked at that can and thought about how much I admired the conviction Alex and the Whiplash team had in creating beer with character and flair that was, well, uncompromisingly them. The artwork was captivating, and the beer was exceptional.
Like us, they started Whiplash as cuckoo brewers and, in those early years, seeing others carve a path in the same way we intended to made the impossible feel possible. That was really important. It helped me hold the courage of my convictions building a brewery from the ground up.
When the invite came for Duration to pour at Whiplash’s first beer festival in Dublin, just months after we opened, it felt like we’d been welcomed into the brewing world. We barely knew them, yet the warmth of the Irish welcome we received at Fidelity was second to none.
We made a beer together called *The Road Don’t Go Forever* and now, of course, that feels so poignantly apt it really gets me. It was a big, bold Double IPA, a style that perfectly captured the exuberant natures of both Alex and Alan. The artwork shows two people in a Cadillac driving off into the sunset, Thelma and Louise-style, heading into another dimension.
The outpouring of love from the brewing community speaks volumes about the respect, generosity and warmth Alex inspired. It has been moving to see so many people sharing stories and celebrating the connections he built.
We’d love to rebrew our collaboration in Alex’s honour some time, but for now our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues and his dog, Brettsie.
Fly well, Alex. Rest easy, and catch you on the flip side for a bourbon or two.
Peter Kennelly, Pillars Brewery
I met Alex for the first in university back in Dublin in 2008. The second you’d meet Alex you fell in love with him. His infectious laugh and his intense intelligence, which was hidden by his humour and wit. He was the type of man you’d always want by your side be it with a pint in hand, at a lecture or just talking nonsense in the cafeteria.
After getting to know him more in our early years, it became apparent that beer and homebrewing were his true passions alongside baking. He was a real nerd. He’d bring in bottles of his homebrew to house parties and talk endlessly about the ingredients and process to bottle and brew his first batches of ‘Scaldy Porter’. All of us just poor students just wanted the free booze but first we’d listen to Alex talk excitedly about the blend of malts he used in his latest batch. We didn’t really notice it then, or at least I didn’t, but he was clearly a genius when it came to the alchemy of brewing.
As most of us in the university degree either dropped out, stayed back a year (as I did), graduated or parted ways, thankfully, Alex was still a bit part of my life even after I graduated and moved to London. As I began to work in the beer scene over here we kept in touch. When Alex called you or you him, you knew you were in for a long conversation of laughs, plans and general ‘doing’. And ‘doing’ is the perfect word to describe Alex.
He was always up to something. Always improving. He had an unrivalled restlessness. Every time I’d come back home to Dublin, I’d drop him a line. “Sure just come by the brewery,” he’d said nonchalantly. And this was before he and Alan had their own space but at a brewery they were renting a few tanks at. And it was clear just from the first few minutes that they’d outgrown the space.
He kindly guided myself and my wide-eyed brother around the brewery sampling tank after tank. Each beer was as good as the last. I thought to myself about how this university party legend (ask me for the specific nights if you want) had created a brand and brewery so different from anything else in Ireland at the time. It was truly incredible. His infectious conviviality had been superimposed onto the Whiplash brand and identity. And it resonated deeply with drinkers.
Fast forward through many phone calls, meet-ups at beer festivals, even a job offer and pints and meals in Dublin and London. I was so happy to call Alex a friend. I’d happily catch up with him over a pint and listen to him talk about mash filters for hours. To talk about the harsh realities of the Irish beer market or the mischief he and Alan recently got up to.
Alex truly was so generous. With his time, his intellect, but I think most importantly with his attention. He has left such an indelible impact on the beer world, Dublin, me and so many lives.
More recently he replied to an Instagram story I posted and made me laugh. “I’m not reading your blog, man, just pick up the phone”. In a world full of content, confusion, consumption, chaos and intensity, all Alex really wanted to do was slow down and have a chat. And you know what, we need more people like Alex.
Miss you dear friend.
Stefan Melbourne, Track Brewing Co
I first met Alex on the streets of Barcelona in 2018. He and Alan had travelled over to collaborate with Garage, and we were there to pour at the Barcelona Beer Festival. They were somewhat dusty from the previous evening, but the life and energy they brought was palpable.
Whiplash had emerged as one of the most exciting breweries in the European beer scene, their beer and aesthetic immediately putting them on everyone’s radar, and justifiably so. In meeting Alex and Alan that day, I saw a brotherhood and partnership that I knew would carry forward for many years to come.
Over the years, pouring alongside them at festivals across Europe, I got to know Alex a little better, and what became apparent was that it wasn’t just brewing that he knew a lot about. It was, well… everything. Democracy in India, some esoteric music genre, he was versed and confident to unpack it all there at the bar. Sometimes he’d scramble my mind talking about fermentation profiles and mash efficiencies, and I’d smile and nod, hoping he wouldn’t notice I had no idea what he was talking about. But I was happy to be in his company, to be around a passion and intelligence so sharp it left me feeling like a wooden spoon. I loved those conversations, and I feel a great sadness that I won’t get the chance to have more of them. He was a man who contained multitudes, and I feel I barely scratched the surface.
For me, the greatest part of this industry is the people. I’ve been privileged to meet so many wonderful, fascinating, caring folks over the years, all pursuing their own passions in their own ways, and Alex was one of the brightest sparks among them. Our lives but brushed against each other, but the mark he left is something I cherish and is lasting.
I just wish I could sit with him for one more beer.
Iván Raho, Oddity Brewing
I was fortunate enough to meet Alex when I was still working as a barman and bar manager in two craft beer bars in Barcelona, Ølgod and Kælderkold. At the time, I was trying to find my place in the industry and understand where my future might lie. Everything changed when I met Alex and Alan.
Alex became not only one of my closest friends, but also one of the most important mentors I ever had in brewing.
Around 2016-2017, he encouraged me to take what was then the General Certificate of Brewing, helping me see brewing not just as a passion, but as a profession that I could truly dedicate myself to. His passion, obsession with precision, and depth of knowledge shaped my perspective in a way that nothing else had before. He also gave me my first brewing job in Dublin, an opportunity that changed the course of my career. The confidence he placed in me at that stage of my life had a lasting impact, and I will always be grateful for it.
My partner Victoria and I built Oddity Brewing thanks in large part to the encouragement and support of Alex and Alan. More than six years later, I still find it hard to believe what we have achieved. Without their belief in us, I am not sure Oddity Brewing would exist today.
Beyond his technical knowledge and achievements, what I will remember most is his generosity. He was always willing to share his time, his experience, and his advice with others. Alex’s influence can be found in countless ways. I will always remember his unique sense of humour and his unmistakable laugh. He had a gift for telling jokes, especially the terrible ones, and somehow making everyone laugh.
His memory will live on in the many great songs, stories, beers, and moments shared with friends throughout the years. And if there is one thing Alex truly excelled at beyond brewing, it was being a proper seshlord, whether that meant sharing a late-night pint or slinging pints of Slow Life Nitro Stout at Dark City’s first showcase.
Alex Lawes | 1988 – 2026
