Browsing the isles of local liquor stores, it’s clear that there are not a lot of Irish imports available in the states. Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s and Murphy’s can be found everywhere, for the most part. Feeling limited in your choices? Thankfully, the 1,414 breweries in the United States offer numerous alternatives to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s a sampling of what is available around the country:
East:
Wachusett Brewing Company
Westminster , MA
"Quinn’s Amber Ale"
Named after one of Wachusett’s founders, Peter Quinn, this is the brewery’s spring release in honor of his Irish roots.
Paper City Brewery
Holyoke, MA
"Ireland Parish Golden Ale"
A blond ale with hops added at the end of fermentation for an extra bite. Central Massachusetts-based Paper City also produces "Riley’s Stout," a traditional Irish Dry Stout.
Victory Brewing Company
Downingtown, PA
“Donnybrook Stout"
Taking its namesake from an annual horse fair in Dublin, this seasonal draft-only release uses British and Slovenian hops to give this take on Ireland’s traditional brew an earthy character.
Harpoon Brewery
Boston, MA
"Hibernian Irish Style Red"
Beantown-based Harpoon has offered this Irish red since 2001. The seasonal release takes its name from the Ancient Roman nickname for Ireland, "Hibernia”-or winter-as they were slow to adapt to the country’s climate.
Midwest:
Schlafly Brewing Company
Saint Louis, MO
"Irish Style Extra Stout"
A hoppy, though balanced, Extra Stout from a relatively unknown St. Louis-based craft brewery released in early February.
Kansas City, MO
"Irish Ale"
Available January through April, this red ale is made from six unique pale and roasted malts with a solid dose of Magnum and Saaz hops.
Goose Island Brewing Company
Chicago, IL
"Kilgubbin Red Ale"
A seasonal release brewed in honor of the Irish immigrants that settled on Kilgubbin Island, near Chicago, with malted rye added at the end of fermentation for a spicy finish.
Summit Brewing Company
Saint Paul, MN
"Great Northern Porter"
Carmel and black malts merge with Cascade and Fuggle hops to form a solid British-style porter, released year-round from Minnesota-based Summit.
South:
Abita Brewing Company
Abita Springs, LA
"Abita Red Ale"
Seasonal release by Louisiana-based Abita, producers of Purple Haze and Turbodog.
Blackstone Restaurant and Brewery
Nashville, TN
"St. Charles Porter"
Though taking after the British Porter style, this Nashville-produced beer was the bronze medalist in 2006 Great American Beer Festival’s Brown Porter category.
Farmville, NC
"The Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout"
Self-proclaimed "Dark Beer Specialists," the 3-year-old brewery was the Bronze medalist in 2006 Great American Beer Festival’s Sweet Stout category.
Tempe, AZ
"McCarthy’s Red"
8-time winner of the Phoenix New Times’ Best Brew Pub award, Four Peak’s releases this Red Ale throughout the spring. Be careful drinking this one; you may get blacklisted!
West:
San Diego, CA
"Speedway Stout"
One of the highest rated brews on Beeradvocate.com; this is an intense Stout with coffee and chocolate notes rounded off with a smooth, but powerful finish.
Boulder, CO
"St. James Irish Red Ale"
Irish ale with a citrusy Cascade hop bite, this beer won the bronze medal in 2006 Great American Beer Festival in the Irish-style Red Ale category.
Novato, CA
"Paddy’s Irish Style Red Ale"
Low hop content, massive barley notes, and caramel undertones are the hallmarks of this World Beer Championship silver medal winning beer.
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