Irish Dry Stout Tasting March 24th

Damn, it really sucks that we can't get Beamish here in the US anymore. It was easily my favorite Irish stout before Carlsburg/Heinekin/whoever-owned-them stopped importing it to the US circa 2008.

I'll do my best to contribute with some Murphy's.

 

I'm having a few people over for St. Patrick's evening, and was hoping to have a selection of traditional Irish Dry Stouts on hand, but besides Guinness and Murphy's (which I will purchase), I was hoping for something local in the style, and then use the "leftovers" (or set-asides if necessary) for this on line tasting! But, unless I want to grab some growlers from one of the couple of locals who have it on tap, I'll have to broaden the selections.

I've come to the conclusion that no one buys Irish Dry Stouts because they like the style. They buy Ginnness because of the cachet of the name. That's why even Murphy's has a tough time competing.

 

Got an Aldi in town? Around this time of year they put a Stout on shelves for St. Pat's called O'Shea's (psst... it's made for them by O'Hara's!).

Also, I'd bet Old Chicago has free WiFi!

 

Have you tried Beamish? I was Team Murphy's until I had Beamish....which hasn't been available in the states for around 10 years now lol so I guess it's back to Team Murphy's.

 

My sister was friends with someone who worked for Carlsberg USA. Whatever happened to them anyway? I remember them doing alot of marketing for, as I recall, Skol (the beer not the tobacco), Sol among other brands.

 

Haha are they doing that in the US too? I think the O'Hara's beers are a little better, could just be basing that on the branding wouldn't be surprised to see they were the same recipe.

The standard O'Hara's stout is nice but the Leann Follain is definitely a better beer - no idea about the distribution in the US but if you see it give it a go.

 

That was a very nice Stout but it is no longer listed on Brooklyn's web site and I haven't seen it at retail for at least 2 years. To bad.

 

I can but I'm not a fan.

 

What's an Aldi?
Yeah, I could do the wi-fi thing.

 

I'd recommend all VA ppl to sample O Connor Dry Irish Stout or Parkway Coal Miners Dodder, pretty readily available

 

That is interesting. We started getting cans of Murphy's in Ontario again about a year or so ago after a hiatus of 15 to 20 years or more. My wife and I lived in Cork in 2006 and she loved the stuff. It was already Heineken owned, and I think was still brewed in the north end. Beamish was definitely still being brewed at the old brewery. I lived around the corner and my wife couldn't believe how the area always smelled of 'Wheeties.' "How can anyone live here!" she would exclaim. I preferred Beamish as I always found both Murphy's and Guinness to be too sweet by comparison.

Getting back to the Ontario cans. They read "Brewed by John Smith Brewery, Tadcaster, England." Interesting how we get it from a different source up here.

 

Nope, never had it. Would love to

 

It's a German-owned, independent, low-priced grocery store. They have decent deals on beer and wine too.

I'm betting it's the same beer with a different label -- sure tasted identical. Trader Joe's (Aldi Nord over here) does the same thing with many U.S. breweries -- same beer, custom label.

 

Care to elaborate on that? Particularly the first line. I could be misinterpreting you, but I buy Guinness and related beers because I like them and the "style."

 

Sounds like an awesome Idea. Count me in!!

 

For those in NYC area, what dry stout options do you find in store? I've only seen the big 2, and expecting Brooklyn to arrive soon enough.

 

I was being hyperbolic. "Not enough people" (rather than no one) to maintain the style as a regular craft offering, and in fact, it is difficult to sustain competition to Guinness at all. Guinness has a huge percentage of the market for the style, even in Ireland, according to what I have read.

"They buy Guinness because of the cachet of the name" IMO is true for the vast majority who buy the style. They buy Guinness because it is Guinness, not because they want an Irish Dry Stout and are looking for one to try.

 

My only experience with the style was a one-and-done Guinness on draught several years ago... ≤ meh. But I'm willing to give the style another go for this event. Murphy's seems to be the only viable option around me. At least BeerMenus says a local shop has the stuff imported from Ireland (not the Netherlands). A 4-pack for only $6.49. Will also check a nearby Aldi"s for that O'Hara's-brewed house label.

 

Definitely Breckenridge, and I'm hoping to get O'Hara's, but it's harder to come by.