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Beer Nut: Exploring Two Classic Irish Stouts Beyond Guinness
Columnist George Lenker shares some classic Irish stouts ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. George Lenker
With St. Patrick’s Day just around the bend, Guinness is probably on some readers’ minds.
Although I drink mostly Irish craft beer on my visits to the Emerald Isle, I’m sure no one will be surprised to learn that I also indulge in plenty of The Black Stuff. Although it’s true that even most of the older traditional pubs now feature at least a few craft offerings, Guinness is always a welcome choice when I want to keep the alcohol level on the lower side.
Of course there are any number of good craft stouts in Ireland, including Carlow Brewing’s excellent O’Hara’s Stout and Wicklow Brewing’s Black 16, but you can’t always find them everywhere (although O’Hara’s is pretty ubiquitous). However, if you want an standard alternative to Guinness that is fairly available in most municipalities, there are two that you should try: Murphy’s and Beamish.
Let me start with this caveat: Only one of those options is available here in America as of this writing. So I’m also writing this with the idea that some of you will be visiting Ireland and can seek all sorts of stouts out when you’re there. I’m also hoping they’ll all be available again at some point. But let’s start with the one that you can get here in the United States .
Murphy’s Irish Stout originally hails from Co. Cork, which was the only place you could get it until 1983, when Heineken acquired the rights to the brand. Whitbread got the rights to brew and distribute it in the U.K. in 1988, and Whitbread was acquired by a subsidiary of the multinational group Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2000.
Since I never had it before the big boys took it over, I can’t say if it’s changed over the years, but I’m always worried that good products often do – but not always. I have had it plenty of times since 2000, including my most recent trip to Ireland in January. And I have to say it’s pretty tasty stuff. It has a more pronounced toffee note than Guinness and seemed to have a lighter body. There is also a noticeable coffee element to it.
So, if you like those aspects, you’ll probably like it. I enjoy it, but I would prefer Guinness most of the time. It’s even lower and alcohol, then goodness, sitting right at 4% ABV.
Beamish Genuine Irish Stout originates from Cork as well. Its first brew was made by Beamish & Crawford, who established their brewery in 1792. The firm went through several ownership changes over the years and is currently non-operational due to its acquisition by Heineken International in 2008. Despite this, the beer is still produced in Cork, at the Heineken facility residing there.
Regrettably, Heineken made the decision to halt its sales in the United States over a decade ago, for reasons unknown. I consider this a loss, as it poses a wonderful alternative to Guinness and Murphy’s. It has a slight hint of chocolate, blending perfectly with the roasted nut flavor. It’s a smooth drink and with a 4.1% ABV, it’s excellent as a session beer. While I hope it makes its way back to the US, I’m not particularly optimistic.
In the spirit of the holiday, happy St. Patrick’s Day. Enjoy the stout beer you prefer most, and cheers!
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The Spread of ‘Nuisance’ Beer Bikes Ban from Europe to UK Cities
Beer bikes banned from European party capitals for being a nuisance are spreading to cities across the UK.
The oversized bikes have been a stag party staple on the Continent for decades but the nuisance they caused on public roads led to them being banned from the centres of Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Munich and Düsseldorf.
Despite their chequered past in Europe, the pedal-powered pubs-on-wheels are popping up in cities across the UK, with services launching in Bristol, Birmingham and Edinburgh in recent weeks.
Seating up to 17 drinkers per bike, pedalling customers pay £450 to drink as many beers as they want while a sober driver steers them through the city streets for an hour.
Thanos Koufis, operations manager for Beer Travel UK, said the
Proposed Halt on Planned Beer Tax Increase in Canada
A package of beer cans moves along a conveyor at the Waterloo Brewing brewery in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Canada’s finance minister announced tax relief aimed at the country’s small breweries ahead of a deadline that would have seen certain duties on domestic beer, wine and spirits more than double.
The government is proposing to cap an inflation adjustment for excise taxes charged on domestically produced beer, spirits and wine at 2% for the next two years, Chrystia Freeland said in a statement Saturday, extending a similar limit implemented last year. It was previously set to increase to 4.7% as of April 1.
Understanding Beer Quantities: How Many Pints are in a Standard Keg?
In the realm of beer, kegs bridge the gap between brewers, ranging from large scale breweries to those brewing in their basements, and beer enthusiasts. Beer kegs are of various shapes and sizes, from smaller ones, such as the Heineken mini keg perfect for a friends’ gathering, to quarter-barrel kegs often seen at college parties. They can be rented for different occasions and filled with beverages like soda and cider, not just beer.
Industry standard or full kegs are widely used for storing, transporting and dispensing beer at bars, restaurants,and various events. If you have wondered about the capacity of a standard keg, it holds about 124 pints, which is quite a large amount.
Read more: 10 Of The Healthiest Beers You Can Drink
A standard keg, often referred to as a half-barrel, is one of the largest kegs available. A reliable keg supplier should be able to tell you how many beers you can actually fetch from a keg. To put it into a relatable context, it equals approximately 165 12-ounce bottles of beer or around 27 six-packs. However, unless you are managing a college fraternity or a catering service, you may not really require one of these larger kegs.
A few kegs offer more manageable capacities, with differing shapes such as the quarter barrel keg and the slim quarter keg. The former is short and sturdy, the latter tall and slender. Both types are suitable for small to medium-sized gatherings, each accommodating 62 pints, a reasonable quantity of beer for a group. For smaller social events, a mini keg, also referred to as a bubba keg, could be the better choice. These contain ten pints, making them ideal for a small dinner or barbecue with a few friends.
You can read the original article on Daily Meal.
Public Reaction to the Odd Integration of an Old Beer Ad into a ‘Star Wars’ TV Broadcast
Product placement has been a staple (if not scourge) of cinema since the dawn of the medium. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s done as a satirical joke (while also serving as product placement). But no example is as pronounced as what a Chilean advertising agency did when they advertised Cerveza beer in the early 2000s.
Over the weekend, someone on Twitter dropped an example of what Chilean TV viewers saw when they watched the original Star Wars trilogy. One of the advertisers was Cristal Beer, but instead of interrupting the movie for traditional commercial breaks, they had their product edited directly into the film. For instance, this alteration occurs early on in the first Star Wars, when Luke Skywalker initially encounters Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Around 2003 in Chile, when the original Star Wars trilogy started being broadcast on television, a unique advertising method was used to avoid cutting to commercial breaks. The commercials were incorporated into the films themselves. Below is an example of one such commercial, with the English dub added in. Source
— Windy 🛸 (@heyitswindy) March 2, 2024
That’s right: Obi-Wan grabs a Cristal Cerveza, complete with a little jingle. Can they get Cristal at the Mos Eisley cantina? Probably not!
That wasn’t the only example. There’s the part where Obi-Wan is infiltrating the Death Star.
this is the funniest fucking thing ever oh my god https://t.co/XXDzkmxuON pic.twitter.com/spMRtArFvb
— Ren (@StanNajimi) March 3, 2024
And the climax from Return of the Jedi, with Emperor Palpatine chilling on his throne with a cool one before he eats it (before coming back, of course).
I’d never heard of it, and it’s fantastic.
Above all, it explains how Palpatine somehow survived: with Cerveza Cristal.
— The Spaceshipper 🚀 (@TheSpaceshipper)
It’s true, these advertisements have not only materialized but also garnered award recognition. A 2004 article from The Guardian unveils that OMD Santiago, the creative agency behind the campaign, clinched the most prestigious award at that year’s Cannes International Advertising Festival. Cristal was incorporated into several blockbuster films when they were televised, a feat deemed “genius” by the judging panel.
The content erupted in popularity, thus giving birth to a fresh meme trend. Users started integrating Cristal into a plethora of movies, shows, and miscellaneous media. A significant number were Star Wars-themed.
A snippet of the CERVEZA CRISTAL jingle found here.
A Tweet by user Braddington posted on March 4, 2024.
New Star Wars piece just dropped #cervezacristal pic.twitter.com/wTSB7TeGeN
— Readful Things (@Readful_Things) March 6, 2024
🎶 CERVESA CRISTAL 🎶 pic.twitter.com/T9JiIJ7SF8
— Kristen Bates (@kristenkbates) March 4, 2024
🎶 CERVEZA CRISTAL🎶 pic.twitter.com/4AufswYKuw
— Punch It Chewie Press 🔜 WonderCon (@PunchitChewie77) March 5, 2024
Okay, last one. pic.twitter.com/i95s6lOjRx
— Tim Owens, Cat Wrangler (@AtTimOwens) March 5, 2024
such an iconic moment pic.twitter.com/x3U90j1890
— Veers Watch (@VeersWatch) March 5, 2024
— the thicc husband & father (@lukeisamazing) March 4, 2024
Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Cerveza Cristal is my new favorite thing. pic.twitter.com/ZzLFdUl2SR
— matt green (@thatmattgreen) March 5, 2024
Lord of the Rings.
— Jordan Mychal Lemos (@jordanarywriter) March 4, 2024
— JRR Jokien (@joshcarlosjosh) March 5, 2024
🎵 CERVEZA CRISTAL 🎵 pic.twitter.com/yejA2tapPK
— Matt Pashby (@Pashbrown) March 5, 2024
Dune.
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) March 4, 2024
cerveza cristal pic.twitter.com/k90TsBmoWu
— free larry 🦅 (@kennetzio) March 5, 2024
It’s the official drink of the south, Paul. pic.twitter.com/C9YnecreM6
— james w (@OmgMoreJames) March 5, 2024
Spider-Man 2.
🎶CERVEZA CRISTAL 🎶 pic.twitter.com/nonsuOdUfT
— Ignacio Bahamondes (@ignxcio) March 5, 2024
Alien.
— Tim Owens, Cat Wrangler (@AtTimOwens) March 4, 2024
Everything Everywhere All at Once.
“In another life, I would have really liked just drinking Cerveza Cristal con mis amigos.” pic.twitter.com/VrWfh8dhhN
— Carl Kinsella (@TVsCarlKinsella) March 5, 2024
Se7en.
These Cerveza Cristal ads are getting wild#cervezacristal pic.twitter.com/LeJwdaUVGN
— Jason Aul (@JasonAul) March 6, 2024
Surely Cristal is enjoying all this free advertising.
Cerveza Cristal seeing their sales go up 7000% due to memes pic.twitter.com/riuOYRTTBA
— Fallen Oshes (@DaveOshry) March 5, 2024
(Via Business Insider)
Pedro Pascal Replaces Snoop Dogg in Corona’s Marketing Strategy to Reach Latino Beer Drinkers
Mexican beer brand Corona is introducing a fresh marketing initiative, acquiring Chilean actor Pedro Pascal’s service aiming to engage Latino consumers.
The beer brand’s previous campaign, “La Vida Mas Fina,” featured the rapper Snoop Dogg. But with the transition to Pascal, the company expresses the need for “a shift in tone” in its marketing strategy.
“Every member of Corona is enthusiastic to give a warm welcome to Pedro as part of our team,” shared Saul Trejo, Corona’s marketing executive. “Pedro’s cultural influence is beyond doubt, and to honour our common roots and establish ourselves as a comprehensive Latino brand, we couldn’t ask for a better collaborator than Pedro Pascal.”
Meanwhile, Constellation Brands, responsible for Corona’s marketing in the U.S., stated that while appreciative of Snoop Dog’s contributions, they will be moving forward with Pascal for future campaigns.
Pascal, who is recognized for his main characters in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, incurred the anger of conservatives in November 2021 when he shared posts on social media exculpating Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, the two individuals who were fatally shot by Kyle Rittenhouse in an act of self-defense. Pascal’s justification for Rosenbaum, a former convict with numerous child sex offenses, was sharply critiqued, with one legal expert terming it as “glorifying a child rapist.”
TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER, CLICK HERE
In addition to his identifiable characters, Pascal is also acclaimed for his portrayal of Oberyn Martell in the Game of Thrones series.
The change of Corona’s spokesperson coincides with a surge in the popularity of international beers in the U.S. In the last year, Modelo outpaced Bud Light to become the best-selling beer brand in the nation.
Top Irish Whiskeys to Savor This St. Paddy’s Day – Bypassing the Green Beer Tradition
The best Irish whiskey is an utterly sippable spirit and the perfect way to more maturely raise a glass this March 17. So put down the Midori and Sour Apple Pucker. And yes, you, with the green beer — that’s quite enough. St. Patrick’s Day may have come a long way from its original religious roots in the Emerald Isle, but we’re here to say that this festive holiday can still be enjoyed with a simulacrum of sophistication.
Though many may have been introduced to Irish whiskey via the venerable mainstay Jameson, things have come a long way in the last two decades. “In 2013, there were only 4 operating distilleries in Ireland. That number has grown to around 30 now,” says Jonathan Adler, beverage director of New York City’s trendy Shinji’s cocktail bar. In fact, according to DISCUS, (Distilled Spirits Council of the United States), it’s the higher end, premium and super premium brands that have been pulling folks in for a twee taste, allowing Irish whiskey to grow a staggering 932 percent and 6000 percent respectively.
Related article: The 7 best wine subscriptions for bottles delivered to your door
They may look similar, but not all whiskeys are created equal. “It has been highly contested whether the Irish or Scots actually created whiskey, but the differences between the two make it quite the exciting spirit to sip on,” Adler says, adding that his tastes skew towards Irish whiskeys with less malted grain, which tend to be on the lighter side.
The first thing to note is the three categories you can choose from: blended, single pot still and single malt. But what truly sets Irish whiskeys apart are their looser specifications. “Irish whiskey is a relatively flexible term in that the whiskey needs only to be made in Ireland and aged for a minimum of three years from any yeast-fermented mash of cereal grains,” says Brett Esler, a bartender at Murray’s Tavern, Austin, TX. “This allows for very diverse flavor profiles across the spirit category as a whole in comparison to its popular counterparts like Bourbon and Scotch, which are a bit more bound to their legal requirements.”
But why should you give it a try and what do you need to know before you decide on a bottle? “Irish whiskey is perhaps the most approachable category of whiskey for newcomers. Most Irish whiskeys (but not all) are triple-distilled, which gives them an extra smoothness that can be lacking in many other types of whiskey,” says Mark Gallespie, host of the WhiskeyCast podcast. “Look for the creaminess in a blended Irish whiskey, while Single Pot Still will have a lot of baking spices on the nose and palate. Single malts will generally combine the two with barley sugar sweetness.”
Patrick Watson, wine & spirits educator at Smith & Vine, a local wine store in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, sees Irish whiskey sales picking up considerably around this time of year. And he’s a fan. “What I love about Irish whiskey is … it has a rich viscosity and rarely burns like some other high alcohol whiskeys,” he adds.
Of course, if you’re playing it safe with wine this year, or want to join the fun without the alcohol, there’s plenty of other options as well. But if you decide to pick up a bottle of Irish whiskey before you paint the town green this St. Patrick’s Day, here are six of our favorite bottles.
Why not put a new spin on a classic favourite? Jameson’s Black Barrel Irish whiskey is often touted as the most enjoyable sip, a sentiment we concur with. This irish whiskey, which is triple distilled and rich in single pot ingredients, bursts with flavour. It’s also seasoned for up to 16 years, resulting in a robust, sweet, and potent drink. The initial smoky charred scent is particularly appealing to us.
Suitably named after the Natterjack toad native to — you guessed it, Ireland — this newly introduced, triple-distilled spirit advertises itself as an Irish whiskey featuring an American accent. The blend consists of 20% malted barley and 80% corn, which is then refined in American oak casks — giving it an ultra-smooth and mild flavour, with notes of toffee, vanilla, and even a hint of cinnamon. Coupled with the fantastic design on the bottle, it makes for an ideal gift for whiskey enthusiasts.
Produced in a distillery stationed at Slane Castle, a stone’s throw away from Dublin, this high-quality, triple distilled blend of three casks offers a first note of pronounced spice, mellows out to a sweet flavour, featuring subtle hints of butterscotch and banana. What we particularly appreciate about it is its toasty finish — and its reasonable price tag. And who could forget that Slane grows its own barley on site for brewing?
Are you in the mood for something slightly unique? Powers is the first-ever Irish whiskey made entirely from Irish rye mash, and it’s definitely worth a try. Aged in American oak barrels, this whiskey has a lighter gold hue compared to our other selections, and the flavour veers towards the sweet to counterbalance the earthy spice. In addition, it’s smoother to sip than your usual American ryes.
Micro Distilleries have become extremely popular, which has brought the same attention to Irish whiskey. This one-of-a-kind single-pot whiskey, developed by the expert distillers at Midleton Distillery in County Cork, has an unique, somewhat earthy aroma, primarily due to the Garryana oak barrels it’s matured in, sourced from the Pacific Northwest. Even though it’s a little pricey at almost $100, it’s certainly worth it for the smooth texture and the complex flavors of sweet golden raisins and crushed black pepper.
Redbreast is the first taste of high-end Irish whiskey for many, and this 12-year-old spirit is the perfect starting point for those new to the experience. It’s a combination of malted and unmalted barleys and has been aged in both sherry and bourbon casks. This single pot still whiskey is very enjoyable to drink, with a sweet aroma, a creamy, nutty flavor and a dry yet spicy conclusion.
Beer Nut: Comparing Three Classic Beers with Modern IPAs
How do these three classics stand up to modern IPAs? (George Lenker photo) George Lenker
Regular readers will be familiar with my love for old-school West Coast IPAs. The style remains my favorite overall.
Of course, readers are also acquainted with my frustration over the oversaturation of New England IPAs these days. The style itself is fine, although it can be taken to extremes that I’m not crazy about. But again, my main issue is the sheer number of them. Yet as I’ve said: I can’t blame brewers for making beer that sells.
Last week I was poking around in Liquors 44 here in Northampton and wandered down to the last beer case in the corner on the left. That’s where you can find single cans and bottles of random beers. As luck (fate?) would have it, I was able to snag three old-school classic IPAs (although one is a double IPA): Stone IPA, Dogfish Head 60-minute IPA and Dogfish Head 90-minute IPA (the double).
I seized them with the thought of re-exploring the beers considering how much modern IPAs have transformed. As I hadn’t tasted any of the three in a long time, the outcomes were both somewhat astonishing and also consistent with my assumptions.
Initiating with Stone, the initial swigs seemed hoppier than my memory served. This was an unexpected revelation, given that I remembered it being one of the most hopped beers around 20-plus years back. It retained a strong malt composition, albeit without any sweetness. I discovered subsequently that Stone had modified the beer’s dry-hopping over the years, rationalizing the heightened hoppiness.
I have the impression that Stone IPA holds its own exceptionally well against today’s hop heavyweights, though in a more level manner. This is a bonus in my view. The hops mix yet delivers the delicious citrusy character that rendered it a preferred beer in times past.
Dogfish’s 60-minute IPA brings along another narrative entirely, but one that culminates in a happy (or should I say, hoppy?) conclusion. I was always more inclined towards the 90-minute IPA, but I must concede that the 60-minute variant matches up well. Bright and grassy, this beer was actually the sequel to the 90. Currently, my preference leans towards more sessionable beers, in which case, the 60 is an impeccable choice if you’re yearning for a phenomenal IPA. I sampled it alongside Building 8’s The IPA (a personal favourite), and it held its ground impeccably.
I shouldn’t really even include the 90-minute IPA here because it’s a double, but since I bought and drank it, I’m going to. I actually recall the very first time I had it (in Northampton’s Bishop’s Lounge circa 2003(?). One sip and I was in love. The blend of piney notes with a citrus blast, finished with slightly sweet aftertaste, rocketed the beer to the top of my list.
I’m here to tell you that it still tastes just as good.
So, although I’m always saying to drink local beer when you can, I would never fault anyone for cheating with these out-of-towners here and there.
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Little Rock Brewery Joins National Effort to Brew Special Beer for April 8 Eclipse
The total solar eclipse is coming to Arkansas.
And so is an eclipse-themed beer.
If you’re lucky, as the last total solar eclipse to visit North America until 2044 crosses over Arkansas and 12 other states on April 8, you could be one of the few sipping such a beer while sitting…
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Honoring a Legacy: Cognizant’s ‘Beer Trap’ Tribute to a Palm Beach Gardens Man’s Battle with Cancer
PALM BEACH GARDENS — A family has made a tradition out of sitting on their back porch with signs offering free beer to thousands of golf fans at what is now the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.
Deep Chopra’s porch, which fronts the golf course grounds, has become a staple destination at the tournament over the years.
Many attendees make a point to stop by to take photos with the sign — about 8 feet tall and wide – draped over the porch. It features the message “The Beer Trap” in bold letters and has been shown at Cognizant for the past nine years.
Alongside the words is a depiction of a brown bear statue that sits just steps away. It marks the area known as “The Bear Trap,” which signifies the tough 15th, 16th and 17th holes at the Champion Course at PGA National.
Accompanying the main sign are two smaller ones, stating “free beer yesterday” and “free beer tomorrow”.
It’s often deemed a trap, as Chopra doesn’t actually provide free beer.
Once upon a time he did, during two tournaments in 2016 and 2017. However, he was asked to cease this practice as his complimentary refreshments were in competition with the beer being sold elsewhere on the course.
For Chopra, this routine transcends a simple joke. It is his tribute to the memory of a former neighbor, Larry, who tragically succumbed to pancreatic cancer approximately four years ago.
Larry had been a fixture, taking his position in his backyard adorned with signs each year when the four-day tournament rolled in. This ritual stood strong for half a decade.
“Upon the passing of my friend, his wife conveyed to me that she held only me in trust for safeguarding the signs and continuing the tradition annually,” Chopra, aged 50, expressed. “Since then I have been dutifully placing them on display for everyone to see.”
The activity of golfing was a medium for Chopra and Larry to bond; they would steal away to indulge in a game or two every week.
“Our camaraderie was heightened by our joint escapades,” commented Chopra. “In a way, our golfing style complimented each other well, given that he was a leftie, while I follow the right-handed style,” he added.
More: Where do Palm Beach County’s PGA Tour pros hang out, eat while not on the golf courses?
Chopra is an avid golf player and fan of the Cognizant tournament.
“I thought golf was just for older people, but I wish I started playing earlier,” Chopra said. “I love the atmosphere of being out on the greens with friends. It’s just so peaceful and calming to me.”
Chopra plans to start a hashtag #TheBeerTrap to bring more attention to the ritual each year and his friend’s legacy.
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How did ‘The Beer Trap’ start? The story behind Cognizant tradition