We have Irish beers on the mind today, but at Total Wine & More we know that great beers don’t have to hail from the Emerald Isle to be worthy of a St. Patrick’s Day toast. American craft brewers, inspired by the classic brews of Ireland, are making excellent Irish-style beer right here at home.
4,000 miles from Dublin, Boulevard Brewing Co. of Kansas City pays tribute to the Red Ales of old Ireland with Boulevard Irish Ale. Offering a sweet aroma of roasted caramel malts with hints of earthy, floral and citrus hops, it tastes of caramel, toasted malts and a touch of hop-driven bitterness.
While Ireland’s Guinness is the standard-bearer in the Stout category, American brewers also offer worthy examples of the style. Obsidian Stout from Oregon’s famed Deschutes Brewery is one of our best examples. Deep and robust, it has distinct notes of espresso, chocolate, roasted malt and black barley. It’s a beer that certainly lives up to its 93-point score from Wine Enthusiast.
The nitro trend has produced a fantastic array of beers. The addition of nitrogen to beer results in smaller bubbles that give the beer a creamier, smoother profile. The Milk Stout Nitro from Left Hand Brewing Co. of Longmont, Colo. greets you with aromas of brown sugar, vanilla cream and hints of roasted coffee. Initially roasty, mocha flavors rise up with slight hops and roasted bitter notes. It is truly a dark and delicious beer.
While we’ve covered just a few great Irish-style beers for St. Patrick’s Day, we have more than 2,500 beers of all types waiting for you. Stop by Total Wine & More today and make your own St. Patrick’s Day beer menu.
