A Fine Irish Bar

In my travels I seek out the comforting pub, which serves beers and whiskeys and good food and is always filled with many interesting people, whether local or visitor.

The question I have to ask is, Is it the beer that attracts everyone, or is it the other things that the places provide?

I think it is a combination of all. But there are many consistencies among the many pubs that exist there, and they all need these things to be complete.

As a people that have the reputation of being no strangers to drink, it really is amazing to me that the Irish pub, in general, does not have a great selection of beers, which leads me to think that Ireland does not have a really wide range of beers that it makes. The microbrewery is a rare place there, although it does exist, but I think people expect to drink the beer that Ireland makes and drink an import if something else is preferred.

Travelling to Ballina, Ireland, in County Mayo, such a comfortable pub exists, called Murphy Brothers. It is of a classic design accenting wood and brass, its a scene that can be seen all over Ireland and the United Kingdom, and is the inspiration of many pubs and taverns in America as well.

But the setups you see customarily in Ballina, for tap beer, are consistent throughout Ireland, and not offer much of a variety. Maybe it is because the Guinness tastes so good there, and is the preferred drink by pub goers. The brown stuff, poured into pints, are served everywhere and is recognizable by its look and exceptional flavor. But, like most beers I come into contact with that I really enjoy, the full beers don't remain full very long.

Typical setup:

Bulmer's is a cider, Carlsberg is good but Danish, and Guinness and Smithwicks are the classic stout and ale. Even Harp Lager is tough to find in Ireland. But they really rely on their imports, as Americans do, because German beer is not difficult to find. The rest of the refreshment is gained through the food, the fish that is very abundant in Ballina, as well as the entertainment that is enjoyed in the pub, such as watching the many different sports that are played in their country, and musical entertainment that is always provided by the locals.

But after all is said, there is nothing like a Guinness, served in Ireland fresh. The description that have been given about this stout are true only in Ireland, because even with the nitrogen kick that is included in the cans and bottles and drafts here, one can't get the true taste unless you go there. And before long, this:
Becomes this:

Weekly Review: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Has a Range of Flavor

Throughout my discovery of American Pale Ales I have tasted many that compare themselves to the ones that are considered "classic" Americans, or the hallmark of American ales. The one I hear the most is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Since it was always getting good overall reviews among beer advocates, I knew I needed to try it.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was the first beer brewed by Ken Grossman in Chico, California, who named the company after his favorite hiking grounds. They have been brewing it since 1979 and although they make other award winning brews, such as hefe-weizen, porter, stout, IPA and fantastic seasonals, the Pale Ale remains the most popular. Plus it is easily recognizable in its familiar green packaging.

I have to admit it is the best of this category that I have tasted.

When first poured into a tulip glass from the 12 oz bottle, it has a darker amber color with a small amount of lacing and head that dissipates fairly quickly . I instantly catch a smell of fruit, but there's no mistaking the malt.

The bitterness comes out first, and is at the front but the sweetness come to meet it and it finishes well with a strong malty following.

This Pale Ale is what I was hoping for, in that the bitterness hits you first but it smoothed out towards the end and balanced out the sweetness. I feel a little dryness at the end too.

I don't know what could have been a better description of an American Pale Ale, than the Sierra Nevada. I have to admit that it was what everyone had said it was going to be.