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What happens when you put six Irish beers in front of two craft beer enthusiasts? A St. Patrick's Day adventure that reveals the surprising truth about Irish craft beer.

The Northwoods Beer Guy and his co-host embark on a post-holiday tasting journey through various Irish beer styles, from dry stouts to red ales and beyond. Starting with Phase 3's Claddagh Irish Dry Stout, they discover an approachable alternative to Guinness that might appeal to novice craft drinkers. As they work through The Knot Irish Red Ale, Johnny Blood Red, Busted Knuckle, and more, a pattern emerges - these craft versions struggle to match the depth and character of their established commercial counterparts.

Between sips, fascinating tidbits emerge: St. Patrick wasn't actually Irish but was kidnapped by Irish pirates; blue was originally associated with St. Patrick before green took over; and the Chicago River was first dyed green to trace sewage leaks, not celebrate the holiday. The hosts also share the amusing story of football legend Johnny "Blood" McNally, who famously negotiated his Packers contract down from $110 to $100 per week specifically to preserve his right to drink after Wednesdays.

The tasting concludes with Lakefront's Export Stout, which delivers more pronounced flavor but perhaps not in the most appealing way. This leads to a surprising admission from the typically craft-beer-championing hosts: sometimes the established brands like Guinness and Killian's might actually be the better choice when it comes to Irish beer.

As they put it, "That's why the leprechauns are so angry - they're looking for good flavorful beer!" Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or just curious about Irish brewing traditions, this episode offers honest insights and plenty of laughs.

Join us for our next adventure and remember - may your campfire always be warm and your beer always be cold!

Thank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at northbeerguy@gmail.com.

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