At the End of the Rainbow, You'll Find Shillelagh Irish Ale

First, let’s start with the pronunciation with a little help from our friends at Websters. (We suggest you practice with a print in your hand). When you break it down it’s fun to say and is about to be a delicious part of your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Gather you’re friends and order a She - ˈlā - lē then step and repeat to an Irish beat!

The Story

A shillelagh is an Irish walking stick or club with a large knob at the top. Generally made from blackthorn, these sticks were traditionally placed in a chimney for several months to give the shillelagh its black, shiny appearance. After removal from the heat source, the stick is rubbed with oils or sealants to yield an even deeper dark glimmer.

 In Ireland, the shillelagh was the gentlemen’s weapon of choice – used in a manner similar to dueling pistols or swords to settle disputes. Today, the shillelagh is an icon of Irish culture and pride in being Irish.

 If you wonder where you might have seen a Shillelagh before… take a look at the logo for the Boston Celtics… or watch what the leprechaun from Notre Dame carries onto the football field…or examine Gandalf’s staff a little closer.

 The Discovery

Shillelagh Irish Ale evolved from the Irish Red Ale – a slightly less popular cousin of Irish Porters and Stouts. However, the Irish Red Ale has an even older history than Porter or Stout being cited in literature as early as the 8th century. Brewers would use "darker", more roasted malts that were more favorable to the water chemistry, hence making the color a little reddish and delivering malt tones of caramel, toffee, and a slight roast flavor. In the old days, hops were not native to Ireland. Irish beers were lightly "spiced" with indigenous herbs called “gruits.” When hops finally arrived, Irish brewers immediately adopted them, contributing a slight earthy character to round out the sweeter, toffee, and roast malts. Shillelagh Irish Ale has a slight amber hue. It is a medium bodied beer with sweetness and a slight earthy hop note. Relax… enjoy!