Taproom Artifact: Shillelagh

A Shillelagh is a walking stick or club with a large knob at the top. Made from blackthorn sticks, the traditional method of manufacturing a shillelagh entails lodging the cut stick in a chimney for several months  to give it a black, shiny appearance. After removal from the chimney, the stick is rubbed with oils or sealants to yield and 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 among gentlemen. Today the shillelagh is an icon of Irish culture and pride in being Irish. 

If you wonder where you might have seen a shillelagh previously, take a look at the logo for the Boston Celtics….or watch what the leprechaun from Notre Dame carries onto the football field… or even examine Gandalf’s staff a little closer. Based upon its prominence in Irish culture, we could think of no better name for our Irish Ale.