Caffrey's Irish Ale, launched in 1994 by Bass Brewery, is currently owned by Molson Coors. The beer was available in the United States until 2002 when Coors decided to cease its importation. Argus McCaffrey's Irish Cream Ale, brewed by Argus Brewery in Chicago, IL, is no longer being produced. However, some individuals in the United States have been drinking Argus McCaffrey's Irish Cream Ale as recently as 2019, suggesting that it may still be available at certain locations or for purchase from other countries.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
McCaffrey's Irish Beer Availability in the USA | No longer available in the USA |
McCaffrey's Irish Beer ABV | 5.5% |
McCaffrey's Irish Beer Calories | ~160 |
McCaffrey's Irish Beer Brewery | Argus Brewery, Chicago, IL |
McCaffrey's Irish Beer Texture | Smooth and light-bodied |
McCaffrey's Irish Beer Taste | Subtle malty taste with a moderate hop aroma and very slight bitterness |
McCaffrey's Irish Beer Packaging | 14.9 oz cans |
What You'll Learn
Where to buy Argus McCaffrey's Irish Cream Ale in the USA
Argus McCaffrey's Irish Cream Ale is a smooth, light-bodied ale with a subtle malty taste, moderate hop aroma, and very slight bitterness. It is brewed by the Argus Brewery in Chicago, Illinois, and has 5.5% ABV and around 160 calories.
Unfortunately, it appears that Argus McCaffrey's Irish Cream Ale is no longer being produced by the brewery. However, you may be able to find it at certain locations in the United States, such as Ballydoyle Irish Pub, The Cellar Door, Garden Island, Barrelman's Room, and EMPIRE burgers + brew. These locations are spread out across the country, with Ballydoyle Irish Pub having multiple locations.
If you are looking to purchase Argus McCaffrey's Irish Cream Ale, your best bet is to contact these establishments directly to inquire about their current stock and availability. Additionally, you can use online tools such as BeerMenus to search for specific beers and discover where they are being served or sold near you.
Please note that the availability of Argus McCaffrey's Irish Cream Ale may vary over time, and it is always a good idea to check with the establishments or use tools like BeerMenus to get the most up-to-date information.
Buying Beer in Indiana: Sunday Shopping Laws Explained
You may want to see also
History of the Caffrey brewing family
The Caffrey brewing family first started brewing beer in Dublin in the late 18th century, about 30 years after the Guinness Brewery was founded. The Caffreys sited their brewery on the River Liffey, a few hundred yards east of the Guinness site.
Nicolas Caffrey, a wealthy silk and linen merchant, decided to set up his own brewery in central Dublin around 1850. He wanted to compete with the famous Guinness beer, which was sold across the city and the rest of the country. Nicolas' son, Thomas Caffrey, joined him in the brewery ten years later. Competition with Guinness was fierce, and Caffrey's beer didn't always capture the attention of the Irish, who were loyal to the leading Dublin stout brand.
After Nicolas Caffrey's death, the Dublin brewery was closed. As it had not been a success, Thomas Caffrey decided to sell the premises and set up another brewery in County Antrim, which he named the "Thomas Caffrey Brewing Co.". This new brewery has continued to produce quality beers distributed all over Ireland.
Thomas Caffrey first established the Ulster Brewery in Queen Street, Belfast, in 1897. The brewery was sold to the Ulster Brewing Company in 1950. The last member of the family to be active in the business, Nicholas James Caffrey, died in 1984. The brewery was acquired by Charringtons (later Bass Charrington) in 1964 and then by Interbrew in 2000.
Caffrey's Irish Ale was launched in 1994 by Bass Brewery and was later sold to Molson Coors. It was marketed as a beer that combined features from other types of beer: it could be served as cold as lager, with the texture of a smooth stout, and the taste of an ale. Although it was launched with little advertising, it was priced at the top end of the market and made available in over 7,500 pubs. Sales of Caffrey's for the first year were higher than expected, at around 150,000 barrels.
In 2001, Coors Brewing Company acquired the US distribution rights to Caffrey's. However, sometime in 2002, Coors ceased the importation of Caffrey's into the United States market, as they felt it would interfere with the branding of Killian's as their premier Irish brew. Caffrey's is still available in the United Kingdom and Canada, although its popularity has declined since 2000.
Buying Beer on Christmas Day in New Mexico
You may want to see also
The unique brewing process of Caffrey's Irish Ale
Caffrey's Irish Ale, launched in 1994 by Bass Brewery, is currently owned by Molson Coors. The Caffrey brewing family first started brewing beer in Dublin in the late 18th century, and the beer was re-launched in 1994. It was marketed as a beer that combined the best features of lager, stout, and ale. It could be served as cold as lager, had a texture as smooth as stout, and its taste was that of an ale.
Caffrey's Irish Ale is based on an 1897 recipe and is designed to be served between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius. The beer was initially brewed to 5.2% ABV, but this was reduced to 4.2% in 2001 and then to 3.8% in 2010 to try and halt declining sales. The unique brewing process of Caffrey's Irish Ale involves the use of nitrogen, which is key to its characteristic smoothness and creaminess. Nitrogen is less soluble than carbon dioxide, allowing the beer to be put under high pressure without making it fizzy. This high pressure is necessary to create the very small bubbles that give the beer its distinctive surge and smooth texture.
The use of nitrogen in the brewing process also means that the beer can be put under high pressure, creating a surge when the can or bottle is opened. This gives Caffrey's Irish Ale a draught-like characteristic. The nitrogen pocket in the cans agitates the beer, creating a fresh, frothy head and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. The combination of nitrogen and the dispensing method results in a creamy head and a smooth, full-bodied ale.
Buying Beer on Christmas Day in West Virginia
You may want to see also
Where to buy Caffrey's Irish Ale in the USA
Caffrey's Irish Ale is currently owned by Molson Coors and is available in the United Kingdom and Canada. It was launched in 1994 by Bass Brewery and was available in the United States until 2002 when Coors Brewing Company decided to cease its importation into the United States market. This decision was made to prevent Caffrey's from interfering with the branding of Killian's as Coors's premier Irish brew.
As a result, you may still find Caffrey's paraphernalia in many Irish bars across the United States, but the beer itself is no longer sold. However, some individuals in the United States may still have access to Caffrey's Irish Ale through personal imports or other means, as evidenced by ratings and reviews on websites like BeerAdvocate.com.
If you are specifically looking to purchase Caffrey's Irish Ale in the United States, it appears that it is no longer available through traditional retail channels. Your best bet may be to contact Molson Coors directly or try online beer retailers that specialize in international or hard-to-find beverages. It's worth noting that the availability of alcoholic beverages can vary by state and local regulations, so your ability to purchase and import Caffrey's may depend on your location within the United States.
Please note that I cannot guarantee the availability of Caffrey's Irish Ale in the United States, and the information provided is based on the sources available. Regulations and product availability may have changed since the publication of these sources. Always drink responsibly and ensure that you are of legal drinking age.
Lone Star Beer: Louisiana's Favorite Brew?
You may want to see also
The history of Argus Brewery
Argus Brewery was a brewing company located on the south side of Chicago, at the edge of the Roseland community and the historic Pullman District. The brewery operated out of a building constructed in 1906 or 1907 by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. The building was originally a stable for Schlitz horses and wagons, used to transport beer barrels across Chicago. The area, known as "Schlitz Row", was a vice district with drinking, gambling, and other unsavoury transactions, right next to the dry community of Pullman.
Argus Brewery was founded in 2009 by the father-son duo of Bob and Patrick Jensen, who brought over 100 years of Jensen family experience as food technologists and chemical engineers to the business. The brewery produced beer for multiple Chicago restaurants and its own self-named brand. In 2016, Ted Furman became the brewmaster and reproduced recipes from his defunct brand Golden Prairie. Argus Lager won a bronze award at the World Beer Cup that year, and in 2018, the Golden Prairie Doppel Alt was awarded a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival.
Argus Brewery also created beers honouring notable Chicagoans, such as the Jarrett Payton All-American Wheat Ale, named after the son of the late NFL Hall of Famer Walter Payton; the Paschke Pilsner, honouring local artist Ed Paschke; and the Tuskegee Airmen Pursuit, a homage to Jack Lyle, one of the Tuskegee Airmen. The brewery also briefly contract-brewed for Baderbrau, one of Chicago's oldest craft brewing companies.
Argus produced around 4,000 barrels of beer per year, shipping as far as Europe. The brewery offered tours that included the history of the brewery and the surrounding neighbourhood, along with samples of their latest brews. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois led to the closure of bars and restaurants, and Argus Brewery stopped brewing on March 28, 2020, unable to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Indiana's Easter Beer Buying: What's Allowed on Sunday?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot buy McCaffrey's Irish Beer in the USA. It was sold in the US until 2002 when Coors Brewing Company decided to cease its importation.
McCaffrey's Irish Beer was previously sold in over 7500 pubs across the UK, Canada, and the USA.
The beer was launched in 1994 by Bass Brewery and is currently owned by Molson Coors.