McSorley's beer is available at McSorley's Old Ale House, a 200-year-old pub in New York City. The pub, which was established in 1854, has served only one beverage in its 170-year history: Ale. The beer is described as faintly cool with a thick head and a delicate maltiness. It is available in both kegs and bottles throughout the East.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Brewery | Fidelio Brewery, The Greater New York Brewery, Rheingold Brewery, Schmidt's Brewers of Philadelphia, Stroh Brewery, Pabst Brewing Company |
Location | First Avenue, New York City, Manhattan, East Village, 15 East 7th Street |
Availability | Kegs, bottles, McSorley's Old Ale House |
ABV | 5.5% |
Calories | 150 |
What You'll Learn
McSorley's Ale House in NYC
The bar was originally opened by Irish immigrant John McSorley, who named it "The Old House at Home". It was later sold to a patron and policeman, Daniel O'Connell, who became the first non-McSorley to own the place. It was then passed on to Dorothy O'Connell Kirwan, who left the bar unchanged and managed by her husband, Harry Kirwan. The bar was then bought by Matthew Maher, who helped the establishment survive by allowing women inside for the first time in the 1970s. It is now owned by Teresa Maher de la Haba, the first woman to work behind the bar and Matthew's daughter.
McSorley's is famous for serving just one beverage in its 170-year history: ale. The ale was originally brewed by Fidelio Brewery, which was forced to shut down during Prohibition. During this time, brewing operations moved to the basement of the bar, where business continued as usual. After Prohibition, Fidelio Brewery returned as the official brewer of McSorley's Cream Stock Ale. The ale is now owned by Pabst Brewing Company, which produces two types: a light and a dark.
The bar has a unique atmosphere, with sawdust-covered floors, tiny mugs, and a no-frills, old-timey aesthetic. It is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, with crowds edging back towards pre-pandemic levels.
Gainesville's Beer Buying Hours: When Can You Buy?
You may want to see also
McSorley's Irish Pale Ale
The bar was first opened by John McSorley, an Irish immigrant, in 1854. It was originally called "The Old House at Home" and was an Irish working man's saloon, serving beer for pennies and offering cheese and crackers on the house. The bar has changed locations and ownership several times over the years, but it has always been a popular spot for New Yorkers and tourists alike.
The bar has a rich history and has been featured in various publications, including a 1940s article in The New Yorker, which brought it into the mainstream. It has also been the subject of a book, "McSorley's Wonderful Saloon," by Joseph Mitchell, who described the bar's brew as "a rich, wax-color." The bar has a long tradition of serving only ale, and it was not until recently that they started serving a porter as well. The bar is also known for its unique atmosphere, including sawdust-covered floors, tiny mugs, and a no-jukebox or television policy, creating a space filled with the music of clanking mugs and lively conversation.
The McSorley's Irish Pale Ale can be purchased at the McSorley's Old Ale House in New York City, and it is also available in kegs and bottles throughout the East Coast.
Beer Buying in Vermont: Early Access Explained
You may want to see also
McSorley's Cream Stock Ale
In the 1940s, Fidelio expanded and changed its name to The Greater New York Brewery. However, this brewery soon went into receivership, and the McSorley's account was taken over by Rheingold Brewery in Brooklyn. Rheingold brewed McSorley's Ale for more than thirty years before passing the brand to Schmidt's Brewers of Philadelphia. This marked the first time the ale was made without New York's water.
In the early 1990s, Stroh Brewery purchased the McSorley's brand and brewed it until it was bought by Pabst Brewing Company. Today, McSorley's Ale is available to consumers in both kegs and bottles throughout the East, and of course, at McSorley's Old Ale House in New York City. The ale is described as having a clear copper colour with a thick, frothy beige head. It has a lightly malty aroma with hints of caramel and hops. The taste is described as toasty upfront, moving to a light sweetness with a crisp bitterness in the finish.
Buying Beer Late in Ohio: What's the Legal Limit?
You may want to see also
McSorley's Famous Lager
The beer has changed hands several times over the years. After Prohibition, Fidelio Brewery returned as the official brewer of McSorley's Cream Stock Ale. However, in the 1940s, Fidelio expanded and changed its name to The Greater New York Brewery, which soon went into receivership. The McSorley's account was then taken over by the Rheingold Brewery in Brooklyn, marking the first time the ale was brewed outside of Manhattan.
After more than thirty years, Rheingold closed operations, and the brand was passed to Schmidt's Brewers of Philadelphia, the first time the ale was brewed without New York's legendary water. In the early 1990s, the Stroh Brewery purchased the McSorley's brand, and it was later bought by the Pabst Brewing Company, which currently owns the rights to brew McSorley's beers.
Today, McSorley's Ale is available to consumers in both kegs and bottles throughout the East, and of course, at the famous McSorley's Old Ale House in the East Village, New York City. The bar has maintained its old-world charm, with patrons enjoying the camaraderie and the unique drinking experience it offers.
Narragansett Beer: Where to Buy and Enjoy It
You may want to see also
McSorley's Old Ale House history
McSorley's Old Ale House, established in 1854, is New York City's oldest continuously operated saloon. It was opened in the mid-19th century at 15 East 7th Street in what is now the East Village neighbourhood of Manhattan. It was originally called "The Old House at Home".
The pub has a rich history and has been a gathering place for many notable figures, including presidents, artists, writers, and musicians. The saloon was the subject of a supreme court controversy when two National Organization for Women attorneys, Faith Seidenberg and Karen DeCrow, sued the bar for discrimination after being refused service in 1969. The pair won the case, and the ruling forced the bar to admit women for the first time in 1970, ending its long run as one of the last "Men Only" pubs.
The interior of McSorley's has changed little over the years, with no piece of memorabilia removed from the walls since 1910. The pub is known for its sawdust-covered floors, aged artwork, newspaper articles, and historical paraphernalia adorning the walls, including a pair of Houdini's handcuffs. The atmosphere is reminiscent of "Olde New York", and the bar has been featured in several films and television series, including *The Hard Way*, *Rounders*, and *Dash & Lily*.
McSorley's has served only one beverage throughout its 170-year history: ale. The beer was originally brewed by Fidelio Brewery and was described as "a rich, wax-color" in Joseph Mitchell's 1943 book, *"McSorley's Wonderful Saloon"*. During Prohibition, brewing operations were moved to the basement of the pub, and a "near beer" with a low alcohol content was served to avoid legal issues. After Prohibition, Fidelio Brewery resumed brewing the ale, but the brand changed hands several times over the years, eventually being purchased by the Pabst Brewing Company.
Utah's Full-Strength Beer Laws: Where to Buy?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
McSorley's beer is available to consumers in both kegs and bottles throughout the East and at McSorley's Old Ale House in New York City.
McSorley's serves a house ale and a porter. The ale is faintly cool with a thick head and a delicate maltiness, while the porter flaunts notes of dark chocolate.
When you order one beer at McSorley's, you get two small mugs at a minimum. Each mug holds roughly six ounces of beer, with enough room for a few inches of fresh head on top.
As of 2022, two beers cost $7, or $4 for a single (although no one orders a single).
McSorley's beer was originally brewed by the Fidelio Brewery on First Avenue. However, with the enactment of Prohibition, brewing operations moved to the basement of McSorley's Old Ale House. After Prohibition ended, the Fidelio Brewery returned as the official brewer of McSorley's Cream Stock Ale. The brand has since changed hands several times and is now owned by the Pabst Brewing Company.