Mcsorley's Beer: Where To Buy The Famous Brew

McSorley's Old Ale House, New York City's oldest Irish saloon, has been serving its signature ale since 1854. The ale is currently produced by the Pabst Brewing Company, which brews two beers: a light and a dark. The ale is available in both kegs and bottles throughout the East and, of course, at McSorley's Old Ale House. The bar has a rich history, having served as a gathering place for everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon and inspiring artwork and literature. Its unique atmosphere, with sawdust-strewn floors and history-patched walls, makes it a popular destination for those seeking a trip back in time.

McSorley's Ale House: Manhattan, East Village

McSorley's Old Ale House in Manhattan's East Village is one of New York City's oldest continuously operated saloons, having opened in 1854. It is located at 15 East 7th Street and is known for its rich history and unique atmosphere.

The ale house has a long and interesting history, including being one of the last "Men Only" pubs, only admitting women in 1970 after a discrimination case was brought against the bar. The interior has remained largely unchanged for decades, with aged artwork, newspaper articles, and memorabilia covering the walls, and sawdust strewn across the floors. One of its most famous features is the collection of wishbones hanging above the bar, said to have been left by boys going off to World War I, with those that remain belonging to those who never returned.

McSorley's has been frequented by many notable figures over the years, including Abraham Lincoln, John Lennon, Woody Guthrie, and Hunter S. Thompson. It has also appeared in several films and television shows, including *The Hard Way*, *Rounders*, and *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*.

The ale house serves a house ale, which is its signature beverage, and a porter. The ale is described as faintly cool with a thick head and a delicate maltiness, while the porter has notes of dark chocolate. The beers are served in small, sturdy glass mugs, with two mugs being the standard serving size.

McSorley's is also known for its affordable prices, with two beers costing $7, and a variety of food options, including liverwurst sandwiches and raw onions with crackers. It is a cash-only establishment and does not take reservations, operating on a first-come, first-served basis.

McSorley's Ale: Pabst Brewing Company

McSorley's Old Ale House, the oldest Irish saloon in New York City, has been serving ale since it opened in 1854. The ale, described as "a rich, wax-colour" by author Joseph Mitchell, was originally brewed by Fidelio Brewery. However, the brewing operations were moved to the basement of McSorley's during Prohibition, where it continued to serve its signature ale. Over the years, the brewing rights changed hands several times, eventually landing with the Pabst Brewing Company.

The Pabst Brewing Company, based in Texas, currently holds the rights to brew McSorley's Ale. Pabst, a well-known beer-maker, has helped to preserve the legacy of McSorley's Ale and ensure its continued availability. While the ale is primarily served at McSorley's Old Ale House, it is also available to consumers in both kegs and bottles throughout the East.

McSorley's Old Ale House itself is a piece of history, with its sawdust-strewn floors, aged artwork, and newspaper articles covering the walls. The bar has been frequented by notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln, John Lennon, and Woody Guthrie. It was also the subject of a Supreme Court case in 1970, which resulted in women being allowed into the previously "Men Only" pub.

The ale served at McSorley's is unique, with a faint chill and a thick head. It offers a delicate maltiness in the light variety and notes of dark chocolate in the dark version. The beers are served in 8.5-ounce mugs, with two beers costing $7. The tradition of serving two beers at a time adds to the lively atmosphere of the saloon.

The Pabst Brewing Company's acquisition of the brewing rights to McSorley's Ale has helped to preserve a piece of New York City history and ensure that this unique ale remains accessible to beer enthusiasts, both at the iconic McSorley's Old Ale House and beyond.

McSorley's Old Ale House: New York's oldest continuously operated saloon

McSorley's Old Ale House, established in 1854, is New York City's oldest continuously operated saloon. Located at 15 East 7th Street in the East Village neighbourhood of Manhattan, it has a long and colourful history.

The saloon was originally called "The Old House at Home" and was one of the last "Men Only" pubs, only admitting women in 1970 after a discrimination lawsuit forced them to do so. The interior of the bar has changed very little over the years, with aged artwork, newspaper articles, and sawdust-covered floors contributing to its old-world atmosphere.

McSorley's is known for serving just one beverage in its 170-year history: ale. The beer was originally brewed by the Fidelio Brewery on First Avenue, but the brewery was forced to close during Prohibition. During this time, brewing operations moved to the basement of McSorley's, where they continued to serve beer illegally. After Prohibition ended, Fidelio Brewery resumed brewing the ale, but the brand changed hands several times over the years and is now owned by the Pabst Brewing Company.

McSorley's has been frequented by many notable figures over the years, including Abraham Lincoln, John Lennon, Woody Guthrie, and Hunter S. Thompson. The bar has also appeared in several films and television shows, including "The Hard Way" (1991), "Rounders" (1998), and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel".

Today, McSorley's remains one of the most affordable bars in NYC, with two ales costing $7 and a variety of inexpensive dishes available. It continues to be a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike, offering a unique glimpse into the past.

McSorley's Ale House: history and famous patrons

McSorley's Ale House, the oldest bar in New York, was established in 1854 and has been a gathering place for a diverse range of patrons over its long history. From its beginnings as an Irish working man's saloon, it has served just one beverage – ale – throughout its 170-year history.

The bar was founded by John McSorley, an Irish immigrant, who opened "The Old House at Home" at 15 East 7th Street in the East Village neighbourhood of Manhattan. John McSorley passed daily management to his son, William, around 1890, and the bar remained in the McSorley family until 1936 when William sold it to Daniel O'Connell, a retired policeman and regular customer. The bar has changed hands several times since, with Matthew "Matty" Maher, who purchased the bar in 1977, being its most recent proprietor until his death in 2020.

McSorley's has been frequented by a range of notable patrons, including presidents, authors, artists, and musicians. Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, John Lennon, and Woody Guthrie are just a few of the famous names who have passed through its swinging doors. The bar has also been the subject of art and literature, including poems by E. E. Cummings, who described McSorley's as "the ale which never lets you grow old", and several paintings by Ashcan school painters John Sloan, George Luks, and Stuart Davis.

The bar was the subject of a supreme court controversy when civil rights attorneys Faith Seidenberg and Karen DeCrow took their case to the Supreme Court to gain access for women, who were not allowed in until 1970.

McSorley's Ale House: affordability and pricing

McSorley's Old Ale House, the oldest Irish saloon in New York City, is known for its rich history and tradition, serving only ale since its opening in 1854. Despite its longevity, the establishment has managed to keep its prices relatively affordable, making it a popular destination for those seeking a taste of "Olde New York".

The saloon's affordability is attributed to its simple offering of just two choices of alcoholic beverages: a house ale and a porter. As of 2022, a single beer costs $4, but it is customary to order two beers for $7, served in the signature tiny mugs that hold about six ounces each. This pricing is a slight increase from a few years ago, when two beers cost $6, and before that, $4.50.

The owner, Teresa Maher, is committed to keeping prices reasonable, understanding that affordability is part of the saloon's appeal. She wants patrons to feel that they can walk in with just $20 and leave satisfied. This strategy seems to be working, as McSorley's remains a popular spot, attracting a diverse crowd and maintaining its status as one of the most affordable bars in the city.

In addition to its famous ale, McSorley's also offers a unique experience with its sawdust-strewn floors, aged artwork, and historical memorabilia adorning the walls. The saloon has a rich history, having been frequented by notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln and John Lennon, and played a role in the women's rights movement when it was forced to admit women in 1970.

Today, McSorley's continues to be a popular destination for those seeking a taste of history, camaraderie, and affordable beer in the heart of New York City. Its longevity, tradition, and reasonable prices make it a beloved institution in the ever-changing city.

Frequently asked questions