We’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day the Alaska Way with Nitro McCarthy Stout, Alaska’s original nitro stout. What makes this brew so special?

Before he founded 49th State Brewing in 2010, David McCarthy was an avid homebrewer. He loved Guinness Draught, the nitrogenated version of the classic dry Irish stout only available in unique nitro cans and on nitro draft. David started developing his own dry Irish stout recipe with a similar drinkability but more robust flavors and aromas of chocolate, coffee, and dark roasted malts. After many batches to dial the recipe in, the original version of our Nitro McCarthy Stout was born.

When 49th State Brewing opened in the summer of 2010, this was the first beer we ever produced. Early batches weren’t nitrogenated, but soon it was only available on nitro draft. In 2021, we launched cans of Nitro McCarthy Stout, becoming the only brewery in Alaska producing a beer in a nitro widget can for the perfect pub pour of Nitro McCarthy Stout wherever your adventure may take you. Widgets are capsules inside the cans that hold nitrogen until the can is cracked. Then, the nitrogen surges out into the beer as its poured into a glass, creating the gorgeous nitro cascade we love, which means a supremely smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Each can of Nitro McCarthy Stout features instructions detailing how to achieve this perfect pour.

The art on the can depicts the Kennicott Mine outside McCarthy, Alaska. Named for a creek where an Irish miner drowned, McCarthy, Alaska was the closest railroad connection to the mine. Since the mine’s company town was dry, the miners had to travel to McCarthy to drink alcohol, gamble and visit houses of ill repute. It quickly became one of Alaska’s original party towns. In that spirit, we named this beer Nitro McCarthy Stout and showcased imagery of the Kennicott Mine on the packaging.

We are committed to the quality of our beers, and Nitro McCarthy Stout is no exception. We have won numerous awards for the quality of Nitro McCarthy Stout globally. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Silver Medal – Dry Stout, North American Brewers Association Awards 2021
• Bronze Medal – Irish Stout, International Beer Cup Japan 2021
• Bronze Medal – Classic Dry Stout, International Beer Cup Japan 2023
• Bronze Medal – Irish Stout, Australian International Beer Awards 2023
• 3rd Place – Dark Beer, Alaska Craft Beer Awards 2023
• 2nd Place – Dark Ale, Alaska State Fair Craft Beverage Awards 2023

Join us in Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day the Alaska Way with Nitro McCarthy Stout. Look for Nitro McCarthy Stout on draft at our Downtown Anchorage and Ted Stevens Airport Brewpubs, or a watering hole near you. You can find cans at our Downtown Anchorage Brewpub or fine retailers across Alaska.

We’re doing St. Patrick’s Day big this year at our Downtown Anchorage Brewpub. You’re invited to join us for Alaska’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring Irish food specials all week, giveaways, special beer releases, and more. Festivities culminate in a weekend of live music, Irish dancing, and more, including our free to attend Nitro McCarthy Stout Concert on Saturday 3/16.

Check out our Nitro McCarthy Stout recipes:
Nitro McCarthy Stout Jello Shots
Nitro McCarthy Stout Irish Beef Stew

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