Devil by Beara Irish Brewing Co.

The leaves are popping from buds, May flies abound and the warmth of summer is right around the corner. But as of this writing, cool breezes still whip through the yard and one could only hope that they put off the mosquito season a bit longer. This is also a great opportunity to go back and try some fuller tasting beer before the lawn mower starts up again. So, digging into the fridge, we find today’s lucky catch, Beara Irish’s Devil (American Black Ale).
Beara Irish Brewing Company is located on Lafayette Road in Portsmouth, NH. It was first opened in 2013 as a brew-on-premises taproom. Soon they starting selling 22 oz bottles and growlers and now are now widely distributed. Their barley grains are imported directly from Ireland to preserve the rich brewing traditions of the Emerald Isle. An important fact to know about Beara Irish is that they support local farms and suppliers. So when they use honey, it is from a bee keeper close by. They even advertise these providers on their website, www.bearairishbrew.com, and encourage their customers to shop at these suppliers. You can also find current events at www.facebook.com/BearaIrishBrewingCo.
Devil, as the name implies, is deceptive and cunning. It beguile you and talks you into something you might not picture yourself doing… loving this beer for its simple purity. With its almost opaque blackish-brown hue, Devil has a momentary creamy head, but then settles in for a discussion on history. Dry and not overly pronounced aroma in the glass, your nose may pick up earthy, moss-like notes, burnt malts and possible some tartness. It is not far from a dry traditional Irish stout, porter or deep nut brown ale. A medium mouthfeel comes in on your first encounter. More malt than hop character here and no signs of chocolate or coffee which is what make the distinction from a stout as well. The dry finish on your pallet lets you know this is a history lesson on brewing perfection.
A few on BeerAdvocate.com have rated this beer in the high 3’s to low 4’s out of a score of 5. Worth a visit to their tap room, Beara Irish brews will be among New Hampshire’s most sought-after commodities. They have 6 taps with rotating varieties and one-offs. You can get flights, pints and growler fills there. Obtain your own bit of Ireland at Case-n-Keg and other fine retailers. Catch up with Devil and the other offerings from Beara Irish!

Jim MacMillan is the owner of WonByOne Design of Meredith, NH, and is an avid imbiber of craft brews and a home brewer as well. Send him your recommendations and brew news to  wickedbrews@weirs.com