I picked up a six-pack of this “Irish Pale Ale” at a Harris Teeter store. That was a mistake.
I think when I saw the word “Irish” I was thinking an Amber or a Red Ale (something similar to the very nice Sam Adam’s Irish Red). However, when I poured it, I was disappointed. Let me first say that this beer is drinkable. It could definitely qualify as a session beer if all you wanted was something to drink while doing something else. However, if you want to savor this beer, you will be disappointed. When you look at the reviews and then taste it, you will see what I mean. It is bland. It doesn’t seem to fit any style and it just sits there in the bottle and then in the mouth. You will think later, yes I drank a beer … but it wasn’t what I expected. Hopefully the brewery can tweak this one and bring out some characteristic to make it good.
Oh, and for my subject, the Pub (McSorley’s Ale House) is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) Ale House in New York City. The bottle has a good presentation on this pub. I would love to visit this pub just for the history. I have it down on my list of places to visit. Hopefully you see it on this blog in the near future.
Beer Mentor
Beer Mentor 
Drinking it out of the bottle might explain your problem.
The bottle is a container to transport the beer. Not a drinking vessel
Yes, you are correct and that is not my normal “drinking vessel.” I’ve had 3 of my six-pack poured into a glass, though, and I still find it to be the case … somewhat bland. However, that usually causes me to wait a couple of months and give that beer another shot! LOL! Thanks for the comment.
Yeah, the McSorley’s beer is not generally meant to be savored — although I realize they are bottling and selling it. The idea is to go to the bar, as I did Sunday and many times before, and spend an afternoon ordering them two at a time and trusting them not to sneak up on you. I happen to much prefer the dark, by the way, but it’s much better there. Not the kind of stuff you can bottle.
As e.e. cummings said, it’s “the ale that never lets you grow old,” and once you drink it in the actual spot, I hope you understand why it makes you feel that way. No, it’s not all about the taste. Not at all. Honestly don’t know why they try to sell it. I noticed this recent trip that they offered it by the bottle, which was SHOCKING to us long-timers. Change usually comes very, very slow.
By the way, the bottle image. That’s the founder, John McSorley’s head on his son Bill’s body. Here’s a small version of the photograph (1903) it’s a composite of.
Since it is on the all about beer 125 places to drink beer list (http://allaboutbeer.com/live-beer/culture/2008/05/the-growler-list-125-places-to-have-a-beer-before-you-die/6/), #102 — I plan on making it there and following your lead!