Created by the brewery’s founder, Quilter’s Irish Death is what we call a dark, smooth, ale. Any attempt at classifying it just ends up sending beer geeks into a style guidelines diatribe. So forget style guidelines. Is your pursuit of micro beer about tasting copies of a style that fit guidelines anyways? (Neither is ours) We lovingly refer to it as beer candy. While tempting to session this beer, the name is a necessary reminder that despite the surprising approachability, this beer weighs in at a hefty 7.8% ABV.
I love this brew! I am not a dark beer fan so I didn’t think I would like it, but oh man, it’s soo good!!!
My landlady wants to know why Irish Death is called “quilter’s” Irish Death.
The beer was originally developed by Jim Quilter then assistant brewmaster at Sierra Nevada as a 13.5% barleywine. Jim later moved on to Butte Creek, Mad River and Winthrop Brewery (now Old Schoolhouse) before opening Iron Horse Brewery in Ellensburg. Jim later sold Iron Horse and was working for the Bighorn Brewing (Ram) chain in Seattle when he passed away in 2009. Kudos to the present Iron Horse owners to give much deserved credit to Jim Quilter to this present fine beer. Raise a glass of this fine brew to Jim Quilter.
This is an AMAZING beer. Deep, complex, and with a fantastic finish! Smooth and very well balanced, Irish Death is one of my favorites. Thanks Iron Horse for making something so GOOD!
Congratulations Gentlemen/Ladies
You have managed to brew the finest
beer I ever quaffed. I found it in
Cheylan and was immediately taken by it. I live in Issaquah and have looked for it but nobody has
it. Where is the closest place I
can find it (I want several cases.
If you are ever in Tacoma, I have Irish death on tap and in 22oz. bottles, or you can prchase a 64oz growler and take it home with you to enjoy.Or if you prefer, we can order a couple cases for you. Fosters Tavern 6316 Mckinley Ave.
Anyone who’s looking for the “Irish Death” can find it at “The Yuppie Tavern/ Pawnshop” in the Kirkland area at Totem Lake. It is, truly, some fine brew!
I have to say from a true irishman, it is a pleasure to have our Irish “name” on this brew. One of the finest brews this side of Dublin. Rich, complex, a beautiful thing. Like i have always said, “Don’t be afraid of the dark” Dark beers arent always the “soup” people think they are. Try it, you may just like it.
Quilter’s Irish Death on tap is available at Curly’s II in Kittitas. Curly’s is a fun place to gather, free pool, & friendly folks exploring all the big issues of the day (rain, wind, sunshine, happy stuff).
OK, here’s the deal! I just sent an eMail to my “old” college buddy (we were at Central about 50 years ago) with a link to the brewery and to Irish Death. My “old buddy” lives in Oregon & he needs to understand we have the brew up here.
Good products are appreciated.
I tried this at a local bottle shop and it instantly became my favorite beer. The problem is they only had a case of it which was gone in a couple days. For goodness sake please start distributing to the Portland area!
Hey guys the only thing my son asked for today on his 24th Birthday was that I get him some “Irish Death” Microbrew and have it sent to him in Fort Meyers, FLA…. How could I make work for him??? Thanks, K~
OMG !! Irish Death…….
Best OMG !!!!!! Irish Death ……from Iron Horse Brewery in Ellensberg, WA …… BEST DAMN DARK BEER EVER!! Baptized in it and now I have seen the Dark, at TOMMY C’s in Port Orchard, WA, go there and be Baptized in the DARK ‘CANDY’ ALE!!
Doyle “MaddDawg” Hughes
PS – Hey, where’s the bottles ????? `;o#}<=<
I discovered this beer in Chelan. Unfortunately I am back in Phoenix. This beer is not even distributed outside of Washington. Wassup with that!! I’m looking for a second career – how about local sales rep for the Phoenix area? A lot of WA folks show up here for vacation, spring training, golf. And they won’t be able to find your great dark beer.
I have only been introduced to this delicious and fine ale… Kudos to Iron Horse. I have trouble naming a Number 1 favorite beer between the Irish Death and Silver City Ridgetop Red… though both are different they are both very much the best beers ever!!!
I’ve had the good fortune to have sampled more British brews than I could count. The best of the best is right here at home. From my first sip of this magical complex brew, I knew I had found The One True Brew!!! Thank You Jim! And Thank You Iron Horse! And Thank You Fred Meyer in Olympia for selling it! Ahhhh yum!
Where can I get a Growler in Oly? I have a friend in Oregon who loves it too.
Just had this the other night in Tri-Cities. Holy Friggin’ Crap! What a great beer!!! You guys just got yourselves a HUGE fan! I’ve been spreading the good word to all my friends…and already have several requests for it from my friends back in Jersey. Truly excellent brew, guys. Keep up the great work.
We need The Irish Death in Astoria Oregon!!!
ever since I left Spokane,WA I can not find Irish Death and it makes me very sad!!!
There is nothing for it, I am permanently spoiled. I used to be a Guinness fan, I used to get a black-n-tan, but if I have Irish Death available I will take it before any contenders. Anywhere in the world. You can’t quantify it or qualify it … it’s not a stout, it’s not an ale, it’s beer-candy. People who don’t like dark beer love the stuff, people who did like dark beer get like me … spoiled. Nothing else will do. Greg and Natalia, you have created a monster … I will wear a rubber suit and smash cardboard buildings and trample toy tanks to have my Irish Death! (And before you or one of your wonderful staff spouts “You’re Welcome!”, let me at least say “Thank You!”) Awesome beer, whatever you call it. “Death To Us All!” (an apropos toast!)
I wish there was a way to get this out to Colorado. It’s the best beer I’ve ever had, and I need to come up with a reason to go to Washington and get a few cases to bring out here.
I’d claim that I’m really at a loss to explain how good Irish Death is, but the facts disprove this notion. I have single-handedly converted about 6 people to Irish Death. I convinced my wife to try it, and she has since converted many of her friends. (Come to think of it, maybe my wife deserves most of the credit…) Many of these new converts were the kind of people who tended to drink truly terrible beers (think mass-produced lite American beers from the heartland). I can heap no higher praise upon Irish Death.
My question is: Have I earned some free swag with all of my evangelism? Regardless of the answer, I don’t intend to stop spreading my love of (Irish) Death.
Damn, this is a fine beer. Drinking it right now in Winnipeg at Phil’s house! We’ll call it smoot (smooth for you laymen out there) and leave it at that.
Damn, this is a fine beer. Drinking it right now in Winnipeg at Phil’s house! We’ll call it smoot (smooth for you laymen out there) and leave it at that.