Red Tide: The Perfect Irish Red Ale for Every Brewer
If you’re searching for a smooth, balanced, and beautifully red-hued ale to brew at home, look no further than Red Tide. This classic Irish Red Ale brings the best of malt sweetness, subtle roasted notes, and traditional hops, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite that’s easy to love. BJCP Style 15A.
Why Brew Red Tide?
Some beers stand out because they push boundaries. Others, like Red Tide, stand out because they perfect a timeless style—a beer that’s approachable yet full of character, easy-drinking yet flavorful.
✔ Beautiful Deep Red Color – A touch of roasted malt gives this ale its signature ruby hue, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
✔ Perfectly Balanced Flavor – This beer delivers a smooth malt backbone with light caramel sweetness, complemented by a hint of roasted grain for depth. The 21 IBUs keep the bitterness low, making for an incredibly drinkable beer.
✔ A Beer for Everyone – Whether you’re a fan of stouts, pale ales, or anything in between, this Irish Red is approachable enough for casual drinkers and nuanced enough for craft beer lovers.
✔ Great for Any Occasion – Red Tide is the ultimate “all-season” beer—refreshing in summer, warming in winter, and the perfect choice for St. Patrick’s Day or a laid-back evening with friends.
What’s in the Kit?
For just $30.99 for all-grain or $39.99 for extract, the Red Tide All-Grain Kit provides all the ingredients to craft a smooth, easy-drinking Irish Red Ale with the perfect balance of malty sweetness and subtle hops.
Beginner brewers who want a reliable, classic beer that turns out great every time.
Experienced brewers looking for a balanced ale that allows subtle tweaks like oak aging or dry-hopping.
Social brewers who love to share their homebrew—because this is a beer everyone will enjoy.
Brew a Timeless Classic – Order Your Kit Today!
Some beers are good, but Red Tide is a beer you’ll keep coming back to. It’s smooth, malty, slightly toasty, and just the right amount of crisp. The kind of beer that feels at home in any glass, at any gathering, at any time of year.
For just $30.99, you can brew your own batch of this perfectly balanced Irish Red Ale.
Skagit Stout: The Perfect Dry Irish Stout for Homebrewers
If you’re looking for a rich, smooth, and classic Dry Irish Stout to brew at home, look no further than Skagit Stout. This all-grain kit brings the timeless flavors of Ireland straight to your glass, offering a perfectly balanced, easy-drinking stout that’s both rewarding to brew and satisfying to sip. BJCP style 13a.
Why Brew Skagit Stout?
Some beers are good. Some beers are great. And then there are beers like Skagit Stout, which transport you straight to a cozy pub with every sip.
✔ Authentic Dry Irish Stout Flavor – Deep roasty malt character, hints of coffee and dark chocolate, and a signature dry finish make this a true-to-style stout that rivals any you’d find in Dublin.
✔ Smooth & Creamy Texture – Thanks to its rich malt bill and nitrogen-friendly body, this stout pours with a luxurious, long-lasting head, making every pint feel like a premium experience.
✔ Perfect for Any Occasion – Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day, a cold winter night, or just a craving for something dark and roasty, Skagit Stout is the go-to beer for stout lovers.
✔ Approachable & Sessionable – With a 5.1% ABV, this stout is flavorful without being too heavy, making it easy to enjoy more than one pint in a sitting.
What to expect?
For just $30.99, the Skagit Stout All-Grain Kit provides all the ingredients you need to craft a jet-black stout with a complex malt backbone and smooth bitterness.
OG: 1.053 | FG: 1.014
ABV: 5.1%
IBU: 32 (just enough bitterness to balance the roasted malt flavors)
This kit is perfect for homebrewers of all skill levels who appreciate full-bodied yet drinkable stouts.
New brewers will love the simplicity and reliability of this recipe.
Experienced brewers can experiment by adding coffee, cocoa nibs, or even aging it on oak for a unique twist.
Nitro lovers can push this beer through a nitrogen tap for a silky, cascading pour that rivals the best pub stouts.
Bring the Pub Home – Order Your Kit Today!
There’s something magical about a well-crafted stout—the way it pours thick and dark, the creamy foam, the warming roasted malt aroma. Skagit Stout captures all that and more, allowing you to brew a timeless classic right at home.
For just $30.99, you can brew your own batch of pub-worthy stout that will have you coming back for more.
Irish Beer Kit Sale
March 17th is just around the corner. It’s not too late to brew your Irish Tradition with your own homebrewed beer. The Skagit Stout and Red Tide Irish Red kits are on sale this month. Take 25% off extract and all-grain kits for February.
“Want a beer ready for St. Patrick’s Day? Start brewing now. Both styles are quick, forgiving, and rewarding to make at home.”
St. Patrick’s Day Beer: Brew Your Own Irish Tradition
St. Patrick’s Day and beer go hand in hand. While most people are reaching for a pint of Guinness or whatever green-dyed lager is being poured at the local bar, homebrewers have a unique opportunity—to craft their own perfect St. Paddy’s pint. Whether it’s a smooth, roasty stout or a crisp, malt-forward Irish Red, brewing your own beer for the holiday just makes the celebration better.
At Northwest Brewers Supply, we believe beer is best when it’s fresh, well-made, and shared with good company. That’s why we’re featuring two of our favorite homebrew kits for St. Patrick’s Day: Skagit Stoutand Red Tide Irish Red. These are classic, time-tested styles that have defined Irish beer for centuries. The stout is rich, dark, and dry, with a creamy head, while the red ale is smooth, easy-drinking, and a great way to introduce friends to flavorful beer without scaring them off with too much bitterness or heavy hops.
If you want your homebrew ready for March 17, now’s the time to start brewing. In this article, I’ll walk you through what makes these beers special, share some tips on getting them right, and even throw in a few tricks for enjoying St. Patrick’s Day beer the right way—including how to pour a proper Guinness. Whether you’re brewing at home or want to drink better beer this year, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started.
What Makes a Great St. Patrick’s Day Beer?
When people think about St. Patrick’s Day beer, two styles immediately come to mind—Irish Stout and Irish Red Ale. These beers aren’t just popular because they come from Ireland; they’ve stood the test of time because they’re well-balanced, easy-drinking, and full of character without being overwhelming.
Like Guinness or Murphy’s, a classic Irish Stout is dark, dry, and smooth with a creamy head. It has just enough roasted barley to give it that signature coffee-like bitterness, but it finishes crisp and light enough to have more than one. The big misconception about stout is that it’s “too heavy.” In reality, most Irish stouts are lower in alcohol than an IPA and don’t sit nearly as heavy as a thick pastry stout. It’s a perfect session beer—something you can drink all night without it knocking you over.
Irish Red Ale is a different animal but just as essential to the St. Patrick’s Day lineup. It’s malty, slightly sweet, and smooth, with a beautiful deep red color. If your friends usually stick to lighter beers, an Irish Red is a great way to introduce them to a little more flavor without scaring them off with bitterness or hop intensity.
Both of these beers are simple to brew at home, and if you start now, they’ll be in prime condition for St. Paddy’s Day. Whether you’re going for dark and roasty or smooth and malty, you can’t go wrong with either choice.
Brewing the Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Beer at Home
If you want your St. Patrick’s Day beer ready to pour on March 17, now’s the time to brew. Irish Stouts and Red Ales are some of the most straightforward, rewarding beers to make at home. They don’t require complex ingredients, fancy techniques, or months of aging—just good brewing habits and a little patience.
The Skagit Stout Kitmakes brewing a classic dry Irish stout easy. The key to nailing this style is roasted barley—it gives the beer its deep color, signature dry finish, and just the right amount of coffee-like bitterness. Ferment it cool, around 65°F, to keep the flavors crisp and clean. Give it a couple of weeks in the bottle or keg, and you’ll have a smooth, creamy stout ready for St. Paddy’s Day.
For a maltier, more approachable option, our Red Tide Irish Red Kit delivers a beautifully balanced Irish Red Ale. This one is all about the malt—caramel and biscuit flavors with just a touch of roast for depth. Keep your fermentation temperature steady, and you’ll end up with a smooth, clean beer perfect for sharing.
Both styles are forgiving and beginner-friendly. If you’re new to brewing, they’re great beers. If you’re experienced, they’re fun to tweak and dial in. Either way, you’ll have a fresh, homemade beer for the holiday—nothing beats that.
Beyond Brewing: Enjoying Your St. Patrick’s Day Beer
Once your St. Patrick’s Day beer is ready, the next step is enjoying it the right way. Whether you brewed your own or picked up a classic Irish beer, a little know-how ensures you get the best possible pint.
Let’s start with properly pouring a Guinness (or any stout) from a can. Most people crack it open and dump it in a glass, but if you want that signature creamy head, there’s a right way to do it. First, use a clean, dry pint glass. Open the can and tip it into the pint glass. As the beer pours out, begin lifting the can, keeping it just below its surface. Once the can is empty, wait the requisite 119.5 seconds for the nitrogen to rise into the head. Enjoy the show while you wait. Now that you have been patient, you can savor your pint. Expect some nice lacing in the glass while you sip.
Back to homebrewing
Now, let’s talk about when to drink an Irish Stout. Most people associate dark beers with winter, but a properly brewed stout is a fantastic year-round beer. It’s lower in alcohol than most craft beers, lighter-bodied than people expect, and pairs well with everything from oysters to burgers. Don’t let the color fool you—it’s not a heavy, filling beer.
And if you’re introducing friends to craft beer, Irish Red Ale is a perfect gateway. It’s smooth, slightly sweet, and easy to drink without the bitterness of an IPA or the richness of a stout; an excellent option for anyone looking to expand their beer horizons this St. Patrick’s Day.
Celebrate Like a Brewer
Drinking St. Patrick’s Day beer is one thing—celebrating like a brewer takes it up a notch. Whether you brew your own or just appreciate a well-made pint, there are plenty of ways to improve your St. Paddy’s celebration.
First, let’s talk food pairings. Irish Stout and Irish Red Ale are both incredibly food-friendly. A dry stout like our Skagit Stout pairs beautifully with rich, hearty dishes like shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, or a classic Irish stew. The roastiness of the stout cuts through fatty, savory flavors, making each bite better than the last. On the other hand, Red Tide Irish Red is perfect with grilled meats, roasted chicken, or even fish and chips. The malt sweetness balances salty, crispy foods, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Want to make things even more fun? Host a St. Patrick’s Day beer tasting. If you brewed an Irish Stout and an Irish Red, line them up and compare flavors. Grab a few commercial examples of each style and see how yours stacks up. Add some Irish cheese and soda bread to the mix, and you’ve got a tasting party that’s way better than just drinking whatever green beer the bars are pouring!
The key to celebrating like a brewer? Start now. If you want your homebrew ready for St. Patrick’s Day, get brewing this week! There’s nothing better than raising a glass to your hard work on March 17.
Raise a Glass: Brew It Yourself and Make This St. Paddy’s the Best Yet!
St. Patrick’s Day is always better with great beer, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by raising a pint of something you brewed yourself. Whether it’s a classic dry stout or a smooth, malty Irish Red, having a homebrew ready to pour on March 17 adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the holiday.
If you haven’t brewed yet, now’s the time. Skagit Stout and Red Tide Irish Red are simple, reliable recipes that deliver big flavor without much fuss. They’re forgiving styles, meaning you don’t have to be a brewing expert to get them right, and they ferment quickly enough to be ready for the big day.
“This month, both our Skagit Stout and Red Tide Irish Red kits are 25% off—so there’s no excuse not to get brewing.”
Even better? This month, both kits are 25% off (yeast not included), so there’s no excuse not to get brewing. Whether you’re a seasoned homebrewer or just getting started, these are two styles you’ll love having on tap. Grab one—or both—and get your St. Paddy’s lineup locked in.
Place your order today, start brewing this week, and by March 17, you’ll have a fresh, homemade pint to enjoy. No green dye, no gimmicks—just a great beer made by you. Order your kit now and make this St. Patrick’s Day one to remember!
Sláinte!
Best Beers to Brew for the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is not just a football game—it’s an event that brings people together to enjoy food, fun, and, of course, great beer. If you’re a homebrewer looking to impress your friends and family, brewing a batch tailored to the occasion is the ultimate way to enhance game day. What are the best beers to brew for the Super Bowl. Here are some fantastic recipes that cater to various tastes and pair well with Super Bowl staples like wings, nachos, and pizza. We can’t leave beer cheese off the list. Quick question: how much beer cheese does Green Bay need to drink to win the Super Bowl?
For all the Seahawks fans out there who would instead try to forget the season, I would recommend the Stilly Stout; after a few rounds with that beer, you won’t care about, well, anything.
Don’t forget, you only have 30 days left to fill your kegerator with homebrew. Get 10% off a beer kit now through Jan 18th to make that a little easier.
Easy-Drinking Crowd Pleasers
Mt. Cream Ale This light-bodied, straw-colored ale is a classic choice. Its balanced and refreshing profile (OG 1.048, ABV 4.5%) makes it a perfect companion for chips and dips or a platter of sliders.
Spring Fling Lemon Cream Ale For something with a citrus twist, this lemon-forward ale (OG 1.053, ABV 5.9%) is crisp and crushable. Its refreshing taste pairs excellently with grilled veggies and chicken skewers.
Sessionable Wheat Beers
6th Street Wheat If you’re looking for a clean, approachable beer, this American Wheat (OG 1.052, ABV 5.3%) is a winner. With soft malt flavors and a dry finish, it’s great for pairing with spicy buffalo wings.
Whidbey Wit A Belgian Witbier (OG 1.047, ABV 4.7%) featuring orange peel and coriander, this brew is light and elegant, complementing fresh salads or seafood dishes on your Super Bowl spread.
For the Hop Heads
Cascade Pale Ale This American Pale Ale (OG 1.052, ABV 5.1%) showcases Cascade hops, offering a balance of malt and citrusy bitterness. It’s a go-to for hop lovers and pairs wonderfully with burgers and fries.
Sacred Cow IPA A modern West Coast IPA (OG 1.059, ABV 5.7%) with Simcoe, Amarillo, and Cryo Cascade hops, this beer’s bold flavors are ideal for cutting through the richness of cheesy nachos or pulled pork.
(p)Hazey New England IPA A hazy IPA (OG 1.059, ABV 5.7%) featuring double-dry-hopped Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado hops. Its juicy profile is a touchdown with tangy BBQ or sweet and spicy glazed wings.
Malty and Robust Choices
Red Tide Irish Red Ale With its roasted malt character and touch of sweetness (OG 1.053, ABV 5.2%), this red ale is a crowd-pleaser that pairs beautifully with hearty stews or corned beef sliders.
Chuckanut Brown An English Brown Ale (OG 1.055, ABV 5.7%) with hints of chocolate and nuttiness, this beer is smooth and satisfying—great with smoked sausages or pretzels.
High-Impact Brews
Stilly Stout This Russian Imperial Stout (OG 1.082, ABV 8.1%) is rich, dark, and perfect for sipping during halftime. Serve it with dessert-like brownies or chocolate chip cookies for a winning combination.
Inside Passage Imperial IPA For those who want hops and strength, this Imperial IPA (OG 1.083, ABV 8.4%) delivers. Pair it with bold flavors like spicy chili or a loaded pizza.
Brewing one—or more—of these beers ensures your Super Bowl party stands out. With a little planning, you can have the perfect batch ready to serve, making the big game an unforgettable experience. Cheers to great beer and even better company!
