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Tony Adams
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Smithwicks
We were told that it was a historic occasion. Apparently, we were in attendence at the first serving of Smithwick's Irish Ale on tap in the USA last Saturday night at Fast Eddie's (5943 Northwest Highway, Chicago).

The ale was pretty unremarkable in the way that I find all ales from the british isles unremarkable. We must thank the UK and her colonies for such awesome inspirations such as India Pale Ale and of course, Guinness, the blood of the gods, but with the exception of Guinness, it seems that the American microbrewers have left the Irish and the British in the dust.

Michael Jackson (no, the other Michael Jackson) explains that hops were a late addition to ale brewing. By implication he seems to suggest that perhaps the british isles should be excused for not using enough of them. I don't buy it. If they can manage to import enough hops to make Guinness the entirely hoppy bucket of joy that it is, why can't they do the same for the rest of the ales?

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