WORCESTER, Mass. - Bay State Brewery & Tap Room will be taking over the beer tent for the Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade this year, offering a brand-new beer brewed just for the parade.
Bay State is rolling out a special beer they’ve made for the parade called the “Worcester Irish Red Ale.”
The new beer is a traditional Irish Red Ale. Bay State’s brewer Chip Jarry described the beer as light and easy drinking with sweet caramel and light bready undertones.
The bright green label on the can is meant to portray the theme and culture of the annual parade.
Jarry said the brewery has always had a close relationship with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and when the parade committee asked if Bay State could run the beer tent and create a new special beer, Jarry said they were honored for the chance to help out.
“I was very happy to help. I don't know if a lot of people realize, but that parade costs them about $60,000 a year; it's astronomical, it's not funded by the city. It's funded by strictly fundraisers that the parade committee goes through," Jarry said. "So, we were happy to help. It was fun to produce the beer. And we gave them an opportunity to raise little funds. And it gave us the opportunity to participate in the parade. We've got a lot of loyal friends that are around the city and it's just our way to participate and to give back.”
The Worcester Irish Red Ale will be available in limited sales at the Bay State taproom until St. Patrick’s Day.
Jarry said on parade day it will be available on-tap at select locations – including Bay State and Fiddler’s Green. It will be available in cans on-site at the parade’s beer tent, which will also be offering Guinness.