McCarthy Stout named among the world’s Best
49th State Brewing’s Win for Alaska at the European Beer Star Awards
Forbes released the list of the World’s Best Stouts and 49th State Brewing represented Alaska among the world’s best with Nitro McCarthy Stout. In 2024, the European Beer Star had 2,360 entries from 50 countries. Of that pool, 225 medals were awarded. The beers were judged by an international panel of experts during a blind tasting at the Exhibition Center in Nuremberg, Germany.
Before founding 49th State Brewing, David McCarthy was an avid homebrewer. A fan of Guinness, McCarthy developed his own dry Irish stout recipe with similar drinkability but more robust flavors and aromas of chocolate, coffee, and dark roasted malts.
When 49th State Brewing opened in 2010, this stout was the first beer produced. Named for the town of McCarthy where Irish pioneer, James McCarthy, settled during the Klondike Gold Rush next to the Kennecott mine, this beer carries the tradition of supplying beer to miners and community members alike.
In 2021, 49th State became the only brewery in Alaska producing beer in a nitro widget can. It’s fitting that Nitro McCarthy Stout should be named one of the best in the world as 49th State enters its 15th year of operations. A favorite of the Irish Club of Alaska and stout lovers around the state, Nitro McCarthy Stout will be flowing at the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the state held at their downtown Anchorage pub.
Also showcasing Alaska’s craft beer quality, 49th State’s Smо̄k Lager won its 2nd European Beer Star medal this year in the Franconian-Style Smoke Beer category.