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While Minnesota is home to many incredible local craft beers, a new, authentic local Irish whiskey is making its debut at liquor stores and bars across the state.

As you might have heard by now, I'm a BIG fan of Minnesota's many local craft breweries. (And if you are too, you don't want to miss Rochester On Tap, the largest craft beer festival in southeast Minnesota, coming to Mayo Civic Center on October 30th! Check out the full list of participating breweries and wineries below.)

And after touring the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, Kentucky during a trip to Nashville a few years ago, I've also become a fan of various whiskies, and am learning more about them and the distillation process it takes to produce a good whiskey.

Which is why my eyes perked up back in August when I read about Red Locks Irish Whiskey,  new authentic Irish whiskey that was coming to Minnesota this fall (which may already be in your neck of the woods.) An update on the Red Locks Instagram page over the weekend noted that the first bottles of the new whiskey are on their way to liquor stores and bars and restaurants across Minnesota. (A friend noted that he already saw it at a liquor store in our neck of the woods over the weekend.)

Now, in case you're curious how is it that a Minnesota whiskey can also be an authentic Irish whiskey-- it's because this new whiskey is actually being distilled over in Ireland, but by a well-known Minnesota entrepreneur.

According to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, Twin Cities business owner Kieran Folliard is force behind the new Red Locks Irish Whiskey.  Kieran was the guy who developed the Minnesota-based 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey ten years ago (which he then sold to Beam, Inc. in 2012.) He's also owned some well-known bars and restaurants in the Twin Cities, like Kieran's Irish Pub, The Local and The Liffey.

And now, Red Locks is his latest development. According to a post on his Instagram page, Folliard says the new spirit is actually being produced across the pond, as they say. "It'll be distilled and aged in Ireland and blended by the highly-acclaimed Noel Sweeney," he said back in August.

I'm looking forward to trying it... or 'giving it a shot,' as their slogan says. And if you're looking for some OTHER great Minnesota-based drinks, keep scrolling to check out all the different breweries that will be a part of Rochester On Tap, October 30th at Mayo Civic Center.

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Full List of Breweries at Rochester on Tap 2021 + Wine, Cider, and Hard Seltzer

This year's Rochester on Tap is coming up on October 30th at the Mayo Civic Center. Take a look at all of the breweries that you'll be able to sample from, plus wine, ciders, and hard seltzers you'll be able to sample too.

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