Revisiting ‘Leprechaun’ with New Trail Leprechauns Drink Milkshakes Too IPA

The Movie: Fantasy-Horror-Comedy / 1993 / Trimark Pictures – Lionsgate Films

The Beer: A BRIGHT GREEN Milkshake IPA / 7.5% ABV / New Trail Brewing – Williamsport, PA

“What the heck did I just watch?” is a very normal response to 1993’s horror-fantasy romp, Leprechaun.

If you haven’t seen it, the first thing you need to know is that it stars Warwick Davis as a vengeful leprechaun from Ireland wrecking havoc on a small group of people in North Dakota. Only in this movie, North Dakota looks an awful lot like Southern California, and the leprechaun is far more obnoxious than he is scary. He also looks like the demon offspring of a Troll doll and Salacious B. Crumb.

The second thing you need to know is that it co-stars a young Jennifer Aniston doing some seriously hilarious bad acting. She’s far from the only cast member forcing out lines like they’re in a school play written by the school counselor’s weird brother, but she’s the most memorable. Don’t get me wrong – I think is Jennifer Aniston great. It’s worth noting, however, that this movie came out one year before Friends began.

Last but not least, the third thing you need to know is that Leprechaun was deemed worthy enough to spawn a sequel the following year, then a whopping six more after that. That’s right – eight whole movies of Warwick Davis running around trying to enact his leprechaunious revenge only to be thwarted by young people finding four-leaf clovers on their lawns (I assume this happens in every movie, but I’m not going to lie, I haven’t watched them all). If you go on to watch any of the sequels though, I suggest 2000’s Leprechaun in the Hood because Ice-T and Coolio join the cast and get high with Warwick’s leprechaun (for real). And if you find that watchable, you can then jump right into 2003’s Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood.

With as weird as Leprechaun and its sequels are, it only makes sense to go with a beer that’s also packing quirks. Ladies, gentlemen, and leprechauns, I give you Leprechauns Drink Milkshakes Too Milkshake IPA from New Trail Brewing!

In addition to being “haphazardly hopped with the almighty Citra,” this brew is loaded with additions of oats, mint, vanilla and lactose.” The brewers say to expect notes of fresh mint, backed with rich citrus flavor and sweet vanilla. They also say it’s “like a Shamrock exploded in your mouth.” Apart from the occasional shamrock shake from McDonalds and the time I sampled lawn grass as a kid, I’ve never eaten an actual shamrock. So, I’ll take their word for it.

Of course, depending on who you are, the combination of this bright green minty IPA and watching the antics of a murderous leprechaun might not sit too well on your stomach anyway. For those who feel that may be the case, please scroll down and check out the somewhat more traditional St. Paddy’s day brews below.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

*Bonus Brews*

• Harpoon Boston Irish Stout / Irish Dry Stout / 4.3% ABV / Harpoon Brewery – Boston, MA
• Shamrock Shake / Irish Cream Milk Stout / 5.5% ABV / Listermann Brewing – Cincinnati, OH
• Nitro Irish Stout / Irish Dry Stout / 4.8% ABV / Breckenridge Brewery – Littleton, CO
• Quilter’s Irish Death / Strong Ale / 7.8% ABV / Iron Horse Brewery – Ellensburg, WA

And finally, it goes without saying…

• Guinness Draught / Irish Dry Stout / 4.2% ABV / Guinness – Saint James’ Gate, Leinster Ireland