Submitted by MockieAhCork t3_11e6myw in WorcesterMA
Hi Folks- I’ll be relocating from Ireland to USA shortly and Worcester is on the short list of locations (along with West Springfield and Albany areas). I’m trying to get a feel for the cost of things. How much is the average pint/cocktail? And what are the best pubs for a Gen-X couple to go to? I’m American (lived part of my life in Worcester area) and my partner is very Irish (never lived outside Cork City before). Thanks!
The good news is, about half of the people who graduated from Worcester colleges in the past ten years seem to have opened a brewery, so there is an absolutely amazing variety of locally produced craft brews available.
Breweries... and junk removal companies
Thank you, will check out the cheaper end so! Not much into craft beer (too hoppy). Partner John likes Guinness in Ireland, but says it doesn’t travel well so he doesn’t drink it in US. My dad got him into Yeungling so that’ll probably be his go-to. I’m happy with Bud/Bud Light.
Your partner thinks Guinness loses its quality on the voyage to the States so chooses Yuengling as it's replacement?
While I've drank my fair share of Yuengling, I wouldn't abandon even a poor Guinness pour for it.
Scruffy Murphys has good beer prices. I think I was paying $6.50 for a pint of Guinness. I imagine domestics are even more reasonably priced.
Blame my Dad on the Yuengling! He got him hooked. I think all Guinness tastes cat, US and Ireland. But Irish people are fierce protective of their Guinness and won’t drink a poor pint.
It's probably a phase lol
I think I drank 8 cases of Yuengling in a year when I decided I liked it. I was like having one a night. Then two. Then I found reasons to have it - like while mowing or washing the car. I read about people having shower beers, so I took one to the shower with me. That's when my wife caught me. 😢 She didn't disapprove of me having my beer in the shower. But she didn't want to join, either. It's about that time I decided to go to the redemption center. I figured it was time to clean house. I got $35 back in recycled cans. It was a real eyeopener. I've scaled back since then.
Good to know it might just be a phase! If I catch him with one in the shower, I’ll know to start the intervention.
No way, nothing like a good shower beer. If you catch him with one in the shower leave him be, he's just enjoying himself!
Haha- thanks for the tip. I’ll keep that in mind.
> Your partner thinks Guinness loses its quality on the voyage to the States so chooses Yuengling as it's replacement?
Honestly seems normal to me. My beer taste is either good high quality craft shit or Miller High Life. Good or shit. There's no in between.
There are some great craft beers in Worcester that are not IPAs. Redemption Rock has quite a few options. Penny Pinchers in Millbury is a hidden gem with some interesting flavors.
I may have to broaden my horizons and try some craft beers, as long as the hops aren’t too overwhelming. The last one I tried I could practically chew it. Was not a fan.
It doesn't travel well, that's true.
I've heard this a few times. We are headed to Ireland later this year and so many people have mentioned HAVING to go to the Guinness Storehouse for a pint; and that the taste is completely different from what is poured here in the States
Great view from the storehouse bar, but IMHO The Palace Pub pours the most satisfying pint.
We were just in the Storehouse last month on a weekend trip to Dublin (went to see the Dropkick Murphys) and partner John says it was one of the best pints he’d ever had so you won’t be disappointed. I gave him my pint.
Could also get some heroin while at hotel vernon
> (check out Hotel Vernon for the cheaper end)
it's cheap for a bunch of reasons lol
Am i understanding this correctly…are you basing your new location on the cost of a cheap pint of bud light?!
Have you heard of the McDonalds Index? How much McD’s costs in a country compared to other countries tells you about the wealth of the country. This is a real tool economists use.
Asking about beer prices isn’t the craziest thing. If Boston bars sell Bud light for $5 but you can get it in Worcester for $3 that tells you something about the Worcester economy.
OP, you don’t like fancy beer, so you probably will hate it, but treehouse brewing has amazing beer. Fantastic IPA’s but also great other beers. Would look at it
I have heard of it but if you’re comparing the 3 cities based on the cost of a bud light, there won’t much difference. That’s why i was curious about other criteria
That’s not true. But sure ok.
Really? We’re talking about bud light here. The most it would differ is by a dollar or so. These are comparable cities, no?
Somewhat? I’m not into craft beer myself. I like Bud/Bud Light - basically a light lager. Trying to see what the prices are like (I’m coming from paying over €5 for a pint of Bud - about $5.50) and more interested in places that have regular draft beer than specialising in Craft beer. And trying to get a feel for what to expect price-wise while finding places good for us middle-aged kids.
Well, I think a pint of bud light will be the same anywhere out of those 3 cities. Also, you can get a 30 rack of those for your house fairly cheap. Do you have any other criteria??
For pubs, we love live music! And also should be welcoming/comfortable to people in their early 50s. A ‘Local’ where you can get to be known by (and ultimately become) a regular. Good craic.
Go to breens
Thanks, how much does a pint of Bud cost there?
$3 i believe, food is great
Steel & Wire has $3 Narragansetts, that's the cheapest I've seen in Worcester in recent times in a nice vibey setting. I'm sure some of the really divey places have similarly cheap beers, I bet Ralph's Diner has comparable prices but I haven't been in a while.
I believe 'Gansett at Ralphs is also $3, yeah. Maybe $3.50.
Gennessee is like a buck fifty though.
Gennessee! Bringing back the college memories. That and some Natty Boh.
You’re right, I think they are 3.50 at both Steel&Wire and Ralph’s. I lived in Boston for 11 years (but born in Woo) and I remember having sticker shock when I moved back to Worcester recently, cause you can barely get a Gansett for $4 anywhere in Boston.
Thanks- will hopefully get the chance to check it out
Worcester is much better than Springfield, Albany isn’t great either. Good Irish community in Worcester. Some of the pubs here will air the hurling/soccer games from Ireland.
That’s important for my partner (Cork GAA, Liverpool) and son (Arsenal). Worcester is at the top of my wish list, mostly because that’s where I’ve lived albeit a long time ago (Paxton/Oakham) and my brother lives in Chelmsford so would be nice to be close to family. Plus, promised ex-husband easy access - Boston to Dublin flights - for the kids’ sakes. But, it all depends on housing and a job -where I can find them!
Ralph’s is dimly lit, has pool tables, rock music, cheap beers.
West Springfield is big. There’s a large Russian community there. In Springfield there’s a large Afghanistani and Puerto Rican community. The affluent area in western MA is Longmeadow/East Longmeadow/Agawam.
Boland’s Pub just opened on Water St
Not technically in Worcester but Jack’s Abby specializes in lagers and have taps all over. Definitely check them out, their brewery is only 30ish minutes east of Worcester.
You can get Tayto and Club Orange at Emerald Meats.
Tattoo -yes! Will pass on the Club Orange
Tayto. Auto-correct thinks I’ve moved already.
I don't know if there is going to be a "best pub" for a Gen-X couple. There are A LOT of pubs and bars around Worcester and the entire state.
Expect to pay anywhere between $5 - $9 for a pint of beer on average, depending on the beer type. The beer scene is huge around here. There are tons of breweries that make their own beers that you can go to. If you are into drinking beer, you will not be disappointed in Massachusetts. It's one of the best beer states in the country and is situated within New England - and all of the other states also have very good breweries. Even within the brewery scene, there are a lot of places that specialize in the IPAs but there are also plenty of other options at most places.
You'll have to explore once you get here. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. We have dive bars, upscale lounges, Irish pubs, brewery taprooms, and all sorts of other places to get a drink.
Thanks! $9 for a pint of beer is disappointing to hear. That’s worse than Dublin which is a total rip-off place.
That's if you're going for a high-end craft brew. That's the very high end of the range. A high alcohol content New England IPA from a craft brewery can run you $9 at some places. You'd be plastered if you drink more than three of them anyway.
You can find regular pints of mass produced beer (Guinness included) for a lot less - probably around $4-$6 depending on where you go.
Try the Galway Pub. Irish owned
A must for the Irishman. It is in their blood to scout out the Irish pub no matter where in the world they are. Got into a massive fight with my ex-husband in Portugal because instead of going out and exploring he wanted to spend all day in the Irish pub watching Irish sports. So, sounds like we’ll be checking this place out!
What's making you return? I moved back to Albania and have night terrors from time to time thinking that my family and I never made the move in the 1st place. Europe is in a league of its own especially compared to how rich Ireland is, and the states (especially Worcester) has gone down hill and fast. Everyone has different reasons for moving of course, but try to be a little more analytical
> Everyone has different reasons for moving of course, but try to be a little more analytical
Wow. Just..... wow.
The OP is asking about the price of beer, mentioned that Worcester is on their short list for moving to, and you coming back with this judgemental, unsolicited opinion to an internet stranger is just a whole new level of wtf.
Who are you to tell anyone that one of the most major life changes they can do is a mistake?
Someone being honest with how fucked the place has gotten 🙃
Ireland has been my home for the past 18 years, but I am an American and America is home. My parents getting older and wanting to spend as much time with them is a driving factor. Plus, Ireland is a difficult country to get older in; everything takes so much effort! I want an easier life. Ireland is an expensive country, and the salaries don’t match the cost of living so there is very little money left over at the end of the month. And I miss baseball. And summer weather. And my kids (teenagers) want to experience American high school. So many more reasons. I’ll always have one foot in Ireland, but I am definitely ready for a move back.
Things aren't cheap there mate. Make your decision carefully
No, but most things are cheapER than Ireland. That’s why Albany and Springfield are in consideration because the cost of living is less than Worcester. I will factor in everything, but ultimately it comes down to where I can get the best job that will afford me the best quality of life.
Move to Florida,,, unless you are hacked up state or other use you have limited opportunities in WISTA
My son would love that, but I don’t like Florida at all. I want/need to be in this area to be near enough to my mother (she lives in NW corner of Connecticut on MA border).
Why the he'll would anyone want to go to an American High School? They're basically prisons for teenagers.
I guess any school anywhere would be like that? It’s a new experience. My daughter is especially looking forward to no uniforms. And you think American high schools are like prisons? My kids have had over 10 years of Irish-Catholic education. Talk about imprisoning! And these are public, not private, schools they go to.
Oyadonchano t1_jacr2cq wrote
Beer scene has really blown up here, so you'll see a lot of places with craft taps for $7-10 or above. But a regular lager will be $3-6 depending on the place (check out Hotel Vernon for the cheaper end). Cocktail scene here is sad and not worth mentioning.