Restaurant
Unclaimed profileMcCarthy's Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar
Bethlehem, PA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
A pub and whiskey bar with a serious whiskey program: over 100 whiskies, 26 flights, and a Whiskey Society with members-only pours. Classic cocktails lean on whiskey, from a $15 Whiskey Sour to a $24 Old Fashioned made with the house Elijah Craig barrel. Draft beer covers Irish standards and local nitro pours.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Old Fashioned, built on the house Elijah Craig barrel pick, then explore the whiskey flights—26 options of three 3/4-ounce pours let you compare regions without committing to full glasses.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Whiskey enthusiasts will find the deepest value here, especially those interested in exploring flights and rare pours. Beer drinkers appreciate the Irish draft standards and local nitro options. Cocktail purists can get a proper Manhattan or Sazerac.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Whiskey pours run $7 to $65, with flights $25 to $45. Classic cocktails cost $15 to $24; a Razz Cosmo is $10. Draft beers are $5 to $9, bottles $4 to $6, and wines $9 a glass or $25 a bottle.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail list splits between a vodka-based Razz Cosmo and a solid run of classic whiskey cocktails. The Manhattan, Sazerac, and Old Fashioned each feature a specific whiskey, including a house barrel pick for the Old Fashioned.
Menu strengths
- — Classic whiskey cocktails are built around named whiskeys, from Woodford Reserve Double Oak to the house Elijah Craig barrel.
- — Pricing spans $15 to $24, with the Razz Cosmo at $10, offering a lower-cost entry.
Standout selections
- — Old Fashioned with the house Elijah Craig barrel at $24
Pricing: $10-$24
Wine
A compact wine list with six selections by the glass, including Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio. Most are also available by the bottle at $25, a straightforward value approach.
Menu strengths
- — Consistent $9 glass pricing across all listed wines makes ordering simple.
- — Bottle option at $25 for several wines offers a cost-effective way to share.
Standout selections
- — Villa Sorono Pinot Noir at $9/$25; Simone Sauvignon Blanc at $9/$25
Pricing: $9 glass / $25 bottle
Beer
Draft list emphasizes Irish classics—Guinness, Smithwicks, Kilkenny—plus local nitro pours like Fergus McCarthy and Cormac's Revenge. Unique blends like Half & Half and Black Velvet add pub character. Bottled options include Yuengling and Guinness ZERO.
Menu strengths
- — Strong Irish core with Guinness, Smithwicks, and Harp on draft.
- — Local representation via Bru Daddy Brewery and Seven Siren's Brewery.
- — Draft blends like Half & Half and Blacksmith offer traditional pub mixes.
Standout selections
- — Guinness Nitro Irish Stout at $8; Dragon's Milk Imperial Bourbon Barrel-Aged at $9
- — Cormac's Revenge Nitro Irish Cream Stout at $8
Pricing: $5-$9 draft, $4-$6 bottle
Nonalcoholic
It provides a familiar option for those abstaining, but there is no other nonalcoholic beverage listed.
Menu strengths
- — Guinness ZERO allows participation in the stout experience without alcohol.
Standout selections
- — Guinness ZERO — 6.0 — Non-alcoholic stout; The drinks menu lists Guinness ZERO as a non-alcoholic bottled beer.
Pricing: $6
Spirits
Whiskey is the centerpiece, with over 100 whiskies spanning Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Canada, and the US. The menu organizes by region and style and includes 26 flights of three 3/4-ounce pours. A Whiskey Society offers members-only Secret Swigs, and a Penderyn tasting event is scheduled.
Menu strengths
- — Over 100 whiskies with global representation and regional organization.
- — 26 flights at 3/4-ounce pours allow broad exploration without full pours.
- — Whiskey Society Secret Swigs provide access to members-only pours.
Standout selections
- — Lagavulin 16 Islay single malt at $40; Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon at $50
- — Redbreast 12 Irish single pot still at $18
Pricing: $7-$65 per pour; flights $25-$45
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