St. Patrick’s Day Beer Picks: Celebrate with the Perfect Pint!
Looking for the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day beer? Whether to make your own emerald pint or to enjoy an Irish classic, our roundup has it all.
Embrace the festivities with the perfect beer, from green-tinted ales to storied stouts, and let the good times roll. Dive in to find that ideal brew for your St. Paddy’s Day cheer.
Key Takeaways
- Go green or go traditional – you can turn any light beer green with a few drops of food coloring or stick with classic Irish brews like Guinness and Smithwick’s for your St. Paddy’s Day.
- Think beyond Ireland – American craft beers with Irish twists and robust European brews can also play a role in your St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans.
- Beer pairing is key – Match your favorite St. Patty’s foods like corned beef or shepherd’s pie with the perfect stout or ale to elevate the experience.
Creating the Perfect Green Beer
A pint of green beer is synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day. In truth, green beer is just a regular light-colored beer with a dash of green food coloring.
To create your own, opt for a light-colored ale, like a pilsner or pale ale, as they are best suited to taking on the green hue. Just a few drops of food coloring in your beer, and then gently stir until the color spreads out evenly.
While American drinkers adore this tradition, the choice of beer is about more than just color. The choice of beer also affects the flavor of your green pint. So, when you pour that glass of green beer, choose a brew that you enjoy.
After all, St. Patrick’s Day is all about celebration and enjoyment, so go ahead and drink green beer.
Celebrating with Irish Beers
If you prefer traditional beer, numerous Irish beers are available. From the rich flavors of classic stouts to the crisp taste of lagers, there’s a great beer in the Irish beer selection for every taste bud.
Classic Irish Stouts
Guinness is perhaps the most recognized name when it comes to Irish beer. This classic Irish stout is celebrated for its rich, creamy texture and complex flavors.
These include malty sweetness, hoppy bitterness, and hints of coffee and chocolate. Another popular choice is Murphy’s Irish Stout, brewed in Cork. It offers a more chocolaty flavor profile with roasty coffee and chocolate notes.
Both Guinness and Murphy’s have unique brewing processes, delivering distinct flavors that set them apart from your standard beer.
The creamy head of Guinness Draught and the velvety texture of Murphy’s are loved by American drinkers, making them excellent choices for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Irish Beer Bottle Inspo
Delightful Irish Ales
Another fitting choice for St. Patrick’s Day is Irish ales. Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale is a classic choice, boasting a long tradition and unique brewing process. This ale is all about malty goodness with hints of caramel, toffee, and roasted barley.
Another great pick is O’Hara’s Irish Red Ale. Brewed in County Carlow, this ale offers a bit of hop flavor alongside its malty profile, making for a well-balanced and satisfying pint.
These delightful Irish ales are sure to bring a touch of the Emerald Isle to your St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and they are among the best Irish beers you can find.
Refreshing Irish Lagers
If you desire a light and refreshing beer, an Irish lager is worth considering. Harp Lager and O’Hara’s Irish Craft Lager are excellent options that bring a crisp, refreshing taste to your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Harp Lager, in particular, offers a clean, crisp, and bready flavor, beginning with a touch of hop bitterness and ending with a malty finish. This lager, made with unmalted barley, is a great choice for those looking for a lighter beer that still packs plenty of flavors.
International Beers for St. Patrick’s Day
Although Irish beers are a customary choice for an Irish holiday like St. Patrick’s Day, a variety of international beers can equally enhance the festive spirit. From American craft beers to European brews, let’s broaden our beer horizons.
American Craft Beers
American craft beers, with their diverse flavors and styles, can be a versatile addition to your St. Patrick’s Day party. Many American craft beers incorporate Irish-inspired flavors, creating a unique blend of American innovation and Irish tradition.
For instance, Bob’s First from Magic Hat Brewing Company and Rivet Irish Red are two examples of American craft beers that echo the flavors of traditional Irish brews.
These beers offer rich flavors with hints of:
- toast
- caramel
- buttery toffee
- the distinctive taste from roasted barley.
European Brews
For international flavors in your St. Patrick’s Day celebration, European brews should not be overlooked. Several European cities, such as Paris, Copenhagen, and Munich, are known for their contributions to the St. Patrick’s Day beer scene.
Consider trying a Scottish stout like Belhaven Black, which offers roasted malt, coffee, and chocolate flavors, ideal for St. Patrick’s Day.
Belgian ales, known for their robust flavors, also make a flexible and attractive choice for the celebration. Top-rated Belgian ales like Lil Devil, Horny Devil, and Grand Cru are sure to impress your guests.
Cider and Whiskey Alternatives
Although beer is a popular choice for St. Patrick’s Day, there are other alternatives. If you or your guests prefer something different, consider cider and whiskey alternatives. Ciders, in particular, come in a variety of flavors, offering a refreshing alternative to beer.
Take Magners Original Irish Cider, for instance. This semi-sweet, crisp cider is made with 17 kinds of apples and offers a unique taste profile that’s not overly fruity. Other Irish ciders like Bulmers and Dan Kelly’s Cider are also worth considering.
St. Patrick’s Day Food Pairings
Having covered the drinks, it’s time to consider food. Traditional Irish dishes like corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and Irish soda bread are not only delicious but also pair exceptionally well with the beers we’ve discussed.
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage, a staple of St. Patrick’s Day, combines salty, spiced, sour, and savory flavors. Pairing this dish with the right beer can enhance these flavors, making for a truly memorable meal.
An Irish stout, like Guinness, enhances the flavor of corned beef and cabbage with its creamy, slightly bitter, and rich taste. The saltiness of the corned beef and the stout’s rich flavors complement each other, creating a delightful harmony of taste.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie, another St. Patrick’s Day favorite, is a hearty dish comprised of savory ground meat, vegetable gravy sauce, and spices like cinnamon. Pairing this dish with beer can enhance its flavor and make for an even more enjoyable dining experience.
Consider pairing your shepherd’s pie with an inexpensive red Bordeaux, stout, or Spanish Bobal. These beers bring out the savory flavors of the pie, creating a harmonious blend that is sure to please your palate.
Irish Soda Bread
Finally, let’s not forget about Irish soda bread. This classic Irish treat is known for its simple but delicious flavor, made with ingredients like flour, baking soda, and buttermilk, sure to please your taste buds.
Paired with the right beer, Irish soda bread can be even more delightful. Guinness and Irish lagers like Harp are great choices. Their flavors complement the bread’s mild, slightly sweet taste, making for a perfect St. Patrick’s Day treat.
Hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Beer Tasting Party
Given the variety of beers and food pairings available, hosting a St. Patrick’s Day beer tasting party could be a fun idea. It’s a fun way to celebrate the holiday and impress your guests with your beer knowledge.
When picking beers for your tasting party, consider including popular Irish beers like Guinness, Smithwick’s, and Harp Lager. These make for some great Guiness beer blends too. Also, consider adding beers from other countries for variety.
To set up a proper tasting station, provide different glasses, pour beers into flight glasses, and encourage your guests to engage their senses when tasting. Aim for around four or five different beer varieties to keep it interesting without going overboard.
Summary
Whether you’re a fan of green beer, traditional Irish stouts, or international brews, there’s a perfect pint for everyone this St. Patrick’s Day.
From hosting a beer tasting party to pairing beers with traditional Irish dishes, there are countless ways to celebrate. So, raise your glass and celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day with the perfect pint!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a good beer for St Patrick’s Day?
A great beer for St. Patrick’s Day is Guinness, but you can also consider Smithwick’s, Kilkenny, Harp Lager, Murphy’s Irish Stout, Beamish Irish Stout, O’Hara’s Irish Red, and Galway Bay Brewery’s Of Foam and Fury for a festive celebration. Try one of these options for a true taste of Ireland!
What beer is most consumed on St Patrick’s Day?
The most consumed beer on St. Patrick’s Day is Guinness. Cheers to celebrating with this iconic and rich Irish brew!
Why is St Patrick’s Day celebrated with beer?
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with beer because of a historical tradition where Lenten food and alcohol restrictions were temporarily removed, allowing people to drink and feast. Today, this tradition continues as some Catholics choose to set aside Lent restrictions just for the holiday. Cheers!
What is the most famous Irish beer?
The most famous Irish beer is Guinness, which has been the world’s best-selling Irish beer since its origins in 1759. Cheers!
What kind of beer should I use to make green beer?
You should use light-colored beers like pilsner or pale ale to make green beer. These types of beer work best for creating the vibrant green color you’re looking for.