Best Beers To Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a holiday associated with drinking beer. The celebration began as a feast day held in honour of St. Patrick, and Christians are allowed to put aside their Lenten restrictions on food and alcohol consumption on this day. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture, history, and traditions, and beer is a significant part of it. While Guinness is the classic choice for a St. Patrick's Day pint, there are several other Irish beers and imports worth considering. From stouts to lagers, there's a beer for everyone to enjoy on this day.

Irish stouts

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated with an abundance of drinks, including the traditional Guinness and whiskey. But if you're looking for an Irish stout to drink on this festive day, here are some great options to choose from:

Guinness

Guinness is undoubtedly the most famous and well-loved Irish stout. It has dominated the market for centuries due to its highly persuasive marketing, romanticised drinking culture, extensive product refinement, and longstanding tradition. It is a low ABV drink, generally between four and five per cent, and features malt and roasted flavours with minimal hops presence. Its creamy white head, achieved through the invention of nitro systems in the late 1950s, is iconic. While it is the most popular choice, there are several other Irish stouts worth considering.

Murphy's Irish Stout

Murphy's Irish Stout is a worthy competitor to Guinness and is widely regarded as a superior stout in Cork. It has a slightly higher ABV of 4%, a dark colour, and a medium body. It is silky smooth, with toffee and coffee undertones and almost no bitterness. Murphy's is an internationally recognised stout with a brewing history dating back to 1856. It is brewed in the legendary surroundings of Lady's Well Brewery in Cork.

Beamish Irish Stout

Beamish is another classic Irish stout that dates back to 1792 and is also brewed in Cork. It has a devoted following, especially among those seeking an independent alternative to the more mainstream options. Beamish is distinctively black, with a tan head, and boasts roasted and heavy malt aromas. It blends malt, chocolate, and coffee flavours with a roast finish. It maintains a fine off-white, thick head until the last drop.

O'Hara's Irish Stout

O'Hara's is a well-known name in the Irish craft beer scene and their Irish stout is a gloriously creamy offering. It combines coffee aromas with light liquorice notes, thanks to its blend of traditional stout hops and roast barley. It has a robust roast flavour, a full-bodied and smooth mouthfeel, and a hint of bitterness in the aftertaste. O'Hara's is widely available in off-licences, but it is best enjoyed straight from the tap.

Black Rock Irish Stout

Black Rock is a newer entrant from the Dungarvan Brewing Company, becoming one of Ireland's best-kept secrets. It is a traditional dry Irish stout, combining roasted barley with notes of vanilla and aniseed. It has a brownish-black colour and is notably light and textured, with a subtle hoppiness and malty aftertaste. Black Rock is served in bottles and pairs perfectly with a hearty meal.

Porterhouse Oyster Stout

If you're looking for something a little different, the Porterhouse Oyster Stout is a unique offering. It is significantly sharper than a typical pint of Guinness, with a nutty, bitter, and ultra-dry flavour profile. It has an aroma of sweet, caramel notes and a hint of salty brine—a result of oysters being shucked into the brewing tanks. It finishes with a medium bitterness and notes of chocolate and coffee.

So, while Guinness may be the go-to choice for many, there is a diverse range of Irish stouts to explore and enjoy on St. Patrick's Day!

Irish reds

Smithwick's Irish Red Ale

Smithwick's dates back to as early as 1710 and claims the title of Ireland's "most loved ale." It is a ruby red ale with a creamy head, a fruity aroma, and hints of caramel and biscuits. It has mild hop notes and a light malt sweetness, making it a great beer to enjoy during St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Sullivan's Malting Irish Red Ale

Sullivan's Malting Irish Red Ale is a classic red ale traditionally brewed with ale malt grown near the Sullivan Brewing Company's main operation in Kilkenny, Ireland. It is made with four malts, three types of hops, and a cask ale yeast, resulting in traditional notes of biscuit and caramel.

O'Hara's Irish Red Ale

O'Hara's Irish Red Ale is brewed in County Carlow and has a refreshing mouthfeel and rustic, biscuit-like flavours. It is similar to an American amber ale and has an ABV of 4.3%, making it an easy-drinking option for St. Patrick's Day festivities.

Harp Lager

Although not an Irish Red, Harp Lager is another popular choice for St. Patrick's Day. It is a light, bready, clean, and crisp pilsner with a light hop bitterness and a malty finish. It pairs well with traditional St. Patrick's Day foods like corned beef and cabbage, making it an excellent choice for the holiday.

Irish lagers

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated with an abundance of drinking and merrymaking. The day marks a break from the restrictions of Lent, and people are allowed to indulge in food and alcohol. While there are many cocktails and drinks to choose from, beer is a popular choice.

When it comes to Irish lagers, there are several options to consider for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Here are some recommendations:

• Harp Lager: Harp is a light and crisp lager with a refreshing taste and a hint of spice. It was first brewed in 1968 in Dundalk and is now widely available.
• O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale: This is a flavourful and strong beer with a combination of European and American pale ale characteristics. It has a dominant hoppy profile balanced by fruity notes.
• Smithwick's Blonde: A crisp and citrusy blonde ale, Smithwick's is easy to drink and leaves no lingering aftertaste. It was founded in Kilkenny in 1710 and later bought by Guinness.
• Franciscan Well's Friar Weisse: This is an unfiltered wheat beer with a zesty twist, produced by one of Ireland's longest-established and most respected craft breweries.
• Mescan Westport Blonde: A crisp and clean lager with a hint of sweet and sour, this beer has a nice fruity flavour. It is brewed by two vets in Mayo.
• Kilkenny: Kilkenny is an Irish cream ale with a nitrogenated cream head, giving it a smooth and creamy texture. It has a surprisingly refreshing taste with notes of coffee, plums, and sweet biscuits.

These lagers offer a variety of flavours and strengths, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy on St. Patrick's Day.

Additionally, Guinness, though not a lager, is an extremely popular choice for St. Patrick's Day, with its creamy texture and notes of coffee and chocolate.

Irish cream ales

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated with an abundance of drinking, and one popular tipple is Irish cream ale. Kilkenny is a nitrogenated Irish cream ale from Guinness, which originated in Kilkenny, Ireland. It is available in cans, bottles, and on draught, and is similar to Smithwick's Draught but with less hop finish. Kilkenny is served in a similar manner to Guinness, with a creamy head. The beer is brewed with water, malted barley, roasted malted barley, hops, and yeast.

Another Irish cream ale is Wexford, which dates back to 1810 from Co. Wexford and is brewed using an original family recipe with Irish malt and hops. It has a smooth, mellow creaminess and is best served cold to bring out its malty-sweet notes of caramel and toffee.

While some people enjoy a pint of Guinness on St. Patrick's Day, others may prefer to try an Irish cream ale like Kilkenny or Wexford. These beers offer a smooth, creamy drinking experience and are perfect for those looking for something a little different to celebrate the occasion.

Irish cider

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated annually on March 17th, and is known for its association with the consumption of alcohol, particularly beer and whiskey. While beer is a popular choice, cider is also widely available in Ireland and can be a great alternative drink to enjoy on St. Patrick's Day. Here are some insights into Irish cider and its role in the celebration:

History of Cider in Ireland

Cider, an alcoholic beverage made from apples, has a long history in Ireland, dating back hundreds of years. The Irish language term for cider is "leann úll," which translates to "apple beer." Traditional regions of cider production included the counties of Armagh, Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Waterford, where monks in Christian monasteries crafted the drink. The first mention of cider in Irish text appeared in a 12th-century document from Ulster, praising a Mac Cana chieftain for the quality of his cider.

Cider continues to be a significant part of Ireland's culture and beverage industry. It is widely available in pubs, off-licenses, and supermarkets. While Magners is a well-known brand that dominated the market in the early 21st century, there are also numerous craft ciders and smaller producers creating unique and delicious Irish ciders.

If you're looking for some Irish cider recommendations to enjoy on St. Patrick's Day, here are a few options:

• Dan Kelly's Whiskey Cask Cider: This cider is made in the Boyne Valley and has a 4.5% ABV. It's fermented in bourbon casks for 6 months and then matured for 12, resulting in a rich, tasty drink.
• Stonewell Medium Dry Irish Craft Cider: Produced in Nohoval, Cork, this cider uses apples from Tipperary, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, and Cork. It's a traditional Irish cider made with five different types of apples, free of artificial additives and colourings.
• Cockagee Irish Keeved Cider: A craft cider from Meath, Cockagee uses the ancient keeving method of fermentation. It has a unique name, rich fruity flavours, a soft natural sparkle, and a long dry finish. It's meant to be savoured like prosecco or champagne.
• Madden's Mellow Cider: Produced by the Armagh Cider Company in Armagh, also known as "Orchard County," this award-winning cider is made from fresh-pressed apples grown on the maker's home farm. It's naturally mellow and free of artificial ingredients.
• Rockshore Cider: Brewed at St. James's Gate, the home of Guinness, Rockshore Cider is light, crisp, and easy to drink. It's sweet but not overly so, making it a refreshing choice.

So, if you're looking for an alternative to beer this St. Patrick's Day, consider trying one of these Irish ciders. They offer a variety of flavours and experiences, from traditional craft ciders to sweeter, lighter options. Enjoy responsibly and have a happy St. Patrick's Day!

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