There are a lot of holidays that might be considered "beer drinking holidays" (not to mention quite a few more if you listen to us at this blog.) However St. Patrick's Day has to be at the top of the list for just about everyone. It's the one time of year when everyone dons green, eats ham & cabbage, and orders a Guinness, whether they like it or not.
In lieu of suggesting you drink Guinness, which I would never do, I offer a list of some great St. Patrick's Day alternatives.
1. Killian's Irish Red
Killian's is the perfect "St. Patty's Day" beer. It's darker and a bit fuller in flavor than your average American beer, perfect for drinking in the cold March air at a parade or "parade day" party. But it's also not too heavy to be drank all day at one either. Plus it's got that great Irish name.
2. Smithwicks
Brewed by Guinness, this is an excellent (and authentically Irish) beer for all your St. Patrick's Day festivities. Just as easy to drink as Killian's but with the added pedigree of being direct from Ireland (even though it's probably brewed in Canada or New Jersey or something.)
3. Harpoon Celtic Ale
Alternative: Samuel Adams Irish Red
This is such a great sub-style of beer that you really can't go wrong. This is a session beer for a little bit more advanced beer drinker. There's definitely hops and you're going to find it gratingly bitter after a few if you don't like that sort of thing. But it has the dark warming qualities of the first two, mixed in with a nice alcohol punch that will keep you seeing shamrocks all day long.
So there you go. If you love Guinness, then by all means drink up this St. Patrick's Day. But if it's not your thing (and it's not a lot of peoples' thing) then don't feel left out, drinking boring green colored Coors Light all parade. Try one of these 3 and I guarantee your Irish (even if just for the day) eyes will be smiling.
No comments:
Post a Comment