Your St. Patrick’s Day drinking guide

With the number of Irish folks in these parts, it’s a wonder that the only local brewery that really advertises an Irish beer of any kind is Bayern Brewing. Their Killarney Red Lager is a German ode to that most Irish of saints. And while it can be a fine beer to quaff on St. Patty’s Day, there are other, rather more Irish beers available around these parts, though they’d undoubtedly fall into the macro category.

I enjoyed a bottle or two of Smithwick’s, pronounced Smitticks, at a party this weekend, and I’m always enchanted with this tasty Irish beer. It’s decidedly smooth, roasted grain flavor holds up well as an import beer, and it’s a great match with corned beef and cabbage or just about any Irish dish you feel like whipping up.

Oh, and it’s available at the Orange Street Food Farm.

Next, and widely available around Missoula, Guinness is the one thing I must do on every St. Patrick’s Day. The day just is not complete without a dry Irish stout, and American microbrewed stouts often fail to achieve that perfect balance of body, taste and finish that Guinness has been doing for nearly 300 years.

And last but not least, how should you celebrate?

Above all, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day safetly. Don’t go kissing unknown Leprechauns. Don’t believe them if they say they’ve got a bucket of gold that you should check out. And remember, if you’re going to drink Jameson or Bushmills on St. Patrick’s Day, do it before you drink the beer. Going from beer to hard liquor is a great way to start talking to Leprechauns and other mythological creatures.

Slainte,

GG