You Don't Need Green Beer To Stay Festive

March is a weird time for beer. We are in the middle of a battle between seasons. Is it still Winter or is Spring beginning to show its face. This is the case with both weather and beer. The shelves are lined with both the dark heavy beers of winter, but also the lighter, not really any set style, beers of spring. It’s that awkward growing period we all go through, luckily March has a secret weapon and it falls right in the middle of the month.

                Although the seasonal releases may not be able to make up their mind about what we want to drink, there is a short time where we ditch everything. We all find ourselves with a dry stout in hand. I am of course talking about the first in the Holy Trinity of beer holidays; St. Patrick’s Day.

When the 17th rolls around, Irish or not, chances are many of you will be eating Corned Beef and Cabbage. Yes, the rich, chocolate, roasted notes of a Dry Irish Stout counter the saltiness of the food wonderfully. Let’s say you don’t like stouts though, what else will work? Red ales add a bit of a caramel sweetness, in addition to more roasted notes, to work just as well. Scottish ales add a slightly smoky note as well. You have options.

If you aren’t having Corned Beef, you may be having a rich Beef Stew. Most of the previous beers are fairly interchangeable, but my personal favorite is a traditional English Brown Ale. You get plenty of sweetness from the caramel malt, you get a slight nuttiness, and you get toffee and biscuit notes. All of these flavors marry wonderfully and just merge with the beef stew in a way that will take it to the next level.

There are plenty of options for Irish cuisine on the 17th, but if you are looking to pair a pint or two then there are plenty of options.  Enjoy the day, stay safe, and please avoid any and all green beer. Cheers!

Some great offerings:

Brooklyn Irish Stout, Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale, Three Heads Rochestifarian Scottish Ale, Ruthless Rye IPA, Finch’s Fascist Pig Red Ale, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord Pale Ale, Buzzard’s Bay Moby D, Peak Organic Nut Brown Ale, Uinta Baba Black Lager, Guinness Draught, Smithwick’s Ale, Killian’s Irish Red, Harp Lager.

Cheers,

Jared Kent, C.B.S

Grapes & Grains Beer & Spirits Sales Manager