Yeah yeah yeah, St. Patrick’s Day swiftly approaches. Break out the Pogues’ records, be sure to put in your order for a big brisket of corned beef, make some soda bread, get some green clothing to avoid being pinched, etc.
And yes, you probably ought to have some alcoholic beverages. But which ones?
In all truth, stouts only make up about 32 percent of the beer sold in Ireland, lagers make up 63 percent, and ales the remaining five percent. Arthur Guinness himself originally brewed bitters, switched to porters, and eventually the stouts, we’re familiar with today. But there are more Irish Stouts than Guinness out there; try Beamish, or Murphy’s too. Stouts in Ireland are usually served nitrogenated. You may also want to try out Smithwick’s Irish Ale, a traditional Irish Red. Killian’s is neither Irish, nor an ale anymore. (more…)