It’s been quipped that all Scottish food was originally based on a dare. Along the same lines, we might say that St Patrick’s Day is based on a tradition of kidnapping. Although you may know that St. Patrick lived in Ireland, the part of the story that’s often left out is that he was actually from a wealthy Romano-British family, and was kidnapped by Irish raiders. Which sounds perhaps a bit more in the rugged and heroic Irish spirit. The kidnapping theme was continued later, when Americans kidnapped the official celebration of Irish culture and heritage, and turned it into a day to wear silly green hats and stumble the streets of Boston or Chicago in search of green beer. The fact that a considerable amount of drinking seems to take place on St. Patrick’s Day should not be surprising; historically the Irish have tended to take a lot of pride in their drinking ability. Which is probably why there are so many fine Irish whiskeys and beers to toast St Patrick’s day. Below are a few we have on hand. They’re magically delicious!
Irish Beer |
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Arbor Brewing |
Not actually Irish, but this Irish-style stout is made right here in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dark coffee-like appearance with a creamy head. Medium-bodied. Mild bitterness. Peaty, smoky, roasted grain aromas. Rich and creamy on the palate with chalky, burnt flavors that never turn too dry through the smoky finish. A full flavored, smoky style with plenty of chocolate and espresso notes.ABV: 4.50% |
Porterhouse Oyster Stout |
Brewed with fresh oyster. A smooth drinking aromatic stout with a discernible but unidentifiable aromatic aspect. Not suitable for vegetarians. This gently flavored stout has a roast malt character, full body and an aromatic character from the Goldings hops. Fresh oysters added during the brewing process, lend a discernible yet unidentifiable note. Not suitable for vegetarians! ABV: 4.8% |
 Porterhouse Red Ale |
At last an Irish Red Ale with a traditional hop flavour to balance the fruit character of the yeast and the luscious caramel flavour notes delivered from the malts used, as opposed to artifiacially added. ABV: 4.4% |
XXXX Wrasslers |
Cold filtered and kegged. Also available bottled. Made to a recipe originally brewed by Deasy’s of West Cork in the early 1900’s. This was Michael Collins’ favourite tipple – a stout like your gradfather used to drink. A fine fullsome stout, full in every way, a pungent aroma of late kettle hops. A generous quantity of roast grain for flavour, bitter with flaked barley producing that body.ABV: 5% |
Smithwicks Irish Ale |
Smithwick’s is Ireland’s number one ale. Its exceptional taste, distinctive colour and purity of ingredients make it unique. Its rich, satisfying taste has earned it five gold medals in the famous Monde Selection Beer Tasting Competition. Smithwick’s is produced using the finest hops and special roasted, malted barley. In 1998 a new enhanced draught product with improved head retention was launched along with redesigned glassware. ABV: 5% |
Curim Gold Celtic |
Curim Gold is a bright sparkling wheat beer brewed using a blend of pure malt, torrified wheat and caramalt. It is lightly hopped using Challenger, Mount Hood and Cascade varieties resulting in a refreshingly fruity beer with hints of peach, banana and plum.4.3% ABV |
O’Hara’s Celtic Stout |
O’Hara’s Celtic Stout is a full bodied, luxuriously smooth stout. Traditional stout hops and an extra pinch of roast barley combine with the crystal clear Irish Water to produce a modern dry stout with enough malt sweetness to balance that discernible roast bite. 4.3% ABV |
Magners Original |
Okay, this isn’t actually a beer! Magners is made using fresh apples. Each one of their 17 carefully selected varieties are grown in their beautiful Irish orchards and local farms, using only natural products. It pours a light brass color with minimal bubbles. The flavor is crisp and light, much more reminiscent of and apply wine, and the maker recommends serving it over ice.4.5% |
Guinness Draught (Bottle!) |
From the producer: Newly improved Guinness Draught in a Bottle. Enhances the drinking experience when drunk from the bottle. Through innovation and dedication to delivering the best drinking experience, the gas mix has been adjusted so no need for the widget. Same great liquid brewed in St James’ Gate Dublin, using the same great ingredients. 4.20% ABV |
Guinness Foreign |
From the producer: Foreign Extra Stout is a beer like no other. The most full-flavoured of all. Singular and striking. Uniquely satisfying. Brewed with extra hops and roasted barley for a natural bite. Bitter and sweet. Refreshingly crisp. Always rewarding. ABV: 7.5% |
Irish Whiskey |
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Jameson Rarest |
Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve is the ultimate expression of Jameson distilling expertise. For this first vintage, fortified port pipe casks were used for maturing one of the pot still whiskeys imparting a glorious fruit rich character to the whiskey. The combination of the oldest and rarest parcels of whiskey by the Jameson whiskey Masters of Distillation, Blending and Maturation result in a whiskey with depth, complexity and a supremely lavish taste. |
Connemara Peated |
Connemara’s smooth sweet taste and complex peat flavours make it a truly unique irish whiskey.No other Irish whiskey combines rich smoky tones with delicious fruitiness and vanilla tones whilst retaining the traditional smoothness associated with Irish whiskey. Connemara is double distilled in 2 small pot stills to ensure a whiskey full of robust flavour and character. |
Redbreast 12 Year Old |
Redbreast is a very special whiskey within the Irish Distillers fortified as it’s the only 12 year old Pure Pot Still available. It was first launched in 1939 as the brand name given to the pot still whiskey supplied by Jameson to whiskey bonders before bottling at the distillery became the norm in 1968. Stocks of whiskey in bonders’ stores petered out, and thus Redbreast all but disappeared until its re-launch by the distillery in the 1990s as a single pot still whiskey. This pure pot still whiskey is matured for a minimum of 12 years in sherry casks and Bourbon barrels. Like all good pot still whiskeys, it is strongly flavoured and assertive, making it a rare treat for the connoisseur of fine old whiskey. |
Powers Gold Label |
One of the great Irish Whiskeys, representing the best of Irish quality, tradition and character. With over 2.5 million bottles sold each year, Powers Gold Label is one of Ireland’s best loved whiskeys and indeed spirit brands. So much so that in every pub and off-license in Ireland, you will always find a bottle of Powers Gold on hand. |
Paddy Old Irish Whiskey |
Paddy is one of Ireland’s favourite whiskeys and is the only major Irish whiskey to use single malt in its blend, thus creating its uniquely rich & mellow flavour. Paddy’s mellow flavour means it can be enjoyed mixed in a long drink with cola, lemonade or ginger ale, or in the more traditional manner – neat, on ice, or with water. |
 Midleton Very Rare |
Midleton Very Rare, a magnificent blend of the finest distillates hand-picked by the Master Distiller, Barry Crockett, is one of Ireland’s most exclusive whiskeys. Whiskeys from the old Midleton distillery have always been acknowledged as special. Thus, this top Irish whiskey takes its name from the east Cork distillery town. This whiskey is aged between 12 and 25 years, and is matured exclusively in seasoned Bourbon barrels. |