St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that unites us all under the power of beer. Even people who don’t drink beer any other day of the year drink beer on St. Patrick’s Day. Luckily, you don’t have to drink light, flavorless yellow stuff that’s been loaded with green food coloring. Trust Flying Saucer to be the pot of craft beer gold at the end of your rainbow.
We’ve compiled some suggestions to seek out in your neck of the woods for a more enjoyable celebration. We’ve included Irish-inspired styles, Irish reds, dry stouts, American ambers and reds and anything else we feel will help you get the most out of your St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans.
How to have a craft beer St. Patrick’s Day
ARKANSAS
Stone Throw Mickey’s Irish Red: Toast your buddies with this Irish red from Little Rock, which starts sweet, ends dry, and carries a great malty, caramel flavor throughout. You could enjoy a few of these throughout the day.
Core Arkansas Red: A simply tasty American amber with the perfect amount of caramel sweetness at the top, followed by a toasty, dry ending. A malty backbone and the right amount of hops keep things interesting.
Core Oatmeal Stout: While it’s sweeter than a traditional Irish-style stout, you’ll enjoy this offering out of Springdale. Savor the roasted, smoky and full-bodied flavor laced with bitter chocolate and coffee.
Missouri
Schlafly Irish-Style Extra Stout: Lots of roasted and malted barley is balanced by the perfect amount of East Kent Golding and Pilgrim hops in this amped-up brew inspired by the traditional Irish versions. Although it weighs in at 8.0 percent ABV, it’s easy-drinking, creamy and refreshingly dry to keep you sipping.
4 Hands Reprise Centennial Red: You could probably guess which hop this beer was named after. (Hint: it’s the Centennial hop.) In fact, it’s the only hop you’ll find in this mouthwatering amber that has more spice and citrus bite than others. It’s a great jolt for St. Paddy’s.
North Carolina
Noda Ramble On Red: Here’s a great craft option for those looking for a sessionable amber/red. Deep, sweet, creamy malts give way to some peppery hops that actually finish earthy and herby. This is a beer that will keep you interested throughout your whole drinking session.
Highland Tasgall II Scotch Ale: There’s nothing wrong with drinking a Scotch ale on St. Patrick’s Day, and there’s everything right about drinking this particular brew. It’s a bold, rich and perfectly smoky beer that wraps you up in its warmth and makes you fall in love with its bittersweetness — much like a fine scotch.
Big Boss Coffee Stout: Let this decently boozy, very delicious beer be your dessert for St. Patrick’s Day. Made with coffee from local provider Larry’s Beans, you’ll know how lucky you are when that roasted coffee flavor delivers from beginning to end.
South Carolina
Full Spectrum Shamrock Stout: Full Spectrum’s version of an Irish stout is actually a blend of two different stout recipes. The end product is a lighter, easy-drinking beer that satisfies all day long. It’s reminiscent of a typical Irish stout you may have tasted before, but a bit sweeter with more well-rounded flavors.
Swamp Cabbage Amber: Similar to an Irish red, this malty, medium-bodied brew has sweet, biscuity, caramel flavors. However, the bitter hop bite at the end reminds you it’s an amber and keeps you coming back. Side note: “Swamp cabbage” actually is another name for the heart of a young palmetto tree.
Fat Pig ESB: Imagine a big pot of English malts tempered with smooth, restrained hops. This Extra Special Bitter has a controlled sweetness and an herbal profile that makes for super-interesting drinking. A 5.5 percent ABV means you could drink a few throughout the day.
Tennessee
Wiseacre Quiet Man: Debuting just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, this dry Irish stout could be just the thing you’re looking for. Not much is known about this offering, however, as it keeps to itself and just concentrates on being a good beer.
Wiseacre Gotta Get Up To Get Down: Brewed with coffee from a local coffee shop, this beer may help you with any midday sleepiness. A strong coffee taste gives way to flavors of chocolate milk made with bitter cocoa. It’s slightly luxurious, but very sessionable.
Honky Tonk Tennessee Jed: Here’s an amber that is primarily malt-driven, a bit heavier than most, but ends with a hint of refreshing hops. Deep, roasted sweetness is the name of the game with this one. It tastes like you’d expect a thick, rust-tinted caramel-colored beer to taste.
Texas
Peticolas Irish Goodbye: This take on an Irish red ale is copper in color and intriguing to drink. Caramel sweetness, lightly toasted grains and delicious hop balance means this will disappear before you know it, but you’ll keep coming back for more.
Leprechaun Pomegranate Cider: The pucker factor in this cider is strong — and so is the enjoyability factor. Be warned: it’s sweet, but the tartness of the pomegranates helps keep things in line. It may be red in color, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from it. And we don’t really need to discuss the leprechaun factor, do we?
Lakewood Sin Mint Temptress: Sin Mint’s flavor is so refreshing, you almost expect it to pour green. Don’t worry, it doesn’t. You’ll enjoy this imperial milk stout — brewed with mint and graham crackers — so much that you may never need to buy the cookie that inspired it again.
Branchline Patty O’Pounder: As with many Irish red ales, a malty sweetness is what you’ll find in this brew. However, the flavor is driven more by an earthy, nutty character rather than a fruity or caramel one. If you think you’ve had all the reds, give this offering a shot.
Freetail Spirulina Wit (Green): Okay, so we lied. You can grab a green beer and you can thoroughly enjoy it. Freetail has loaded their delicious rye wit with spirulina, a blue-green algae which some hail as a “superfood.” We don’t know about that, but we will say that this beer has a slight grassy taste that plays perfectly with an already great wit. If you’re looking for a strange, refreshing drinking experience that makes you feel like you’re making good life choices, this is the beer for you.
Of course, this is just our take, and there are many more Irish-inspired beers to be found across the country. Hit up your local Flying Saucer to see what else is being served, or ask for a suggestion that will best fit you.
And remember to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly. Don’t drink and drive.
