It might just be us, but we think “quaffing” needs more airplay. If all the alcohol companies would say, “quaff responsibly,” betcha their sales would skyrocket!
Anyway, St. Patrick’s Day is coming up Monday, and we would be remiss if we didn’t give you our annual St. Paddy’s Day snacking and quaffing recommendations. There aren’t many holidays in which a strong Irish beer is a virtual requirement, so let’s take advantage of this rare opportunity and delve into some interesting flavors and textures.
Here’s our picks:
Keogh’s Crisps
First, the chips. Ever wondered why bars serve free pretzels and potato chips? Because a thirsty patron drinks more beer.
To warm up the palate for the beer to come, we recommend starting with Keogh. Keogh’s Crisps are a brand of potato chips (or “crisps,” as they’re called in Ireland) that are an authentic Irish taste experience and truly like nothing else out there. The potatoes are grown on a family farm in Ireland and only the highest-quality ingredients are used, often sourced locally near the farm. This includes Irish sea salt, cheeses from local producers, and other regional flavors. Finally, they’re cooked by hand in small batches, which contributes to their one-of-a-kind texture and flavor. A chip like no other, and one of our all-time favorites. (And we try a lot of chips around here.)
Guinness
On to the brews. Here’s an old joke but a good one:
Three beer company CEOs go out for dinner. Two are from a couple of big American lager companies, and one is from Guinness. The waiter asks the CEOs of the lager companies what they’d like to drink, and naturally they each select one of their company’s own beers. Then the waiter asks the CEO of Guinness what he would be drinking. “I’ll just have water,” he says. The two other CEOs look puzzled and ask why he didn’t order a Guinness. “Well,” he replies, “if you two aren’t drinking beer tonight, neither am I.”
Guinness may not be the most unique choice on our list, but it’s surely the most popular, and with good reason. A beer-lover’s beer and a solid choice for St. Patrick’s Day (or any day), Guinness has a velvety texture achieved through nitrogenation, a process that produces smaller, more stable bubbles than carbon dioxide, which results in a creamy, smooth mouthfeel. Along with its iconic dark color and strong flavor, Guinness is our bedrock choice for the holiday. (Pro tip: on sale now! Available in all locations.)
Guinness Zero
Guinness Zero is a non-alcoholic version of the classic Guinness stout. Essentially it’s designed to give you the familiar Guinness experience—the dark color, the roasted barley flavor, and the creamy texture—but without the alcohol. It’s the perfect choice for those who enjoy the taste of Guinness but want to avoid alcohol. (Pro tip: also on sale now! Available in all locations.)
Zero Gravity Irish Cream Porter
Our friends at Zero Gravity in Burlington, VT, never disappoint, and this dark, silky, easy-drinking brew is no exception. Zero Gravity Irish Cream Porter is a beer that aims to capture the flavors of Irish cream liqueur within a dark, porter-style brew. Essentially it’s a thick blend of dark beer, creamy sweetness, and a whiskey-like flavor designed to be a rich and indulgent experience. Mission accomplished. (Available in all locations.)
Sober Carpenter Irish Red
Another solid non-alcoholic offering. Sober Carpenter Irish Red is a non-alcoholic beer designed to mimic the taste of a traditional Irish red ale, with malty notes and hints of caramel and roasted barley, but no alcohol. The result is a near beer that nonetheless has a smooth, slightly sweet taste, with the reddish hue and malty, slightly sweet flavor profile of a great Irish red. (WRJ store only.)
O’Hara’s Irish Stout Nitro
This distinctive Irish Stout is a dark, creamy beer that uses nitrogen to create a smooth and velvety texture, somewhat similar to a Guinness. (The “nitro” part of the name refers to the nitrogen gas used during the canning/kegging process.) The brew is built on the foundation of a stout—a dark beer with roasted malt flavors—giving it notes of coffee, chocolate, and a slight bitterness. Exceptionally smooth and creamy. (Hanover store only.)
Give one (or more) of our picks a try and let know what you think! Comment below.
Please quaff responsibly, and happy St. Patrick’s Day!
—Ken Davis, senior writer
