So I sadly realized that I missed posting on St. Patrick's day, the biggest drinking holiday of all. To make amends for this, I'd like to say a few words about it.
Firstly, I hope everyone
had a Guinness on St. Patty's. I'm an open-minded guy, but I believe there is value in traditions. I've been to Ireland (I'm dying to go back), and Guinness is definitely Ireland's beer.Guinness was also one of the first beers I managed to get my hands on, and despite what some told me would happen, I loved my first pint. It was smooth and velvety with a creamy head and a light flavor that had just a hint of coffee-like bitterness, and not to mention the seemingly unique blackness. I was just getting my first glimpses into a new world; beer was good and Guinness was good. It wasn't too bitter or too heavy or like eating a loaf of bread as I had been told, and I still believe that those are simply myths. A good pint of Guinness (go for on-tap) has a wonderfully smooth mouth feel and a light but interesting flavor.
Of course, Guinness goes well with your St. Patty's staple dishes, Corn beef and cabbage or shepherd's pie. Stout and oysters is a classic British pairing; I'm fully planning to try this pairing as soon as the opportunity arises.
If you, God forbid, drank that abomination "green beer" this St. Patrick's day, next year don't make this mistake. Instead, reach for Guinness, the true Irish beer (or at least get a Harp).
"A bottle of whiskey at his feet
and a barrel of porter at his head
Whack fol the dah now dance to yer partner
round the flure yer trotters shake
Bend an ear to the truth they tell ye,
we had lots of fun at Finnegan's Wake
Mickey Maloney ducked his head
when a bucket of whiskey flew at him
It missed, and falling on the bed,
the liquor scattered over Tim
Now the spirits new life gave the corpse, my joy!
Tim jumped like a Trojan from the bed
Cryin will ye walup each girl and boy,
t'underin' Jaysus, do ye think I'm dead?"
- Finnegan's Wake (Irish song)
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