Hoist Your Glass for St. Patrick's Day

Beannachtam na Feile Padraig! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! If you’re Irish – or at least Irish-at-heart – then March 17 is probably one of your favorite days of the year. A great chance to break away from the winter doldrums and celebrate the coming spring, St. Patrick’s Day is all about good food, great drink, and spending time with friends, whether it’s at your favorite Irish restaurant or pub or at the home of a friend or family member.

The Mystery of St. Pat

No one actually knows a whole lot about St. Patrick, his life, and what drove him to become a priest and then one of the world’s most committed Christian missionaries. It is known, however, that this 5th century religious man’s job wasn’t easy. He met with plenty of opposition and a fair amount of violence, according to scholars, but he prevailed. Thirteen centuries later, in 1737, St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in Boston, though not in Ireland. The first parade marking the holiday happened in NYC in 1766. Now, it’s celebrated worldwide.

The Day When Everyone is Irish

And what do all those Irish want to eat that day? Corned beef and cabbage, of course! And with that corned beef you’ll want to enjoy plenty of foamy stuff. So, what kind of beer goes best with a hearty plate of corned beef and all the trimmings, including a nice healthy chunk of Irish soda bread?
Why not think Irish? Some experts in pairing beer and wine with food prescribe to the adage that says: “If it grows together, it goes together.” But don’t automatically think Guinness is the only choice. Beer aficionados know that there are many wonderful Irish brews that’ll fit the bill on St. Patty’s Day. For example, how about an Irish Red Ale? A good contrast to the saltiness of the corned beef, it’s a little bit sweet and a little hoppy with a tea-like flavor. Some are rather caramel tasting as well. Consider Murphy’s Irish Red Beer – straight from the mother country or a hearty pint o' stout.
Of course, no one says you can’t have a little wine with your corned beef as well. Limit your beer intake and you can also indulge in a glass or two (or three, or four) of wine that works well with meat dishes like this one. Of course, technically, the Irish aren’t known for their wines though they were listed in 2000 as a “wine producer” by the European Commission. Nonetheless, there are plenty of good domestic varieties that’ll add a little extra Erin to your Go Brach! A fruity wine is a good contrast to the salty, sourness of the corned beef and cabbage. Perhaps choose a Zinfandel, such as Angel Vine from the Columbia Valley, which offers flavors like black pepper, baking spices, bright red berries, cola, and cherries. Or a smooth red blend like Crush from The Dreaming Tree (careful, you might find a leprauchan under that tree!).

Raise Your Glass and Make a Toast

Raise your glass – and whatever’s in it – with a traditional Irish toast. Here are a few lighthearted ones your friends will love:
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow
than to spend tonight like there's no money!
Here's to being single...
Drinking doubles...
And seeing triple!

Author Susie Hindle Kher is the unofficial Wine Muse at LetsPour, a social deals site for wine and beer lovers. She also is a lover of all things wine, food and caviar. When not writing about wine and beer, she can be found in her barn with her two goats, a flock of chickens, barn kitties and her dog, Tess.