Oktoberfest is a month-long celebration of beer, but theres no single day dedicated to beer in all its glory like March 17: St. Patricks Day. Along with wearing green and pretending youre Irish no matter what your ancestry, as a home brewer you can whip up a special batch of your own brew to honor the St. Patricks Day traditions.
Making any beer green is easy (only one drop of green food coloring per pint required), but to truly honor the holiest of beer holidays you should really be working with one of the many fine bona fide Irish beer styles.
Note that the lighter your St. Patricks Day brew is, the easier it will be to see its green tint. But we must say that darker beers with heavy green foam look pretty cool, too!
Staple Irish Beers
Here are some beer styles that reflect the spirit of St. Patricks Day:
Stout
The most obvious answer to the question of, What beer is the most Irish? is an Irish or traditional stout similar to a Guinness. That is certainly true because of the stouts roots in Ireland, and a stout brewed at home can be just as good as (or better than) one bought from the store.
Irish Red Ale
Irish red ales have a slight tint of amber red color in every glass thanks to a touch of roasted barley. The best examples of this popular Irish style of beer include Smithwicks and Killians, both of which can be easily replicated in time for St. Patricks Day.
Irish Lager
Irish lagers are fairly light in color, making them a primary candidate for green coloring. Irish lagers such as Harp, are very versatile because of their light feel and crisp finish that compliments whatever weather St. Patricks Day throws your way. This is definitely a beer style that can be enjoyed by a diverse crowd.
All three of these beers are great candidates for your next beer making kit endeavors. Just remember to enjoy St. Patricks Day responsibly, with a home brew!
