St. Patrick's Day is one of those wonderful beer-drinking holidays, like Mardi Gras or Purim (which might not be beer-drinking holidays to everyone but should be). Under no circumstances, however, should you ever drink anything dyed green, no matter how many glasses in. Hoist a pint of Guinness, sure, or a Murphy's Irish Stout or Killian's Irish Red — the classics. Or you might consider one of these alternative brews worth your time, no matter your flavor preference or whether you're in Ireland or San Francisco. Because this Saturday, we'll all be drinking a lot. It might as well be good.
The Breakfast Beer: Dogfish Head Aprihop
You'll need something to kick this holiday off. This is no ordinary fruit-infused beer — Delaware's Dogfish Head uses real apricots to complement a huge hoppiness that rivals its signature 60 Minute IPA. Consider it oat alternative.
The Lunchtime Beer: Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro
Colorado's Left Hand Brewing Co. has figured out a way to make its beloved Milk Stout even better: by creating a unique bottle that allows the beer to be carbonated by nitrogen. That's the same thing those little widgets in bottles and cans of Guinness do, except Left Hand managed to do it without a widget. The result? A creamy head of foam and a silky, slightly sweet beer that's perfect when paired with salty corned beef and braised cabbage.
The Red Beer: Boulevard Irish Ale
Roasted barley malt helps create the red-amber hue of traditional Irish-style red ales. This version, from Kansas City's Boulevard Brewing Co., is a standout, with flavors of caramel, toffee, and freshly baked bread.
The Dark Beer: Bell's Kalamazoo Stout
Bell's Kalamazoo Stout is bold and robust in the American craft-beer sense, not in the traditional Irish style like Guinness, but it's no worse off for it. It's like a shot of Italian espresso. And some additional brewer's licorice gives it an especially bitter edge.
The "Green" Beer: Bison Organic Honey Basil Ale
Because, seriously, food coloring is not okay. Bison Brewing, from Berkeley, Calif., is a leader in organic beer with an initiative to reduce its carbon footprint. That's all fine and good, but how's the beer? Excellent, as it turns out. The year-round Honey Basil is a little sweet and a little herbal. Don't pour it in the river.
The Boston Beer: Samuel Adams Irish Red
The city knows how to celebrate St. Patrick's, there's no doubt. And so does the Boston Beer Co., which since 2007 has made this hallmark example of an Irish-style red ale. Earthy English hops balance the beer's nutty-sweet malt backbone. You could make it your go-to for the whole day.
The Chicago Beer: Half Acre Daisy Cutter
Brimming with orange-citrusy hops. And it comes in a 16-ounce can, making it parade-proof.
The New York Beer: Ommegang Witte
A New York-y, Belgian-style witbier on a day meant to celebrate an Irish saint? Just go with it. The perennial medal-winner is endlessly enjoyable in warm weather, and you don't even need an orange slice as garnish.
The San Francisco Beer: Anchor Old Foghorn
"Old" represents the English barleywine style after which this beer is modeled, and "Foghorn" is a nod to the city that is Anchor Brewing Co.'s home base. This beer is malty yet hoppy, bitter yet sweet, beefy yet refined. English, and yet not English at all.
The Across-the-Pond Beer: Belhaven Scottish Ale
In case you really need to broaden your horizons. A distinct but not overwhelming burnt-sugar sweetness distinguishes the UK-brewed ale. You can find it here in America in bottles, but be on the lookout for bars and bottle shops that offer Belhan's nitro-carbonated cans or drafts. The smooth bubbles add an extra dimension of enjoyment.
The Bedtime Beer: Schlafly Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Bourbon barrels have to be discarded after one use, which is good news for brewers like the St. Louis Brewery, maker of Schlafly beer. They buy up the oak and use it to age their potent imperial stout. This version explodes with flavors of oak, vanilla, chocolate, and booze. A perfect way to say goodnight.
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