It's that time of the year again when the beer flows green and it seems like the world is suddenly Irish. An entire month of parades and decorations all leading up to one drunken mess. While the amateurs sip their overpriced Guinness the pro's or seasoned vets of the WBOB Liquid Lunch team have a few less stereotypical suggestions to help you celebrate the occasion. Joe Ferro - Fox & Ferro Ah my month of March. I call it mine as I was born on Saint Joseph's day and being so close to Saint Patrick's day I usually take over the whole weekend. I'm not much of an Irish or Italian beer guy. However I do prefer some good ole Irish whiskey and I also love to cook with some Irish beer. Nothing like grabbing a 4 pack of Guinness and replacing some of the water or beef broth in a beef stew with a can. Now what to do with those 3 other cans? While the stew is simmering in the crock-pot I just break out the shot glasses, Jameson and Bailey's for some Irish car bombs to finish off the rest of that Guinness. Half and half of Bailey's and Whiskey in the shot glass, half pint, or 3/4 depending on your chug skills, of Guinness, drop the shot in and chug. Tastes like coffee milk and gets ya feeling oh so good. Then on Saint Joseph's day while I recover from my weekend, my pairing with a couple of zeppole, is a small shot of Sambuca with a couple of espresso beans you know just for the spirit of things. Josh Fortin - NEWBD When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, I don’t change my drinking patterns really at all. Sure, I’ll have the obligatory Jameson shot or pint of Guinness...but I’ve never been a huge green beer guy. Maybe it’s because I don’t have any Irish heritage, or maybe it’s because I think it’s weird to put food coloring in a beer - I’m not sure, but at this point in my life it is what it is. However, one Irish beer that I can truly say has had a big impact on my life is Killian’s Irish Red. By most standards, this is not a great beer - but then again, it’s not a shit beer either. And to be honest, this beer has some real nostalgia tied to it for me. When I was in my early 20s (seemingly forever ago), my friends and I would meet at the local Pizzeria UNO’s for $1.99 Killian’s 22oz drafts and cheap appetizers. Sometimes on a Tuesday, sometimes on a Saturday...sometimes 3 people, sometimes 12 people. No matter how many people showed, it didn’t matter. We would laugh and joke and tell stories for hours, often consuming a beer or two too many before finally wandering outside and getting our girlfriends/sober friends/cousins/etc etc to pick our drunk asses up. No matter what, I could always count on having a good time, sitting in the lounge at UNO’s for hours talking about nothing important. When our Fairhaven UNO’s closed, we were all devastated. You could say our hang out sessions were never the same after that. So even though this beer has never really been about St. Patrick’s Day for me, it is still one Irish beer that has never done me dirty...and I would gladly raise a pint (or a 22oz) of Killian’s with anyone who cares to slum it for a while. Pal - WBOB If you are like me you find the green sloppy droves of drunken idiots an exhibition in amateur play. Much like my colleagues I must admit there is nothing enjoyable, pleasurable or even delectable about corned beef and cabbage. The smell alone is enough to keep you away from the buffet. I am however a fan of the comradery or the overall joyous spirit. I know I directly contradict myself but hear me out. If you insist on socializing, do it while the sun is still high in the sky. The early crowds are generally more of a seasoned drinking crew hence the chance of shenanigans slightly drops. Stick to the traditional Irish taverns and public events and keep moving. Don't stay to long in one spot and most of all whatever you do avoid the dreaded Irish whisky shot. Most taverns and bars substitute the good stuff for a cheaper label in effort to make a buck, and well you get what you pay for. Poor quality booze equals horrible headaches the next day. Stop by early and find yourself a greasy burger joint on the way home. That's the safest way to experience the fun without being pulled into trouble one way or the other. From spilled beer to troubles with the law they all are as St Patrick's day as green beer and stinky cabbage. Enjoy the fun and keep on the run. Read More 990WBOB |
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