What Craft Beers Do Brewers Drink for St Patrick’s Day?

When March 17 rolls around, most casual beer drinkers reach for green-dyed lagers or the iconic black-and-white pint. But what do the brewers drink for St Patrick’s Day?

These are the people who spend their days behind the mash tun. They know that the world of Irish-inspired craft beer goes much deeper than a single brand. For them, St Patrick’s Day is a celebration of brewing heritage, technical balance, and the perfect session pint. Here’s what the pros are actually pouring when the shamrocks come out.

How Do You Drink Like a Brewer for St Patrick’s Day?

Brewers skip the gimmicky green-dyed lagers for St Patrick’s Day, instead prioritizing malt quality and pour precision. They typically choose high-quality dry Irish stouts for their roasty, chocolate notes, or authentic Irish red ales for their dry, biscuit-like finish. For a more modern craft approach, look for nitro-poured beers or whiskey barrel-aged stouts that celebrate Ireland’s spirit heritage.

Why Does the Dry Irish Stout Rule the Brewer’s Pint?

While Guinness is the global ambassador of Irish stout, craft brewers appreciate the style for its technical challenges. It’s a “naked” beer style, meaning there are no heavy hops or high alcohol to hide any flaws. Brewers look for a version that nails the roasty but not burnt profile.

A true craft dry stout features a more pronounced coffee and dark chocolate backbone than many of the mass-market options. Brewers drink this style of beer for St Patrick’s Day for the sessionability. Usually sitting between 4% and 5% ABV, it allows for a long afternoon of celebration without creating heavy palate fatigue.

Can An Authentic Irish Red Ale Change Your Mind About Malt?

The Irish red ale is often viewed as a “maltier lager”, but brewers know better. On St Patrick’s Day, they look for reds that lean into the traditional use of roasted barley, which provides that signature reddish hue and a dry, biscuit-like finish.

When brewers drink a red ale for St Patrick’s Day, they’re looking for balance. They want a beer with a toasted bread aroma and a subtle earthy hop bitterness. These brews are the ultimate food beer and pair perfectly with corned beef and cabbage.

Why is the Irish-Style Nitro Pour a Craft Favorite?

If there’s one thing brewers love, it’s mouthfeel. A nitro stout or nitro red’s velvet-smooth texture is a marvel of engineering. Many craft breweries now release seasonal nitro-cans or kegs specifically for March.

Brewers often opt for a nitro milk stout or even a nitro porter for a bit more complexity. The tiny nitrogen bubbles don’t just look cool cascading down the glass – they soften the acidity of the roasted malts to make the beer incredibly creamy. If you see a local nitro tap at your nearest Growler Guys, that’s where the off-duty brewers will be gathered.

Are There Non-Green Lagers Brewers Drink for St Patrick’s Day?

Not every brewer wants to drink a heavy, dark beer for St Patrick’s Day. Many opt for Irish-style lagers. This isn’t your standard American light beer. These are often modeled after Euro pale lagers like Harp, but with a craft focus on high-quality pilsner malts and a clean, crisp finish.

Brewers appreciate a well-made lager because it’s refreshing during a busy festival day. A craft blonde ale or Irish pale lager has a floral, slightly honeyed malt profile that cuts through the richness of traditional Irish pub fare like shepherd’s pie.

Are Barrel-Aged Specialties the Ultimate Connoisseur’s Choice?

For the brewer looking to take St Patrick’s Day up a notch, whiskey barrel-aged stouts are the gold standard. Ireland is as famous for its whiskey as it is for its beer, and craft brewers love to marry the two.

A heavy Imperial stout aged in Irish whiskey barrels brings notes of vanilla and oak, along with a smooth, boozy warmth that mimics a half-and-half (whiskey and beer) in a single glass. It’s a complex profile of fruit and dark toasted wood that you just won’t find in a standard pint. These are slow sippers meant for the end of the night.

Drink Like a Brewer This St Patrick’s Day at The Growler Guys

Brewers drink for the craft, not the color. While the rest of the world is chasing green foam, the pros are saving the precise bitterness of a dry stout or the complex toasted notes of a heritage red ale.

Celebrating St Patrick’s Day at your local Growler Guys? Ask our certified Beer Stewards for a pour that showcases malt complexity or that perfect, creamy nitro cascade. Grab a pint, flight, or growler fill, and sláinte to the luck of the Irish!