While some of you were out celebrating this weekend, the die-hards know that St. Patrick’s Day is actually on Tuesday. You could grab yourself a gross green-colored beer. But why don’t you check out something more interesting? I asked four of the top beer influencers in Metro Detroit for their non-green beer St. Paddy’s Day selections. You will notice some favorites across the pack.

Joe Hakim, Principal of The Hungry Dudes

Joe is the driving force behind the famous Detroit Food Site, The Hungry Dudes. Provided 4 selections and a bit of background on each.

• – Milkking It Productions, Brik Irish-Style Red Ale – Brik is that buddy who never goes out, but when he does it’s always a good time. Brik is always around but really easy to gloss over. It’s a drinkable red ale that . Always consistent, pairs well with food, and totally sessionable, Brik is your entry level non-green Irish style beer and at just a bit over 5%, you can drink it all St. Paddy’s Day and not be falling face first on the street.
• – Great Lakes Brew Company, Conway Irish Ale – Consider Conway Brik’s big brother. Where Brik is light bodied and easy drinking, Conway is fuller bodied and should be consumed a little slower. With the heavier malt profile, this beer should be savored. Maybe not as much as a barrel aged stout, but it definitely shouldn’t be chugged like some random green light beer.
• – Arbor Brewing Company, Michael Faricy’s Stout – Guinness is known as THE Irish stout and with good reason – it has an incredible international presence. However, I’ve never been happy with Guinness’s flavor. Luckily, the Irish stout style is well represented around Michigan. Michael Faricy’s stout is a lighter bodied stout with excellent flavor. Coffee and chocolate dominate the flavor profile but give way to a dry, pleasant finish. One of the most interesting attitudes towards stouts is their unfortunate connection with Guinness – not all stouts are Guinness.
• – Short’s Brewing Company, Moher Export Irish Imperial Stout – This year Short’s decided not to bottle Uncle Steve’s Irish Stout (though it will be available on draught). Instead, Moher is available. As far as Imperial stouts go, the 9.7% ABV is right in line with what you’d expect. However, while drinking it I noticed there wasn’t the same overwhelming heaviness that some stouts exhibit instead the alcohol provides a comforting warmth while the beer somehow remains somewhat light on the palate.

Bobby Vedder, Certified Cicerone of Powers Distributing Co. 

The major beer distributor of the area is Powers Distributing and they are lucky enough to have Bobby Vedder on staff who is a certified Cicerone (trained beer guy). He recommended 6 beers; 3 Old World and 3 New World.

Old World:

• – Guinness – This is the iconic dry Irish stout, from Dublin, Ireland.
• – Harp – For when you want a crisp, clean Irish lager, Harp is the way to go.
• – Smithwick’s – A delicate amber, it is brewed in Kilkenny, Ireland.

New World:

• – North Peak Brewery Sinuous – This Celtic Ale is made in Michigan and is well-balanced with a crisp hop bite at the finish.
• – Right Brain Brewing Co. CEO Stout – This stout is made in the New World tradition, with chocolate and espresso character, lightened up by oatmeal.
• – Vander Mill Cider’s Apple – Because not everyone is into or can have beer. This has a crisp taste to try on St. Patrick’s Day.

Ashley Price, Da Man of Holiday Market Beer 

My go to beer guy at Holiday Market in Royal Oak, Mich. is Ashley. He has his finger on the pulse of the beer world and will tell it like it is. He has 6 recommendations. 3 that are easier to find and 3 that are more craft and select.

Craft Selections:

• – Shorts Moher Stout Double Irish Release  – Recent Release
• – Great Lakes Conway’s Irish Ale
• – Rogue Irish-Style Lager

Easier to Find:

• – Murphy’s Irish Stout
• – Wexford’s Cream Ale
• – Smithwicks

Courtney Ochab Co-Founder/Editor of Detroit Beer Press

Courtney is half of the duo that brings you the monthly Detroit Beer Press magazine. An actual printed beer magazine. Wow!! She gave us the tip on what Kuhnhenn’s is up to this holiday and 4 additional beers.

• Kuhnhenn’s is doing their Annual Breakfast of Champions beers for St. Patrick’s Day. They are featuring the following flavors; Lucky Charms, Captain Crunch, Cocoa Puffs and more.
• Motor City Brewing Works, Corktown Stout – Have you seen Corktown during St. Patrick’s Day???
• Short’s, Uncle Steve’s Irish Stout – Remember Joe Hakim’s tip. Draft only this year.
• Arbor Brewing’s, Michael Faircy’s Irish Stout
• Batch Brewing’s, Dead Irish Writers

Hope that is helpful. Get out there and have some beer drinking fun. Be safe.

Budmo!