Column: St. Patrick’s Day is Almost Here

By Jeb Fiorita and Peter Olson

March is a month that is greatly underrated. We see it as the gateway to Spring. The weather gets a little warmer and the days a bit longer. There is another reason we look forward to March…maybe the luck of the Irish? Or could it be that Irish cooking shows start to pick up on late night T.V.? Well, when there is an Irish cooking show, there is whiskey and beer.

If there was another country we would like to visit Ireland would be our top choice. And on March 17th we all get to experience a little bit of Ireland…the culture, the music & dancing, the food and of course the beer and spirits. What a great time of year to focus on two exports from our island friends to the east…beer and whiskey.

Now when we think beer from Ireland, we most likely go to Guinness. Their first beer was a dry stout dating back to 1759, St. James Gate Brewery in Dublin Ireland. You can not mistake the perfectly poured from the tap glass of Guinness with its dark color, rich taste of malted barley and iconic creamy head. Today, Val’s offers Guinness Extra Stout and Draught stout. The best way to enjoy these traditional beers is in a glass, leaving about ¾ of an inch of head at the top.

Would you be surprised to read that Guinness is NOT the number one beer consumed in Ireland. That honor would fall to Smithwick’s Red Ale. This brewery was founded in 1710, Kilkenny Ireland. And acquired by Guinness in 1965. This draught has a distinct red hue, brewed using mild hops, sweet malt and roasted barley. On the palate you will notice a caramel finish with hints of the sweet light malt and toasted grain.

Beer is not the only beverage of choice on this festive day. From the county of Tipperary comes Magners Irish Cider. First brewed in 1937, this Irish Cider has quickly gained a solid following both in Ireland and here in the states. Magners is loaded with intense citrus and fruit flavors and aromas. 17 apple varieties are used in its creation. There is a medium sweet taste, light in color and crisp finish.

Did someone ask about Jameson Irish Whiskey? You did not think I was going to write about Irish beverages and NOT mention Jameson? This was my first encounter with exports from Ireland. Credit goes to Mrs. Thieme in Wisconsin back in 1991 for our introduction to this wonderful whiskey…mixed with coffee. Later in life we would come to enjoy this on the rocks at a local pub and in a flask on the slopes of Colorado and Vermont. History time…Jameson was founded in 1780 in Dublin (by a Scotsman John Jameson) and is produced with a blend of grain whiskey and single pot still whiskey using a mixture of malted and unmalted Irish barley. Jameson is distilled three times in copper stills, the result being an exceptionally smooth finish. The color along with notes of vanilla and toasted wood come from the three-year aging process in American and Spanish oak casks that were originally used in producing bourbon. Is Jameson the only Irish Whiskey? Of course not. Here are some more for your tasting pleasure.

McConnell’s Irish whiskey has been distilled in Belfast since 1776. Blended from Iris malts and grain whiskey and aged five years in Bourbon casks gives this whiskey a sweet taste with a finish of vanilla and almond. Tullamore D.E.W. is a triple distilled Irish whiskey having its origins dating back to 1829 in Tullamore. You will find this whiskey a little sweeter than Jameson. Slane is a triple cask, blended and matured in virgin oak casks, seasoned whiskey casks and Oloroso sherry cask, whiskey with notes of vanilla, banana, butterscotch, dried stone fruits and subtle baking spice. A relatively new player in the Irish Whiskey market, when compared to Jameson, McConnell’s etc., you will thoroughly enjoy this blend. Some honorable mentions are Redbreast (estb. 1912 in Dublin), Bushmills (estb. 1608 in Village of Bushmills) and Glendalough (2011, Newtownmountkennedy).

Finally, let’s not forget Bailey’s Irish Cream. What a great way to start the festive day…with Bailey’s and coffee! Bailey’s Irish Cream was first developed in 1971 and is a combination of cream, cocoa and whiskey. Whether you are drinking on the rocks or in a coffee, this is delicious way to enjoy the day.

On March 17th, everyone is a little bit Irish. We take in the festivities, paint a shamrock on our cheek or dye our hair green. Some may where a shirt saying “Kiss me I am Irish”. You may be first in line at Tiernan’s, Tigin, Fiddler’s Green or Murphy’s Pub or maybe sitting at home with friends enjoying the beer and spirits mentioned in this article. Wherever the day may find you, please enjoy the day responsibly.

Jeb is the owner of Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors. Peter is the General Manager of Val’s Wines, Spirits & Crafts in Stamford.

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