So here’s the thing: I’ve been to Ireland. A bunch of times. I’ve even visited St Patrick (Padraig)’s grave (it’s in a little town called Downpatrick, where a friend of mine owns a used book shop). I’ve drank Guinness from the brewery, sat and listened to a traditional session in a pub called Oliver St John Gogarty’s in Temple Bar, eaten oysters with Guinness at the Crown Liquor Saloon, stood on the Giant’s Causeway and crossed the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. This means I’m more Irish then most people who celebrate St Paddy’s, even though I’m not at all Irish.
Left to Right: Stripes, Me, The Missus, Mel @ The Gravity Bar
So what does a non-irish irishmen do for St Paddy’s? Well, he drinks a lot of beer (and maybe some whiskey), plays some traditional music, and eats some traditional food. The best part is, I’m going to kill most of those birds with one stone.
Tonight I’ll bring you my review of Paddy’s Irish Red Ale from Trafalgar Ales and Meads. Tomorrow I will post my review of Stonewall Stout from The Publican House Brewery, and will be visiting Ceili Cottage (oh yes!) where I will sit in on the open session (playing my mandolin, badly), drink some beer (Guinness), and probably whiskey (ideally Bushmills, though Jameson will do), and eat some food (one stone, you’ll note). Wednesday, I’ll be making Fish and Chips, and probably Champ for the family (incidentally, it will all be gluten/dairy free, as Erika is acting like a hippy for two weeks. I’ll post the recipes with a success rating, if you’re interested). I might then slip out for a pint or few, once everyone is in bed. Then I will be gearing up for the Beer and Cheese tasting at Castro’s on Sunday.
Phew. What a week. I might need to act like a hippy for a few weeks, just to get my liver to talk to me again.
Come hang out:
http://www.ceilicottage.com/
If you want to drink beer and eat cheese at Castro’s ($40, starts at 4pm Sunday), let me know, and I’ll make sure we’ve got enough for you.
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