Comments on: St Patrick’s Day 101

By: Dave Neary

Dave Neary — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:56:59 +0000

When I was growing up & serving pints in a pub, “black & tan” or “half & half” were both acceptable. Althoughh in my neck of the woods, a pint of special (smithwicks with a guinness head) was more popular. In England a “Mickey Mouse” is a half of lager, half of bitter, if you’re into that sort of thing.

For the whiskies, worth mentioning the luxury ones too – if you’re splashing out, Middleton’s Rare will set you back a fair bit, but Connemara, Kilbeggan, Redbreast & Green Spot are all a mighty whiskey. And you didn’t mention Bushmills either – Black Bush (Bushmills black label) or Bushmills 10yo are also worthy shots. And Power’s Gold Label is the best bang per buck you’ll get.

Throw in a bit o’ the Saw Doctors too for the rural memorabilia of it all. And you forgot Thin Lizzy’s Whiskey in the Jar and Rory Gallagher too.

All in all, good job, all the same.

Dave.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:08:08 +0000

God bless you with the “Half & Half” info. Nothing drives me more batty than bartenders, who should really know better, trying to tell me I’m wrong on that. Don’t even get me started on those who say that Guinness should be paired with Bass.

By: tecosystems » Guest Post: St Patrick’s Day Music Recommendations, By The Lawyer

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:06:08 +0000

[...] na Féile Pádraig! Together with Steve’s excellent primer on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, we offer up the following selection of Irish/Celtic musicians and tunes needed to host your very [...]

By: Rafe

Rafe — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:43:16 +0000

On St Patrick’s day it has to be 100% Guinness.

By: sogrady

sogrady — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:12:09 +0000

@Rafe: it is true, generally, that a Half and Half refers to Guiness/Harp, but the better bartenders out there are aware of the unfortunate naming issue and will ask which version of the half and half you prefer, Bass or Guiness.

on St Patrick’s Day, i’d advise Harp, but YMMV.

By: Rafe

Rafe — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:06:01 +0000

My understanding has always been (and Wikipedia confirms it) that a “Black and Tan” refers to a half Guinness/half Bass concoction, whereas the “Half and Half” refers to Guinness and Harp as you mention. The naming conflict with the paramilitary unit with the same nickname is unfortunate, but that does not change the fact that Guinness Bass is more delicious than Guinness Harp.

So in British pubs I’ll stick with the Black and Tan, and in Irish pubs I’ll go with straight Guinness.

By: Neil Bartlett

Neil Bartlett — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:27:49 +0000

Bushmills or Jamesons? Hmm, can you not get hold of Redbreast in the US?

By: Edward O'Connor

Edward O'Connor — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:42:40 +0000

“Isn’t it grand, boys?” is a personal favorite, though it lacks much in the way of Wikipedia linkability, so don’t expect it to show up in the series next year.

By: sogrady

sogrady — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:21:15 +0000

@David Churbuck: aw shucks. it was just a little st pat’s post

anyway, a list of my favorite Irish Pubs in Boston is an excellent idea. i might even need to revisit some of them for…research

By: sogrady

sogrady — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:17:52 +0000

@Glynn Foster: you’re right, should have acknowledged the “d” pronounciation. and a belated happy st pat’s to you as well, sir