St. Patrick’s Day honors the man himself so how did beer become part of the day designated to honoring the saint? St. Patrick’s Day occurs during Lent, which means that Catholics could disregard the restrictions of the Lenten period for that one day of feasts and celebrations in honor of St. Patrick. It was a day people could let loose and that's how drinking beer became linked to the holiday! 

Guinness® Draught Stout, Murphy’s Irish Stout, Smithwick’s™ Red Ale, Harp™ Lager, and Kilkenny™ Irish Cream Ale are some of the most popular Irish beers but Irish ciders (like Magners Original Irish Cider and Longueville House Cider) have also become popular. We can’t forget about green beer either! Consumed by both Irish and Americans, it’s simply made by adding a drop of green food coloring to a light-colored beer.

Don't discount Irish beer simply because you aren't a beer drinker … because it’s great for cooking! When you think of Irish beer, stout is what often comes to mind. It's black and dry tasting with toasty coffee and/or chocolate flavors. It contains less alcohol despite its robust appearance and is perfect for cooking desserts but adaptable enough to flavor anything from stews to shellfish. Here are a few delicious recipes that feature Irish beer as an ingredient (serve to adults only):