Today, there are more people claiming Irish heritage in North America than there are people living in Ireland, according to the most recent census data. As a result, people in this country love St. Patrick’s Day.
For students, this means dressing in multiple shades of green and day drinking for the sake of day drinking. For bar owners, this means pubs spilling with people from the moment they can legally serve alcohol.
The first place for most revellers to visit is the storied Heart and Crown in Byward Market. The pub-with-a-club-identity-crisis is seemingly omnipresent, with small bars attached to bigger ones, running endlessly through the city block.
Nearly every St. Patrick’s Day is met with a lineup before the bar opens early in the morning, and stays that way into the night.
“Last year, we had a lineup from 8 a.m. when we opened, and were at capacity by 10 a.m.,” says Jordan Veenstra, who manages Heart and Crown’s second location on Preston Street. “It gets absolutely crazy.”
It’s important to note that last year’s St. Patrick’s Day was a Sunday, when upstanding citizens had the day off and could manage to drink throughout the entire day. This year it fell on a Monday, meaning the day itself could be somewhat overlooked by those concerned with the working realities of everyday life.
“The weekend overall was a little bit busier,” says MJ Hodgins, owner of Patty’s Pub on Bank Street and Ashton Brew Pub. “But St. Patrick’s Day will definitely be way better than a normal Monday, so it all kind of works out.”
As anyone would expect, the top sellers on the holiday are Guinness and Kilkenny, with easy-drinking, light beers not far behind, according to Hodgins. This suggests people who arrive tend to drink nearly all day, meaning beers that will leave them full and bloated a few hours in won’t do them any good.
In a province like Ontario, with its deep Irish heritage, it’s no surprise that local breweries can produce fantastic Irish-style beers. I’ve added some recommendations for Ontario beer brewed in an Irish style. Next year, when you find yourself at the beer store or at the bar and balk at the idea of paying up for imported beer, these should do just fine.
Lake of Bays Sparkhouse Red
Easily my favourite red ale on the market, this beer is made in a style similar to Smithwick’s Red Ale. It has a dense, malty flavour and colourful head with just enough hops to remind you that it’s made in North America. Available at the Rideau Street LCBO.
Mill Street Cobblestone Stout
I expect a certain amount of backlash for saying this, but I much prefer this Torontonian stout to Guinness. Made in a very similar fashion to Guinness, the beer has a more toasted flavour without being too heavy. Unlike Guinness, where the first taste on your tongue is frequently creamy and somewhat tasteless, Cobblestone delivers through the entire gulp. What was once only found on draught at a few scattered pubs is now available at almost any LCBO, and Mike’s Place on campus.
Spirit Tree Draught Cider
Yes, the Irish make cider too—Magners is the most famous—but considering that its most important ingredient is abundant in Ontario, it only makes sense that we make it a bit better. Spirit Tree is among my favourites, as it greets you with a dry taste and avoids the sodapop carbonation that can be off-putting with some brands. It can also be notoriously hard to find, but there are a few cases still for sale at the Rideau Street LCBO.
