St. Patrick’s Day is best known for green beer, Guinness, parades, and day-drinking festivities. But have you ever wondered where these traditions come from? Believe it or not, the history behind St. Patrick’s Day tells us a lot about the origins of these traditions and how they came to be what they are today. Servicing the Greater Lehigh Valley community, Banko Beverage Co is here to talk about the history behind St. Patrick’s Day and Guinness beer.
The History of St. Patrick’s Day
We can’t talk about St. Patrick’s Day without first mentioning the person who started it all: Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick was born in Great Britain, relocating to Ireland when he was kidnapped at 16 years old. Although he escaped, he eventually returned to Ireland, bringing Christianity with him. People began to celebrate Saint Patrick for his discovery, forming the holiday we know today as St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day is held annually on March 17, which is the anniversary of Saint Patrick’s death.
St. Patrick’s Day made its way to America during the potato famine, which caused the Irish to escape and move to the United States. Irish immigrants continued to celebrate this holiday despite backlash from the American people due to their difference in religious beliefs. Eventually, St. Patrick’s Day became a popular tradition and a celebrated holiday in American culture.
Why Do We Drink On St. Patrick’s Day?
Now that we’ve gotten through the history, you’re probably wondering where the traditions of drinking, Guinness, and green beer come from. Well, the answer lies in the older days, when St. Patrick’s Day was first created. Around this time, Ireland had restrictions placed on alcohol consumption and sale. People were also not allowed to eat meat because of the Christian season called Lent. However, these restrictions were lifted for one day during Lent: St. Patrick’s Day. This is where the long-standing tradition of drinking on this holiday originated.
About Guinness Beer
St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a savory glass of Guinness. But have you ever wondered why Guinness is such a staple of the holiday? Arthur Guinness created the St. James’s Gate Brewery, signing a 9,000-year lease for the building. He originally dabbled in making ale but began producing a popular beer called porter. Porter was rising in popularity around Dublin at the time, and soon, Arthur Guinness decided to only brew porter. Now, Guinness is one of the most popular beers, making their brand stand out in Irish culture.
The Guinness brand has also made its mark with its widget device, the small, plastic ball that sits in a Guinness beer can. If you’re a beer connoisseur, you may already know what this device is. But if you’re unfamiliar, a widget is used to keep beer tasting fresh and right from the tap – no matter when you drink it. The plastic ball contains a small hole that traps pressurized nitrogen from the canning process. Once someone opens the can, it releases the nitrogen gas, creating fresh bubbles and a great taste. Many brands of beer now use this innovative piece.
Porters Vs. Stouts
Before heading out for a drink on St. Patrick’s Day, you should know that there are two kinds of Guinness beer: porters and stouts. While they are relatively the same in terms of color and scent, some beer lovers believe that stouts have a unique flavor that mimics coffee. Porters come in many different varieties, including:
- American
- English
- Baltic
- Brown
- Robust
Similarly, stouts also come in different varieties, such as:
- American
- Irish/Dry
- English
- Foreign/Export
Stouts differ from porters because they also come in different styles within these varieties. This is based on the flavor characteristics of the beer.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day With Banko Beverage Co
Having served many local businesses to the Allentown, PA area, we are here to show our support this St. Patrick’s Day. We will be supplying our pubs and restaurants with the most popular St. Patrick’s Day drinks this year, including Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Stout, Magners Irish Cider, and other beverages by popular brands like Guinness Draft, Yuengling, and Miller Brewing.
We are also sponsoring many festivities throughout the coming weeks in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, and we are proud to be a part of many events, including:
- The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Allentown, PA
- The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Scranton, PA
- Sláinte in Bethlehem, PA
- March Madness events
If you have questions about our Guinness beer and other products, contact us at Banko Beverage Co today.