St. Patrick’s Day Beer: Brew Your Own Irish Tradition
St. Patrick’s Day and beer go hand in hand. While most people are reaching for a pint of Guinness or whatever green-dyed lager is being poured at the local bar, homebrewers have a unique opportunity—to craft their own perfect St. Paddy’s pint. Whether it’s a smooth, roasty stout or a crisp, malt-forward Irish Red, brewing your own beer for the holiday just makes the celebration better.
At Northwest Brewers Supply, we believe beer is best when it’s fresh, well-made, and shared with good company. That’s why we’re featuring two of our favorite homebrew kits for St. Patrick’s Day: Skagit Stout and Red Tide Irish Red. These are classic, time-tested styles that have defined Irish beer for centuries. The stout is rich, dark, and dry, with a creamy head, while the red ale is smooth, easy-drinking, and a great way to introduce friends to flavorful beer without scaring them off with too much bitterness or heavy hops.
If you want your homebrew ready for March 17, now’s the time to start brewing. In this article, I’ll walk you through what makes these beers special, share some tips on getting them right, and even throw in a few tricks for enjoying St. Patrick’s Day beer the right way—including how to pour a proper Guinness. Whether you’re brewing at home or want to drink better beer this year, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started.
What Makes a Great St. Patrick’s Day Beer?
When people think about St. Patrick’s Day beer, two styles immediately come to mind—Irish Stout and Irish Red Ale. These beers aren’t just popular because they come from Ireland; they’ve stood the test of time because they’re well-balanced, easy-drinking, and full of character without being overwhelming.
Like Guinness or Murphy’s, a classic Irish Stout is dark, dry, and smooth with a creamy head. It has just enough roasted barley to give it that signature coffee-like bitterness, but it finishes crisp and light enough to have more than one. The big misconception about stout is that it’s “too heavy.” In reality, most Irish stouts are lower in alcohol than an IPA and don’t sit nearly as heavy as a thick pastry stout. It’s a perfect session beer—something you can drink all night without it knocking you over.
Irish Red Ale is a different animal but just as essential to the St. Patrick’s Day lineup. It’s malty, slightly sweet, and smooth, with a beautiful deep red color. If your friends usually stick to lighter beers, an Irish Red is a great way to introduce them to a little more flavor without scaring them off with bitterness or hop intensity.
Both of these beers are simple to brew at home, and if you start now, they’ll be in prime condition for St. Paddy’s Day. Whether you’re going for dark and roasty or smooth and malty, you can’t go wrong with either choice.
Brewing the Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Beer at Home
If you want your St. Patrick’s Day beer ready to pour on March 17, now’s the time to brew. Irish Stouts and Red Ales are some of the most straightforward, rewarding beers to make at home. They don’t require complex ingredients, fancy techniques, or months of aging—just good brewing habits and a little patience.
The Skagit Stout Kit makes brewing a classic dry Irish stout easy. The key to nailing this style is roasted barley—it gives the beer its deep color, signature dry finish, and just the right amount of coffee-like bitterness. Ferment it cool, around 65°F, to keep the flavors crisp and clean. Give it a couple of weeks in the bottle or keg, and you’ll have a smooth, creamy stout ready for St. Paddy’s Day.
For a maltier, more approachable option, our Red Tide Irish Red Kit delivers a beautifully balanced Irish Red Ale. This one is all about the malt—caramel and biscuit flavors with just a touch of roast for depth. Keep your fermentation temperature steady, and you’ll end up with a smooth, clean beer perfect for sharing.
Both styles are forgiving and beginner-friendly. If you’re new to brewing, they’re great beers. If you’re experienced, they’re fun to tweak and dial in. Either way, you’ll have a fresh, homemade beer for the holiday—nothing beats that.
Beyond Brewing: Enjoying Your St. Patrick’s Day Beer
Once your St. Patrick’s Day beer is ready, the next step is enjoying it the right way. Whether you brewed your own or picked up a classic Irish beer, a little know-how ensures you get the best possible pint.
Let’s start with properly pouring a Guinness (or any stout) from a can. Most people crack it open and dump it in a glass, but if you want that signature creamy head, there’s a right way to do it. First, use a clean, dry pint glass. Open the can and tip it into the pint glass. As the beer pours out, begin lifting the can, keeping it just below its surface. Once the can is empty, wait the requisite 119.5 seconds for the nitrogen to rise into the head. Enjoy the show while you wait. Now that you have been patient, you can savor your pint. Expect some nice lacing in the glass while you sip.
Back to homebrewing
Now, let’s talk about when to drink an Irish Stout. Most people associate dark beers with winter, but a properly brewed stout is a fantastic year-round beer. It’s lower in alcohol than most craft beers, lighter-bodied than people expect, and pairs well with everything from oysters to burgers. Don’t let the color fool you—it’s not a heavy, filling beer.
And if you’re introducing friends to craft beer, Irish Red Ale is a perfect gateway. It’s smooth, slightly sweet, and easy to drink without the bitterness of an IPA or the richness of a stout; an excellent option for anyone looking to expand their beer horizons this St. Patrick’s Day.
Celebrate Like a Brewer
Drinking St. Patrick’s Day beer is one thing—celebrating like a brewer takes it up a notch. Whether you brew your own or just appreciate a well-made pint, there are plenty of ways to improve your St. Paddy’s celebration.
First, let’s talk food pairings. Irish Stout and Irish Red Ale are both incredibly food-friendly. A dry stout like our Skagit Stout pairs beautifully with rich, hearty dishes like shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, or a classic Irish stew. The roastiness of the stout cuts through fatty, savory flavors, making each bite better than the last. On the other hand, Red Tide Irish Red is perfect with grilled meats, roasted chicken, or even fish and chips. The malt sweetness balances salty, crispy foods, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Want to make things even more fun? Host a St. Patrick’s Day beer tasting. If you brewed an Irish Stout and an Irish Red, line them up and compare flavors. Grab a few commercial examples of each style and see how yours stacks up. Add some Irish cheese and soda bread to the mix, and you’ve got a tasting party that’s way better than just drinking whatever green beer the bars are pouring!
The key to celebrating like a brewer? Start now. If you want your homebrew ready for St. Patrick’s Day, get brewing this week! There’s nothing better than raising a glass to your hard work on March 17.
Raise a Glass: Brew It Yourself and Make This St. Paddy’s the Best Yet!
St. Patrick’s Day is always better with great beer, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by raising a pint of something you brewed yourself. Whether it’s a classic dry stout or a smooth, malty Irish Red, having a homebrew ready to pour on March 17 adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the holiday.
If you haven’t brewed yet, now’s the time. Skagit Stout and Red Tide Irish Red are simple, reliable recipes that deliver big flavor without much fuss. They’re forgiving styles, meaning you don’t have to be a brewing expert to get them right, and they ferment quickly enough to be ready for the big day.
“This month, both our Skagit Stout and Red Tide Irish Red kits are 25% off—so there’s no excuse not to get brewing.”
Even better? This month, both kits are 25% off (yeast not included), so there’s no excuse not to get brewing. Whether you’re a seasoned homebrewer or just getting started, these are two styles you’ll love having on tap. Grab one—or both—and get your St. Paddy’s lineup locked in.
Place your order today, start brewing this week, and by March 17, you’ll have a fresh, homemade pint to enjoy. No green dye, no gimmicks—just a great beer made by you. Order your kit now and make this St. Patrick’s Day one to remember!
Sláinte!
