BY Scott Haraldson
From the March 2011 issue

Beer Deals

Local haunts and take-away brews in which to imbibe this St. Patty’s holiday.
Whenever you want to drink outside the box, specialty beers like these can be found at Four Firkins, just across the border in St. Louis Park, or at Princeton Liquors (literally right across the street in Maple Grove).

Moo Joos

Four Firkins

Direct from local brewery Brau Brothers (Lucan, Minn.) comes a reformulation of a creamy milk stout recipe sure to switch things up from your typical Guinness this holiday. Four Firkins owner Jason Alvey says the main difference is in the milk sugar, lactose, which is added in the boil and leaves this beer smooth, rich and thick in texture. This beer ends somewhat fruity or sweet on the palate. $8.79/six pack. 8009 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park; 952.938.2847

Kells Irish Lager

Princeton Liquors

Rogue Ales’ classic Irish Lager will give you a smooth, mellow drink that finishes with an apple-crisp finish, says Bill Princeton, beer specialist and son of Princeton Liquors owner Joe. (Fun fact: the Princeton family has been selling beer, wine and liquor in the Twin Cities since Prohibition was repealed.) $6.75/bomber. 12790 Bass Lake Rd.; 763.559.3257

Lift Bridge Farm Girl

Four Firkins

A Belgian-style, light-bodied Saison, this beer is very accessible to even non-beer-drinkers. It’s earthy and just a little spicy on the palate, making it easy to drink. Alvey also likes it for its localness (brewed in Stillwater, Minn.). $9.29/six pack

Old Rasputin

Princeton Liquors

Amp things up with a different kind of stout (and another alternative to Guinness). Old Rasputin is a Russian imperial that’s everything the name might suggest—dark and complex with big flavors that finish warm in the belly. $7.99/four pack

Tall Grass Ale

Four Firkins

This malt beverage comes in cans, which any frequent beer drinker will tell you is good for a beer. The English-style brew is “going to be the next big thing in beer,” Alvey predicts. Considering the loads of flavor this session beer packs, it has a pretty low alcohol content at just more than 4 percent, which means you can drink it all afternoon and not feel (too) sloshy the next day. $8.99/six pack

O’Dell Brewery’s Red Ale

Princeton Liquors

To round out the trio of colors, this American-style red brings your taste buds to a whole new level. The seasonal Rocky Mountain Goat is a more aggressive red, Princeton says, because of the inclusion of strong American hops. Be sure to get yours today; seasonal means its only sold through April. $8.99 / six pack

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Classic St. Patty’s Day Eats

Drink your beer a different way this year, in the form of Cowboy Jack’s delicious Guinness beef stew. 4120 Berkshire Ln. N.; 763.559.0257

Soup sounding good? Then don’t miss the Mulligan stew at Joe Senser’s. Their chefs use an age-tested (but secret) recipe. In addition to the stew, Senser’s serves your classic corned beef and cabbage platter. 16605 County Rd. 24; 763.559.1990

Jake’s serves up a range of specials for the luck of the Irish, including Reuben soup, lamb stew in a bread bowl, and traditional corned beef and cabbage with red potatoes in butter and parsley. And, if you happen to have a hankering for green beer, Jake’s has you covered. 3005 Harbor Ln. N.; 763.559.1595

Cooper Irish Pub, the most recent entry in Kieran Folliard’s empire of Irish-styled hotspots, boasts a long list of whiskeys that is perfect for any St. Patty’s Day celebration. But drinking aside, their ever-popular classic fare includes specials on corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew (made with gravy, beef, onions and potatoes), as well as the sausage and champ (mashed potatoes mixed with green onions). 1607 Park Place Blvd., St. Louis Park; 952.698.2000

St. Patty’s Day Brews

For a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at home, here are tips and recipes from the pros at The Copper to make signature Irish cocktails. The best part? You get to drink any mistakes!

HOW TO POUR THE PERFECT PINT

  1. Tip the glass to a 45-degree angle, then open the tap wide.
  2. Fill the glass ¾ full.
  3. Let the glass sit for 1–2 minutes, then fill ’er up.
  4. The head should be about ½ inch to 1 inch tall and just tip the rim of the glass.

GUINNESS DRINKS

Black & Tan

  • Fill glass 2/3 full with Finnegan’s or Bass Pale Ale
  • Set a spoon upside down on the rim of the glass
  • Pour Guinness slowly over the spoon

Half & Half

  • Substitute Pale Ale with Harp

Poor Man’s Black Velvet

  • Substitute Pale Ale with hard cider

IRISH COFFEE

Ingredients:

  • Any Irish whiskey
  • Brown sugar, to taste
  • Coffee
  • Homemade whipped cream

 Dissolve brown sugar in a mug or pint of hot coffee. Add a shot or two of Irsih whiskey, and top with a homemade whipped cream—homemade makes it more pourable—so the end product is similar to a perfectly poured Guinness.