Green Beer and Why You Need To Settle Down
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and I have to say, the craft beer world joins in unison on this day and bemoans the widespread availability of green beer. Don’t worry, I’m not going to join in. In fact, I’m going to stand up on the side of green beer drinkers and tell are the protesters to settle down, have a pint of green beer and have a good time.
The green pint isn’t a special beer. In many cases, a bar with hit a keg of Harp, Bud, something fizzy and yellow with a bit of green dye and the entire keg turns green. For these light beers, it’s pretty easy. For beers like Guinness, the body takes on a green-ish hue, but the head sings out a shamrock green.
Why do you do this? To have fun, of course. You’re probably wearing green, eating corned beef and cabbage, possibly an Irish stew, and drinking black and tans. Are these insults to their respective niches in our society? OK, some of the corned beef and cabbage being served could be construed as an offense to the culinary community, but as a whole, no harm, no foul.
So why is there all this anger over green beer? Does a green IPA taste bad? You’re simply taking part in a group activity, showing spirit. Locally, the Giants recently made a run through the playoffs en route to a World Series. Many dens of craft beer opened their doors to the crowds, glassware featuring the Giants logo was common, Orange and Black concoctions were devised (pumpkin beer and stout), it was madness. I didn’t see or hear much complaining, everyone was having a good time.
What I’m saying to the green beer haters is “lighten up.” Have a beer. One drop of green food coloring in the bottom of a 16oz beer isn’t going to ruin your day. It really won’t ruin your day when it’s in someone else’s glass. Have a good time. Just make sure it’s a well crafted beer that you’re coloring. Personally, I like a green-hued hop bomb, almost makes it taste hoppier.
One Comment to “Green Beer and Why You Need To Settle Down”
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I agree with this, but I’ve never heard of “green beer” meaning anything but the fizzy yellow stuff, and if there’s one thing we don’t need, it’s yet another gimmick to make that stuff appetizing. I’d have no problem tossing some green dye into something good; why not?