BEER WITH A SOCIALIST: Erin Go Blagh: "May the road rise to meet the rest o' ye, and Sláinte."

Wow ... that's embarrassing.

A website (Indiana On Tap) purporting to serve the interests of Indiana breweries, wineries and distilleries, instead perpetuating green beer idiocy. I made a disparaging reference to this social media post, and they didn't react well to it.

No effort was made to refute my point. That's #winning in my world, although it should be conceded that they redeemed themselves just a bit here.

In 2020, St. Patrick’s Day falls on Tuesday, March 17. At Pints&union we're taking the approach of kicking off holiday festivities during the week preceding the annual revel, and doing so in a manner that buttresses tastefulness rather than greenish-hued irrelevance.

Here's the plan as outlined at Facebook. Smithwick's Irish Red Ale will be on draft throughout. My favorite passage is this: "Properly poured pints of Guinness all day, every day. Come celebrate with us and NO GREEN BEER."

You had me at Guinness.

Getting the holiday’s nickname right bears this annual reminder.

Paddy Not Patty: A Modest Proposal to the People of the New World

It’s Paddy, not Patty – EVER.

Those possessed of genuine Irishness, whether by birth or disposition, somehow manage to tolerate these varied knowledge gaps with good humor and eternal grace.

Given my predominantly German ancestry, I’m under no corresponding obligation, so let the rants begin. Ireland remains very important to me; not so much the way many of you choose to celebrate it once yearly. I've upped my game over the years, and now it's your turn.

The following commentary remains my favorite view of St. Patrick’s Day from the service industry’s perspective. It originally was penned almost 20 years ago by a witty East Coast bartender named Chris Halleron, for an e-newsletter called “Hot Trub.”

Some references are dated, but it has remained remarkably accurate. In the past I'd read it, dissolve into laughter, and resolve to stay home throughout the day to avoid the mayhem of amateurs.

However, now that I once again have a local within walking distance to cherish, I'll make a few appearances at Pints&union, drain a pint or three of stout, and sing Dubliners songs to myself.

Permission to reprint has been provided by the author. Wherever you are, thanks. 

----

Erin Go Blah

Recently a friend asked if I was free to do something on St. Patrick's Day, but I explained that asking a bartender to take that day off is like asking an accountant to blow off work on April 14.

It is the busy season for bartenders, when we get to see all those cheapskate rookies who haven't spent a dime in the bar since they threw up in the corner on New Year's Eve but now decide to poke their heads out of their holes and celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick.

While most people celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17, where I come from it seems to last longer than Mardi Gras in N'Awlins (coincidentally, that's also taking place right now). Hoboken, New Jersey, where I tend bar, has its parade the first Saturday of March every year, so as not to compete with the mega-parade across the Hudson in Manhattan on the actual St. Patrick's Day.

Other communities in New Jersey spread their celebrations out in the interim, creating one thick fog of overindulgence week after week until finally the corned beef and cabbage comes out and everybody is too sick to eat it.

Normally I'd be all for such a celebration, but for the fact that somebody has to work these things -- and once again that somebody is me. While I'm surely preaching to the choir with this column, I'd like to share some misconceptions and social faux pas regarding St. Patrick's Day that I've had the displeasure of observing over years:

· "Kiss Me I'm Irish" buttons will get you nowhere with the ladies.

· There is no "Official" Beer of St. Patrick's Day. Despite all its recent financial difficulties, the Catholic Church has yet to seek corporate sponsorship of its saints' feast days (though it may only be a matter of time…).

· The same goes for "Official" St. Patrick's Day Headquarters--as if that stinky dive down the street with the broken urinal would actually be the epicenter of the world's St. Patrick's Day celebration.

· Just because Mario's Bar and Grill has a shamrock in the window, it doesn't necessarily make it an Irish bar.

· In most circles, House of Pain's "Jump Around" is not considered traditional Irish music.

· Ask any brewer and they'll tell you -- when a beer turns green it's a BAD thing.

· Killian's Irish Red is made in Golden, Colorado, not Enniscorthy, Ireland.

· Killarney's is from St. Louis, Missouri, not Killarney, Ireland.

· The number-one selling lager in Ireland is Budweiser.

· Guinness is most certainly not a microbrewery (I can't make this stuff up -- I swear I actually heard someone say that once).

· Asking a bartender to put a shamrock on the top of a well-poured Guinness is like asking Da Vinci to put a mustache on the Mona Lisa.

· Not only is the "Irish Car Bomb" (a pint glass half full of Guinness with a shot glass of Bailey’s and Jameson dropped in) an appalling name for a drink, the waste of Guinness and Jameson in some novelty shooter is nothing short of blasphemy. Save the “Boilermakers” for the Milwaukee’s Best and enjoy a quality beverage the way it's meant to be enjoyed.

· A pint of Guinness takes a while to be poured properly -- if you're in a hurry then order something else.

· Guinness in a plastic cup is a travesty, no matter how busy the bar is.

· The plural of Guinness is Guinness, not Guinnesses.

· More often than not, Irish people (by that, I mean people born and raised in Ireland) couldn't give a rat's arse what town your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather left during the Potato Famine.

· There is no room for a discussion of Irish politics in a crowded bar.

· The stereotype of drunken Irish bar-fighters applies mostly to Irish-Americans.

· The Irish pastime of hurling is not what most people in this country think it means.

· No matter what you may have heard or read, a traditional Irish breakfast DOES NOT consist of a six-pack and a potato.

· No, I'd rather not wear a silly plastic green hat while I'm working, but thanks for the offer.

· There is no "siesta" napping on the bar for St. Patrick's Day -- you have that confused with Cinco de Mayo, which is two months away.

· Just because the bar is open all day and all night doesn't necessarily mean you have to be there drinking the whole time.

· Just because you gave me a big tip doesn't give you carte blanche for being an @$$hole!!!

Despite all my bitches, gripes and complaints, I'm well aware that there's a lot of earning of the green that goes along with the wearing of the green. So it looks like I'll once again have to "Er-Grin 'n' Go Bear-it" as I look forward to the pot o' gold at the end o' me rainbow -- the long, messy rainbow that it is.

In the meantime, may the road rise to meet the rest o' ye, and Sláinte ... from the bitter bollocks behind the bar.

"Luke Kelly was Ireland’s best-known folk singer — he was also a lifelong socialist."

"Remembering Luke Kelly."

(this is a reprint, but a worthwhile one)

Granted, I mention Luke Kelly fairly often here at this pro bono publication. Pedantry suits me, and I'm grimly determined that readers know who he was and what he stood for.

Luke Kelly truly was a troubadour of the downtrodden.

THE BEER BEAT: A pint of bitter, please, because it's The Dubliners at the The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club, 1977.

Luke Kelly's last performance, 1983.

Entirely coincidental to the yearly arrival of St. Patrick's Day, the missus has been watching an Irish television series called "Striking Out."

Set in Dublin and Wicklow, it's a soap-opera about lawyers and their role in a political scandal connected to the real-world Irish property bust ten years ago, and the reason I bring it up is apart from the performers' accents, scenic drone panoramas of the local landscape and occasional pint of Guinness, there is little to set this drama apart from one situated in London, New York City or Shanghai.

I'm not necessarily objecting to any of this. After all, modernity. While my memories of Ireland 34 years ago are missing mobile phones, specialty coffee carry-out cups and nattily attired Eurofessionals, it is unreasonable to expect the planet to stop spinning while we revert to rural thatched Irish stereotypes of the sort embraced by people who don't actually live there, celebrating their St. Patrick's Days with green beer and car bombs.

Or by me, while reading this excellent account of Luke Kelly's political grounding and its musical context. This hero of mine died 35 years ago, and his country has changed quite a lot since then.

What hasn't changed is the power of ideas, or the way music can express them -- and I submit to you that this is why Luke still matters.

Ireland’s Red Troubadour, by Ronan Burtenshaw (Jacobin)

Luke Kelly was Ireland’s best-known folk singer — he was also a lifelong socialist.

... In this earliest phase of his musical development, he saw his socialism and his growing love for folk music to be inextricably linked. “The music of the left-wing,” he thought, “was romantic and rejuvenating.” As his talent grew Luke took to spending his weekend touring Irish pubs with the Connolly Association selling its newspaper The Irish Democrat. As one of its leading members Sean Redmond would recall to Des Geraghty, “the drill was quite simple. He would go up to the stage or music stand, sing a few songs, then announce that he was here selling the Connolly Association’s newspaper and he expected everyone to buy one.”

But by 1962 the paths of politics and music were beginning to diverge. Seeing great potential in his intellect and application, George Thompson arranged for Luke Kelly to go to university in Prague to further his political development. Availing of this opportunity would almost certainly have meant giving up his musical career—so a choice had to be made. Although still committed to socialist politics, Luke had by this time caught the folk music bug. He turned down the chance to study in Prague and packed his bags for a trip elsewhere, returning to his native Dublin as it was beginning to sway with the winds of the 1960s.

Thirst -- or, "20 of the best pubs in Ireland."

Remember.

Paddy Not Patty: A Modest Proposal to the People of the New World

It’s Paddy, not Patty – EVER.

Now, get ready for some eye candy. If these pub reviews don't make you thirsty for a pint of the black stuff, I'm not sure what will. I've plucked just one example from twenty.

20 of the best pubs in Ireland: readers’ tips (The Guardian)

To celebrate St Patrick’s Day, readers salute the idyllic locations, great music, bonhomie and creamy stout of the island’s brilliant pubs

The Marine Bar, Pulla, Co Waterford

On the fringes of the Ring Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area), the Marine Bar has been keeping the locals watered for more than 300 years. Nowadays the pub is known across the sunny south east for its traditional music sessions, led by owner Christy O’Neill. Hunker down for some ballads (participation welcomed) after a day’s exertion on the wild Copper Coast or cycling the excellent Waterford Greenway. Friday night fireside sessions are the most popular, but there’s music throughout the week. The black stuff optional, but highly recommended.
-- Steve Kirby

Paint your sombreros green -- and Erin Go Blagh, a timeless classic for the annual holiday.

Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day. We'll be doing some fun things at Pints&union, and it's nice to be back in the position of buttressing tastefulness, as opposed to denouncing green-colored lager.

Starting Friday afternoon, we'll be adding Smithwick's Ale and Harp Lager (while they last) to the everyday Guinness.

Getting the holiday’s nickname right bears this annual reminder.

Paddy Not Patty: A Modest Proposal to the People of the New World

It’s Paddy, not Patty – EVER.

Those possessed of genuine Irishness, whether by birth or disposition, somehow manage to tolerate these varied knowledge gaps with good humor and eternal grace. Given my predominantly German ancestry, I’m under no corresponding obligation, so let the rants begin. Ireland remains very important to me; the way many of you celebrate it once yearly, not so much.

The following commentary, originally penned at least 18 years ago for an e-newsletter called “Hot Trub” by a witty East Coast bartender named Chris Halleron, remains my favorite view of St. Patrick’s Day from the service industry’s perspective.

Some references are dated, but it has remained remarkably accurate. I read it once a year, dissolve into laughter, and stay home throughout the day to avoid the mayhem. However now that I once again have a local to cherish, maybe I'll make a Sunday appearance at Pints&union and sing Dubliners songs to myself.

Permission to reprint has been provided by the author.

----

Erin Go Blah

Recently a friend asked if I was free to do something on St. Patrick's Day, but I explained that asking a bartender to take that day off is like asking an accountant to blow off work on April 14.

It is the busy season for bartenders, when we get to see all those cheapskate rookies who haven't spent a dime in the bar since they threw up in the corner on New Year's Eve but now decide to poke their heads out of their holes and celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick.

While most people celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17, where I come from it seems to last longer than Mardi Gras in N'Awlins (coincidentally, that's also taking place right now). Hoboken, New Jersey, where I tend bar, has its parade the first Saturday of March every year, so as not to compete with the mega-parade across the Hudson in Manhattan on the actual St. Patrick's Day.

Other communities in New Jersey spread their celebrations out in the interim, creating one thick fog of overindulgence week after week until finally the corned beef and cabbage comes out and everybody is too sick to eat it.

Normally I'd be all for such a celebration, but for the fact that somebody has to work these things -- and once again that somebody is me. While I'm surely preaching to the choir with this column, I'd like to share some misconceptions and social faux pas regarding St. Patrick's Day that I've had the displeasure of observing over years:

· "Kiss Me I'm Irish" buttons will get you nowhere with the ladies.

· There is no "Official" Beer of St. Patrick's Day. Despite all its recent financial difficulties, the Catholic Church has yet to seek corporate sponsorship of its saints' feast days (though it may only be a matter of time…).

· The same goes for "Official" St. Patrick's Day Headquarters--as if that stinky dive down the street with the broken urinal would actually be the epicenter of the world's St. Patrick's Day celebration.

· Just because Mario's Bar and Grill has a shamrock in the window, it doesn't necessarily make it an Irish bar.

· In most circles, House of Pain's "Jump Around" is not considered traditional Irish music.

· Ask any brewer and they'll tell you -- when a beer turns green it's a BAD thing.

· Killian's Irish Red is made in Golden, Colorado, not Enniscorthy, Ireland.

· Killarney's is from St. Louis, Missouri, not Killarney, Ireland.

· The number-one selling lager in Ireland is Budweiser.

· Guinness is most certainly not a microbrewery (I can't make this stuff up -- I swear I actually heard someone say that once).

· Asking a bartender to put a shamrock on the top of a well-poured Guinness is like asking Da Vinci to put a mustache on the Mona Lisa.

· Not only is the "Irish Car Bomb" (a pint glass half full of Guinness with a shot glass of Bailey’s and Jameson dropped in) an appalling name for a drink, the waste of Guinness and Jameson in some novelty shooter is nothing short of blasphemy. Save the “Boilermakers” for the Milwaukee’s Best and enjoy a quality beverage the way it's meant to be enjoyed.

· A pint of Guinness takes a while to be poured properly -- if you're in a hurry then order something else.

· Guinness in a plastic cup is a travesty, no matter how busy the bar is.

· The plural of Guinness is Guinness, not Guinnesses.

· More often than not, Irish people (by that, I mean people born and raised in Ireland) couldn't give a rat's arse what town your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather left during the Potato Famine.

· There is no room for a discussion of Irish politics in a crowded bar.

· The stereotype of drunken Irish bar-fighters applies mostly to Irish-Americans.

· The Irish pastime of hurling is not what most people in this country think it means.

· No matter what you may have heard or read, a traditional Irish breakfast DOES NOT consist of a six-pack and a potato.

· No, I'd rather not wear a silly plastic green hat while I'm working, but thanks for the offer.

· There is no "siesta" napping on the bar for St. Patrick's Day -- you have that confused with Cinco de Mayo, which is two months away.

· Just because the bar is open all day and all night doesn't necessarily mean you have to be there drinking the whole time.

· Just because you gave me a big tip doesn't give you carte blanche for being an @$$hole!!!

Despite all my bitches, gripes and complaints, I'm well aware that there's a lot of earning of the green that goes along with the wearing of the green. So it looks like I'll once again have to "Er-Grin 'n' Go Bear-it" as I look forward to the pot o' gold at the end o' me rainbow -- the long, messy rainbow that it is.

In the meantime, may the road rise to meet the rest o' ye, and Sláinte ... from the bitter bollocks behind the bar.

"Luke Kelly was Ireland’s best-known folk singer — he was also a lifelong socialist."

"Remembering Luke Kelly."

Granted, I mention Luke Kelly fairly often here at this pro bono publication. Pedantry suits me, and I'm grimly determined that readers know who he was and what he stood for.

Luke Kelly truly was a troubadour of the downtrodden.

THE BEER BEAT: A pint of bitter, please, because it's The Dubliners at the The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club, 1977.

Luke Kelly's last performance, 1983.

Entirely coincidental to the yearly arrival of St. Patrick's Day, the missus has been watching an Irish television series called "Striking Out."

Set in Dublin and Wicklow, it's a soap-opera about lawyers and their role in a political scandal connected to the real-world Irish property bust ten years ago, and the reason I bring it up is apart from the performers' accents, scenic drone panoramas of the local landscape and occasional pint of Guinness, there is little to set this drama apart from one situated in London, New York City or Shanghai.

I'm not necessarily objecting to any of this. After all, modernity. While my memories of Ireland 30 years ago are missing mobile phones, specialty coffee carry-out cups and nattily attired Eurofessionals, it is unreasonable to expect the planet to stop spinning while we revert to rural thatched Irish stereotypes of the sort embraced by people who don't actually live there, celebrating their St. Patrick's Days with green beer and car bombs.

Or by me, while reading this excellent account of Luke Kelly's political grounding and its musical context. This hero of mine died 34 years ago, and his country has changed quite a lot since then.

What hasn't changed is the power of ideas, or the way music can express them -- and I submit to you that this is why Luke still matters.

Ireland’s Red Troubadour, by Ronan Burtenshaw (Jacobin)

Luke Kelly was Ireland’s best-known folk singer — he was also a lifelong socialist.

... In this earliest phase of his musical development, he saw his socialism and his growing love for folk music to be inextricably linked. “The music of the left-wing,” he thought, “was romantic and rejuvenating.” As his talent grew Luke took to spending his weekend touring Irish pubs with the Connolly Association selling its newspaper The Irish Democrat. As one of its leading members Sean Redmond would recall to Des Geraghty, “the drill was quite simple. He would go up to the stage or music stand, sing a few songs, then announce that he was here selling the Connolly Association’s newspaper and he expected everyone to buy one.”

But by 1962 the paths of politics and music were beginning to diverge. Seeing great potential in his intellect and application, George Thompson arranged for Luke Kelly to go to university in Prague to further his political development. Availing of this opportunity would almost certainly have meant giving up his musical career—so a choice had to be made. Although still committed to socialist politics, Luke had by this time caught the folk music bug. He turned down the chance to study in Prague and packed his bags for a trip elsewhere, returning to his native Dublin as it was beginning to sway with the winds of the 1960s.

THE BEER BEAT: Paint your sombreros green, and Erin Go Blagh -- a timeless classic for a green-hued holiday.

Yes, tomorrow it’s St. Patrick’s Day. Time once again to endure the tasteless annual outbursts of shamrock-mounted hokum fueled by wretched green-colored lager, not to mention the inability of many revelers to get the holiday’s nickname right.

Paddy Not Patty: A Modest Proposal to the People of the New World

It’s Paddy, not Patty – EVER.

Still, those possessed of genuine Irishness, whether by birth or disposition, somehow manage to tolerate these varied outrages with good humor and eternal grace.

Given my German ancestry, I’m under no corresponding obligation, so let the rant begin. Ireland is very important to me; the way most of you celebrate it, not so much.

The following commentary, originally penned at least 15 years ago for an e-newsletter called “Hot Trub” by a witty East Coast bartender named Chris Halleron, remains my favorite view of St. Patrick’s Day from the service industry’s perspective.

Some references are dated, but it has remained remarkably accurate. I read it once a year, dissolve into laughter, and stay home throughout the day to avoid the mayhem.

Permission to reprint has been provided by the author.

----

Erin Go Blah

Recently a friend asked if I was free to do something on St. Patrick's Day, but I explained that asking a bartender to take that day off is like asking an accountant to blow off work on April 14.

It is the busy season for bartenders, when we get to see all those cheapskate rookies who haven't spent a dime in the bar since they threw up in the corner on New Year's Eve but now decide to poke their heads out of their holes and celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick.

While most people celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17, where I come from it seems to last longer than Mardi Gras in N'Awlins (coincidentally, that's also taking place right now). Hoboken, New Jersey, where I tend bar, has its parade the first Saturday of March every year, so as not to compete with the mega-parade across the Hudson in Manhattan on the actual St. Patrick's Day.

Other communities in New Jersey spread their celebrations out in the interim, creating one thick fog of overindulgence week after week until finally the corned beef and cabbage comes out and everybody is too sick to eat it.

Normally I'd be all for such a celebration, but for the fact that somebody has to work these things -- and once again that somebody is me. While I'm surely preaching to the choir with this column, I'd like to share some misconceptions and social faux pas regarding St. Patrick's Day that I've had the displeasure of observing over years:

· "Kiss Me I'm Irish" buttons will get you nowhere with the ladies.

· There is no "Official" Beer of St. Patrick's Day. Despite all its recent financial difficulties, the Catholic Church has yet to seek corporate sponsorship of its saints' feast days (though it may only be a matter of time…).

· The same goes for "Official" St. Patrick's Day Headquarters--as if that stinky dive down the street with the broken urinal would actually be the epicenter of the world's St. Patrick's Day celebration.

· Just because Mario's Bar and Grill has a shamrock in the window, it doesn't necessarily make it an Irish bar.

· In most circles, House of Pain's "Jump Around" is not considered traditional Irish music.

· Ask any brewer and they'll tell you -- when a beer turns green it's a BAD thing.

· Killian's Irish Red is made in Golden, Colorado, not Enniscorthy, Ireland.

· Killarney's is from St. Louis, Missouri, not Killarney, Ireland.

· The number-one selling lager in Ireland is Budweiser.

· Guinness is most certainly not a microbrewery (I can't make this stuff up -- I swear I actually heard someone say that once).

· Asking a bartender to put a shamrock on the top of a well-poured Guinness is like asking Da Vinci to put a mustache on the Mona Lisa.

· Not only is the "Irish Car Bomb" (a pint glass half full of Guinness with a shot glass of Bailey’s and Jameson dropped in) an appalling name for a drink, the waste of Guinness and Jameson in some novelty shooter is nothing short of blasphemy. Save the “Boilermakers” for the Milwaukee’s Best and enjoy a quality beverage the way it's meant to be enjoyed.

· A pint of Guinness takes a while to be poured properly -- if you're in a hurry then order something else.

· Guinness in a plastic cup is a travesty, no matter how busy the bar is.

· The plural of Guinness is Guinness, not Guinnesses.

· More often than not, Irish people (by that, I mean people born and raised in Ireland) couldn't give a rat's arse what town your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather left during the Potato Famine.

· There is no room for a discussion of Irish politics in a crowded bar.

· The stereotype of drunken Irish bar-fighters applies mostly to Irish-Americans.

· The Irish pastime of hurling is not what most people in this country think it means.

· No matter what you may have heard or read, a traditional Irish breakfast DOES NOT consist of a six-pack and a potato.

· No, I'd rather not wear a silly plastic green hat while I'm working, but thanks for the offer.

· There is no "siesta" napping on the bar for St. Patrick's Day -- you have that confused with Cinco de Mayo, which is two months away.

· Just because the bar is open all day and all night doesn't necessarily mean you have to be there drinking the whole time.

· Just because you gave me a big tip doesn't give you carte blanche for being an @$$hole!!!

Despite all my bitches, gripes and complaints, I'm well aware that there's a lot of earning of the green that goes along with the wearing of the green. So it looks like I'll once again have to "Er-Grin 'n' Go Bear-it" as I look forward to the pot o' gold at the end o' me rainbow -- the long, messy rainbow that it is.

In the meantime, may the road rise to meet the rest o' ye, and Sláinte ... from the bitter bollocks behind the bar.

---

In New Albany, the City Hall-sanctioned, official municipal events-plaining agency known as Develop New Albany (we're under-developed -- get it?) has released a list of six downtown establishments offering St. Patrick's Day specials, which can be found here.

There's nothing like Jager Bombs and Fireball Shots to promote Irishness, so be sure to have a designated driver, call a cab or walk on your own two wobbly legs.

THE BEER BEAT: Highlights but no Lites, or a beer news roundup.

Leading it off, NABC recently retrofitted the Maheen to fill 12-ounce bottles. The six-year "bomber" experiment has concluded, and now there are 4-packs of Hoptimus to compete for retail shelf space. In addition, these new packages can be found at both NABC locations.

Coincidentally, as I ponder the most recent effort (fingers crossed) to bring the NABC buyout saga to a conclusion, All About Beer offers a wonderful tip about the power of realism.

THE PERFECT ADDRESS: BREWERIES PASSING ALONG BUILDINGS MAKES OPENING, SCALING, AND CREATING COMMUNITIES EASIER, by Sarah Annese

Imagine starting a brewery on a shoestring, cobbling together a small system, making just one barrel of beer at a time. Then, after working tirelessly to reach a point where demand exceeds capacity, miraculously being able to move into a new location already outfitted with the exact equipment needed to expand. Improbable? Not quite.

In some cases, breweries can start or scale easily, without any break in production of beer, when they move into a location previously occupied by another beer company.

It's far too good of an idea to make sense in my situation, so let's turn to sad news from the left coast.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers to Cease Operations Indefinitely

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers has been forced to immediately cease brewing, packaging, and tap room operations at their San Francisco brewery for an indefinite period of time. Difficulty securing capital investment and outstanding debt obligations led to this difficult and painful decision. The company’s primary creditor will determine the future of the brewery and brand, and no decision or further information is available at this time.

Those words: capital investment, debt obligations, primary creditor. You embark on a crusade to change the world, and capitalism intervenes, reminding you that the monetary "powers that be" aren't really interested in the world changing, unless they get paid. Viva la Sanders!

Returning closer to home, the over-hyped advent of Yuengling has been like a clever litmus test to gauge the localism commitment of area pubs and eateries. In short, which beer was taken off tap to make room for another corn-laden adjunct lager, albeit family-owned and yes, to be defined as "craft"?

NUVO gets straight to the heart of the anti-matter.

12 local Indiana lagers to drink instead of Yuengling, by Cavan McGinsie (NUVO)

If you're one of the many people who doesn't really care that another macrobrew is coming to Indianapolis — whether it be due to their political leanings or if you just prefer to support your local business owners and the kickass beer that they make right here in Indiana — we're here to provide you a few locally-crafted lagers.

Speaking of Indiana-brewed ...

7th Annual Bloomington Craft Beer Festival

Choose from hundreds of beers to sample from 50+ Hoosier breweries and guests at the Brewers of Indiana Guild's annual spring fundraiser. #BtownBfest returns to Historic Woolery Mill for the seventh and possibly final time before we move to a new location, so don't miss out on your chance to support Indiana's brewers through this one-of-a-kind experience.

At some point soon, the unique Woolery Mill site is to be redeveloped and the festival will move to another location in Bloomington. As an aside, during my time as a Brewers of Indiana Guild board member, there were many discussions about staging a smaller event along the lines of the one at Woolery Mill, but at a Southern Indiana venue, serving as an Indiana beer showcase for the Louisville metro market. An autumn fest slot remains open.

Just saying.

As for Louisville news items, here are three. First, as introduction to one of my recent favorite local beer profiles, kudos for use of the word "predicaments" in a headline. What's more, the folks at Drinkswell are wonderful, and how many brewing system contractors have their own taproom?

Drinkswell keeps beer flowing from taps, despite wild ‘predicaments’, by Kevin Gibson (Insider Louisville)

Drinkswell’s main focus is setting up brewing systems for restaurants, breweries, venues and more – it’s the only business of its kind in Kentucky, in fact. Bullen has been a beer enthusiast since he began homebrewing at age 16 while growing up in Canada. A former professional brewer for the now-defunct Hops chain of brewpubs, among other breweries, Bullen opened Drinkswell in 2005 because, “I think I realized I wanted to stay in the beer business, but I wanted to work for myself.”

In addition to the never-a-dull-moment installation and repair work, Drinkswell also is home to a cozy craft beer taproom — open to the public Wednesday through Saturday — in its headquarters inside Butchertown Market Building. Not that Bullen gets to spend much time there, given he’s on the road so frequently; his car is less than a year old, and there’s already 20,000 miles on the odometer. One of the two Drinkswell service trucks has 300,000 miles on it – and it’s a 2011 model.

Over in Germantown, the Eiderdown's reboot is drawing plaudits. The chronicler Gibson focuses on food, but the beer selection also has been overhauled to feature more German styles.

Eiderdown’s new menu highlights Germantown roots at a nice price

Not long after Germantown Craft House abruptly closed late last year, Eiderdown suddenly announced it also would close temporarily to revamp its menu, leaving residents in Germantown wondering what the heck was going on.

But Craft House is now reborn as Goss Ave. Pub, and Eiderdown has since reopened with a new menu that focuses not only on Germain culinary traditions, but also price-friendly options designed to keep people coming back.

I'm almost three weeks late on the latest brewery opening, so allowing for a quick catch-up, a hearty welcome to Holsopple.

East End brewery is opening today, by David A. Mann (Louisville Business First)

Holsopple Brewing Co., at 8023 Catherine Lane in Lyndon, just north of New La Grange Road, opens today.

We first told you about this new spot last June. Wife-and-husband team Kristy Holsopple and Sam Gambill, both of who are career beer brewers, have developed the brewery.

For reviews of the beers, go to LEO Weekly for Syd Bishop's careful analysis.

Finally, with St. Patrick's Day landing on a Friday in 2017, a weekend of sheer chaos is assured. Blog readers are perfectly capable of surveying the landscape for establishments in which to celebrate, and as you'd imagine, I recommend your friendly local brewery. Given the circumstances, 2017 also would be a fine year for symbolism, so dying Yuengling green might actually be funny -- or maybe orange would be more appropriate in at least two different but complementary ways.

If you're interested in learning the St. Patrick's Day rules, read all about them in this reprint from 2016.

ON THE AVENUES: Erin Go Blagh -- a timeless classic for a green-hued holiday.

· Not only is the "Irish Car Bomb" (a pint glass half full of Guinness with a shot glass of Bailey’s and Jameson dropped in) an appalling name for a drink, the waste of Guinness and Jameson in some novelty shooter is nothing short of blasphemy. Save the “Boilermakers” for the Milwaukee’s Best and enjoy a quality beverage the way it's meant to be enjoyed.

ON THE AVENUES: Erin Go Blagh -- a timeless classic for a green-hued holiday.

ON THE AVENUES: Erin Go Blagh -- a timeless classic for a green-hued holiday.

A weekly web column by Roger A. Baylor.

Yes, it’s St. Patrick’s Day again.

Time to endure the tasteless annual outbursts of shamrock-mounted hokum fueled by wretched green-colored lager, not to mention the inability of many revelers to get the holiday’s nickname right.

Paddy Not Patty: A Modest Proposal to the People of the New World

It’s Paddy, not Patty – EVER.

Still, those possessed of genuine Irishness, whether by birth or disposition, somehow manage to tolerate these varied outrages with good humor and eternal grace.

But given my German ancestry, I’m under no corresponding obligation, so let the rant begin.

In 2016, the scheduling Gods are perversely inclined, having placed a New Albany city council blarney bash to begin precisely at 7:00 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, evidently to serve as a sort of twisted exclamation point.

Well, Dan Coffey’s blarney is downright barmy, and even gin is green when you place the bottle in front of an official city flag – assuming Team Gahan hasn’t secretly changed the color to Disney Blue.

The following commentary, originally penned at least 15 years ago for an e-newsletter called “Hot Trub” by a witty East Coast bartender named Chris Halleron, remains my favorite view of St. Patrick’s Day from the service industry’s perspective.

Some references are dated, but it has remained remarkably accurate. I read it once a year, dissolve into laughter, and stay home throughout the day to avoid the mayhem.

For safe passage to the council meeting, I may need to borrow someone’s Hummer.

Permission to reprint has been provided by the author.

----

Erin Go Blah

Recently a friend asked if I was free to do something on St. Patrick's Day, but I explained that asking a bartender to take that day off is like asking an accountant to blow off work on April 14.

It is the busy season for bartenders, when we get to see all those cheapskate rookies who haven't spent a dime in the bar since they threw up in the corner on New Year's Eve but now decide to poke their heads out of their holes and celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick.

While most people celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17, where I come from it seems to last longer than Mardi Gras in N'Awlins (coincidentally, that's also taking place right now). Hoboken, New Jersey, where I tend bar, has its parade the first Saturday of March every year, so as not to compete with the mega-parade across the Hudson in Manhattan on the actual St. Patrick's Day.

Other communities in New Jersey spread their celebrations out in the interim, creating one thick fog of overindulgence week after week until finally the corned beef and cabbage comes out and everybody is too sick to eat it.

Normally I'd be all for such a celebration, but for the fact that somebody has to work these things -- and once again that somebody is me. While I'm surely preaching to the choir with this column, I'd like to share some misconceptions and social faux pas regarding St. Patrick's Day that I've had the displeasure of observing over years:

· "Kiss Me I'm Irish" buttons will get you nowhere with the ladies.

· There is no "Official" Beer of St. Patrick's Day. Despite all its recent financial difficulties, the Catholic Church has yet to seek corporate sponsorship of its saints' feast days (though it may only be a matter of time…).

· The same goes for "Official" St. Patrick's Day Headquarters--as if that stinky dive down the street with the broken urinal would actually be the epicenter of the world's St. Patrick's Day celebration.

· Just because Mario's Bar and Grill has a shamrock in the window, it doesn't necessarily make it an Irish bar.

· In most circles, House of Pain's "Jump Around" is not considered traditional Irish music.

· Ask any brewer and they'll tell you -- when a beer turns green it's a BAD thing.

· Killian's Irish Red is made in Golden, Colorado, not Enniscorthy, Ireland.

· Killarney's is from St. Louis, Missouri, not Killarney, Ireland.

· The number-one selling lager in Ireland is Budweiser.

· Guinness is most certainly not a microbrewery (I can't make this stuff up -- I swear I actually heard someone say that once).

· Asking a bartender to put a shamrock on the top of a well-poured Guinness is like asking Da Vinci to put a mustache on the Mona Lisa.

· Not only is the "Irish Car Bomb" (a pint glass half full of Guinness with a shot glass of Bailey’s and Jameson dropped in) an appalling name for a drink, the waste of Guinness and Jameson in some novelty shooter is nothing short of blasphemy. Save the “Boilermakers” for the Milwaukee’s Best and enjoy a quality beverage the way it's meant to be enjoyed.

· A pint of Guinness takes a while to be poured properly -- if you're in a hurry then order something else.

· Guinness in a plastic cup is a travesty, no matter how busy the bar is.

· The plural of Guinness is Guinness, not Guinnesses.

· More often than not, Irish people (by that, I mean people born and raised in Ireland) couldn't give a rat's arse what town your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather left during the Potato Famine.

· There is no room for a discussion of Irish politics in a crowded bar.

· The stereotype of drunken Irish bar-fighters applies mostly to Irish-Americans.

· The Irish pastime of hurling is not what most people in this country think it means.

· No matter what you may have heard or read, a traditional Irish breakfast DOES NOT consist of a six-pack and a potato.

· No, I'd rather not wear a silly plastic green hat while I'm working, but thanks for the offer.

· There is no "siesta" napping on the bar for St. Patrick's Day -- you have that confused with Cinco de Mayo, which is two months away.

· Just because the bar is open all day and all night doesn't necessarily mean you have to be there drinking the whole time.

· Just because you gave me a big tip doesn't give you carte blanche for being an @$$hole!!!

Despite all my bitches, gripes and complaints, I'm well aware that there's a lot of earning of the green that goes along with the wearing of the green. So it looks like I'll once again have to "Er-Grin 'n' Go Bear-it" as I look forward to the pot o' gold at the end o' me rainbow -- the long, messy rainbow that it is.

In the meantime, may the road rise to meet the rest o' ye, and Sláinte ... from the bitter bollocks behind the bar.

---

March 10: ON THE AVENUES: A funny thing happened on the way to a city council nightcap.

March 3: ON THE AVENUES: Since 1960, outside looking in.

February 29: ON THE AVENUES REPRISE: Die hard the Hunter, or the political "impossibility" of rental property registration in New Albany (2015).

February 25: ON THE AVENUES: Gravity Head again, because times change, and possessive pronouns change with them.

Dwarfs, leprechauns and a poor taste pinnacle of sorts.

Below is the unexpurgated text of an e-mail I received yesterday.

Given the tone of Bil Brown's "Who I Am" on-line resume, my guess is that this dwarf solicitation is an elaborate, hidden cam joke for the greater good of artistic expression.

If not, then it's about as depressing as this photo (via TM):

---

Dwarf LEPRECHAUNS for NEW ALBANIAN BREWING

Bil Brown
NINESIXTYNINE Creative Arts
Ph #: (502) 509 2451
Email: BilBrown969@gmail.com

Dear Mr Roger Baylor:

This is Bil Brown from NINESIXTYNINE Creative Arts here ---- I hope this message finds you well today!

I have something FUN to pitch to you today ------ this Saturday March 9 is the Louisville St Patricks Day Parade and next weekend March 16/17 is St Patrick's Day Weekend.

I have a client who is a DWARF ACTOR (named DAVID) --- he is a real life DWARF, and he is interested in working appearance gigs for the St Patricks season as a LEPRECHAUN.

I know you are probably setting up ST PATRICKS DAY parties/events/promotions for the NEW ALBANIAN BREWHOUSE ---- would you be interested in having a real life (and fully COSTUMED) LEPRECHAUN at any of your St Patty's events?

At his appearances, David (as LEPRECHAUN) takes photos with children and party attendees, typically gives away chocolate gold coins or other prizes.......helps with or hosts any GAMES, RAFFLES, on-site SCAVENGER HUNTS, CONTESTS, or PRIZE GIVEAWAYS at the Event, etc....

David maintains professionalism at parties but is also outgoing and has a “good time” with patrons, attendees, and staff.

I also have a few other DWARF actors, if you would like to have multiple LEPRECHAUNS at your location.

Let me know what you think and if you guys would be interested in booking any DWARVES to be LEPRECHAUNS for special appearances at NEW ALBANIAN BREWHOUSE.

This would be FUN, COMICAL, and UNFORGETTABLE for your customers ---- for both KIDS and ADULTS! We look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,

Bil Brown
NINESIXTYNINE Creative Arts
Ph #: (502) 509 2451
Email: BilBrown969@gmail.com

Downtown New Albany retailers are having a St. Patrick's Day bash.

The Dandy Lion, Thorpe Woodworks, and Creative {handmade arts boutique} are combining for a St. Patrick's Day extravaganza this Thursday, March 17.

St. Patrick's Day Discounts! Great Beer! Green Treats!

These three and perhaps other retailers (the promotion is evolving as I write) located in downtown New Albany's art, dining and entertainment district will stay open until 8:00 p.m. Details of themed events at food and drink establishments (Steinert's, Irish Exit, Wick's, et al) can be found with quick searches at Facebook.

Remember that the most dreadful mass-market swill gains nothing from being subjected to foul tinted treatment: No green shades for a Gravity Head St. Patrick's Day at the Pizzeria & Public House.

And, so here to read one bartender's testimony: Just in time for the holiday: "Erin Go Blah" (a reprint).