Veronica Roberts is a work-from-home mom with a variety of interests, including food, drinks, antiques, and nature.

Learn about some Irish beer brands, and see recipes for shooters like the Cement Mixer and the Irish Gold. Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Yes, it is tradition, both abroad and in the United States, to drink and drink some more on St. Paddy's Day (March 17). Many bars offer "eggs and kegs" with Irish coffee first thing in the morn' on St. Patrick's Day. Then, they continue with drink specials, green beer, dancing, Irish cocktails, Irish shots, drinking songs, contests, and crazy green attire.

Whether you are hosting a party or going out with friends, keep in mind a few of these authentic Irish beers and shooters.

Drink Responsibly Remember to drink responsibly, and designate a sober driver!

Guinness is a famous Irish beer. WikiCommons

Irish Beers

We all have heard of Guinness, the dark, frothy goodness straight from Dublin. What about Magners? Here is a list of Irish beers that you should accustom yourself to—and maybe try—this St. Patty's Day. Go on down to your local Irish pub and have a taste. No matter your taste, the Irish have a beer for you!

Guinness: A velvety, bittersweet mixture of hops and roasted barley. It is a bit of a heavy beer, but ask a true Irishman and he will tell you "Nah, it's just a beer!" Aside from the traditional, one can now try Foreign Extra Stout (7.2% alcohol content), Extra Stout, and Black Lager. Magners Irish Cider: Magners is made with 17 types of apples. Sweetand bubbly with a dash of sour, Magners is a great beer for those daring enough to try something different and bold. I prefer it on the rocks, with a splash of blackberry currant. I have yet to try Magners Pear, but it sounds delicious! Smithwicks: The "Superior Irish Ale", Smithwicks (pronounced "smid-icks") offers a slight hint of coffee with a sweetness from the ale, and bitterness from the hops. Smithwicks is now offered in a Pale Ale, with a light, floral and malt taste. Murphy's Irish Stout: Along with numbers 1-3, Murphy's is quite a popular Irish beer in the U.S. This one is much sweeter than Guinness and (next) Beamish. I consider it more of a dessert beer, or a "girly beer". Murphy's is like a shot of espresso in a glass of chocolate milk, topped with caramel cream. It is full of flavor! Murphy's is also available in Irish Red. Beamish Irish Stout: Using original Beamish yeast, the Irish Stout boasts flavors of caramel and coffee, with a barley bitter end. Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale: One of the eldest beers (older than the U.S.), Kilkenny's aroma is rich, but taste is similar to that of a Guinness mixed with a Smithwicks.

More Great Irish Beers

Kinsale Irish Lager

Ohara's Celtic Stout

Harp Lager

Killians Irish Red

Caffrey's Irish Ale

Moling's Traditional Celtic

American-Made Irish Beers

Samuel Adams Irish Red

Great Lakes Wolfhound Stout

Great Lakes Irish Red

Finnegans Irish Amber

Irish Flag Shooter. 1 / 2

Irish Shooters

Have you tried an Irish Flag or Fruity Irishman? There are countless shooters that the Irish drink, as there are equally countless liquors! Below are some well-known shots, as well as some you may wish to forget after trying (they're either just that good or pretty potent)!

After Dinner Mint: Pour 3/4 oz. of Kalhua into a shot glass. Layer 3/4 oz. Creme de Menthe, followed by 3/4 oz. Baileys.

Pour 3/4 oz. of Kalhua into a shot glass. Layer 3/4 oz. Creme de Menthe, followed by 3/4 oz. Baileys. Irish Slammer: In a shot glass, pour 1 oz. of Baileys Irish Cream. Layer 1 oz. of Jameson (whiskey) on top. In a separate pint glass, pour Guinness (about 2/3 of the way full). When ready to take the shot, drop the shot glass into the pint glass, and chug!

In a shot glass, pour 1 oz. of Baileys Irish Cream. Layer 1 oz. of Jameson (whiskey) on top. In a separate pint glass, pour Guinness (about 2/3 of the way full). When ready to take the shot, drop the shot glass into the pint glass, and chug! B-52: Pour 3/4 oz. of Kalhua into a shot glass and then gently layer 3/4 oz. of Baileys on top. Lastly, layer on 3/4 oz. of Cointreau (an orange liqueur).

Pour 3/4 oz. of Kalhua into a shot glass and then gently layer 3/4 oz. of Baileys on top. Lastly, layer on 3/4 oz. of Cointreau (an orange liqueur). Irish Flag: Layering is key with this shooter. Add 3/4 oz. Creme de Menthe to a shot glass. Add 3/4 oz. Irish Cream, followed by 3/4 oz. Grand Marnier.

Layering is key with this shooter. Add 3/4 oz. Creme de Menthe to a shot glass. Add 3/4 oz. Irish Cream, followed by 3/4 oz. Grand Marnier. Fruity Irishman: In a shaker, add 1.5 oz. Irish Cream with .5 oz. Midori (a melon liqueur). Shake and strain into a shot glass.

In a shaker, add 1.5 oz. Irish Cream with .5 oz. Midori (a melon liqueur). Shake and strain into a shot glass. Cement Mixer: (This one is not my favorite!) In a shaker, combine 1 3/4 oz. Irish Cream and 1/4 oz. lime juice. Shake and strain into a shot glass. A fun variation is to pour 1 oz. of Baileys into your mouth, followed by 1 oz. of lime juice. Shake (as if using mouthwash) vigorously for a few seconds, and then swallow.

(This one is not my favorite!) In a shaker, combine 1 3/4 oz. Irish Cream and 1/4 oz. lime juice. Shake and strain into a shot glass. A fun variation is to pour 1 oz. of Baileys into your mouth, followed by 1 oz. of lime juice. Shake (as if using mouthwash) vigorously for a few seconds, and then swallow. Southern Ireland: In a shot glass, add 1 oz. Baileys and 1 oz. Southern Comfort Peach Liqueur.

In a shot glass, add 1 oz. Baileys and 1 oz. Southern Comfort Peach Liqueur. Baby Guinness: Pour 3/4 oz. of Kahlua into a shot glass. Hold a spoon over the glass, and pour 1/4 oz. Baileys onto the spoon, and let the Baileys ease onto the Kahlua. This will create the look of froth, like the head on a pint of Guinness.

Pour 3/4 oz. of Kahlua into a shot glass. Hold a spoon over the glass, and pour 1/4 oz. Baileys onto the spoon, and let the Baileys ease onto the Kahlua. This will create the look of froth, like the head on a pint of Guinness. Irish Gold: 1 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream. 1 oz. Goldschlager Cinnamon Schnapps. Add both to a shot glass (in any order).

Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat. — Alex Levine

Irish Coffee Drinks

Irish Coffee is popular world wide. Simply add a shot of your favorite Irish whiskey to a cup of coffee! To be even more authentic, add a dash of brown sugar and heavy cream. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon.

is popular world wide. Simply add a shot of your favorite Irish whiskey to a cup of coffee! To be even more authentic, add a dash of brown sugar and heavy cream. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon. Baileys Irish Coffee: To make it, just simply pour a small shot (about 1 1/2 oz.) of Baileys into a coffee mug, and then add coffee. It is a delicious dessert drink to sip on while conversing.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Whatever you prefer to drink—whether whiskey, fancy shooters, or beer—the Irish have you covered! My favorites of the above listed are Magners, Smithwicks, and Baileys Irish Coffee. Back in the day, I probably had a favorite (or two) shooter, but these days, I settle for a beer to sip on, or some Baileys to accompany a piece of chocolate cake.

James Timothy Peters from Hammond, Indiana on November 01, 2017:

This is an awesome Hub. I really like the way it's organized and put together. This is probably the best Hub I've read in a long time. Fantastic job.

Veronica Roberts (author) from Ohio, USA on November 03, 2012:

Most definitely, Kaili! Thanks for your comment & vote!

Cheers!

Kaili Bisson from Canada on November 02, 2012:

Love a good "black pint" now and then. Voted up!

Veronica Roberts (author) from Ohio, USA on April 18, 2012:

You can never go wrong w/ a Guinness! =D Thanks for stopping by, TotalHealth!

TotalHealth from Hermosa Beach, CA on April 06, 2012:

Nice hub! It's 11:30 Friday morning and after reading your hub I'm craving a Guinness. Is that bad? ;)

Veronica Roberts (author) from Ohio, USA on March 19, 2012:

Haha Glad that you had a great time!!! Thanks for the comment, midnightbliss! =D

Haydee Anderson from Hermosa Beach on March 18, 2012:

Happy St. Patty's Day!!! It's 03/18/12 and I'm still recovering from last night. I think I sampled one of everything listed above...oh'boy, gotta love Irish traditions! ~ Great hub :)

Veronica Roberts (author) from Ohio, USA on March 04, 2012:

Sannel - I didn't know that you lived in the states at one time! Did you live in NYC? I am glad that it brought back memories for you! Thank you for your comment. Its always nice to hear from you!! =] Happy St. Patrick's Day!

PracticalMommy - Doesn't it sound delish? =] Thanks for reading and for your comment (& for tweeting this!).

Audrey - Mmhmm! hehe =D Thanks for stopping by!

Audrey Howitt from California on March 04, 2012:

Yum!!

Marissa from United States on March 04, 2012:

OOOh... I could go for a Bailey's Irish coffee now! Great hub. Perfect for St. Patty's Day! :)

SanneL from Sweden on March 04, 2012:

As a full blooded Swede, It would be difficult to understand the meaning of "St. Patrick's Day". However, living in the States for almost two decades, I had many Irish friends. So celebrating St. Patty's Day became a wonderful holiday to have fun and of course watch the parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City. This hub brought back fond memories of those years, and who could forget those wonderful drinks! Great hub, Veronica! Happy St Patrick's Day!

Veronica Roberts (author) from Ohio, USA on March 03, 2012:

It is pretty neat, isn't it? A friend of mine once ordered a Mexican Flag (shooter) from a Mexican restaurant. They actually set it on fire!

Thanks for reading, commenting, and voting. Happy St. Patty's Day to you, too!

Stephanie Marshall from Bend, Oregon on March 03, 2012:

Gosh, those shooters are so awesome looking, I'd probably keep ordering them just to marvel at their cool layers. :) Rated up and Happy St. Patty's day!

Veronica Roberts (author) from Ohio, USA on March 03, 2012:

FordeAhern - Wow. Thank you!!! I am SO happy to have been complimented by a true Ireland native! =D I will not be hitting the pub this year, either. I'd prefer to (only because of the food), but will avoid the (crazy) crowd because I will not be drinking. I would LOVE to visit Ireland some day. For now, I'll just admire the culture and scenery from afar. ;) Thank you for stopping by, and Happy St. Patrick's Day to you as well! Cheers!

tlpoague - Thank you so much for the compliment and for sharing this with others! I had fun researching this one, and thinking about my favorite Irish drinks. =] Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Veronica Roberts (author) from Ohio, USA on March 03, 2012:

Cagsil - Of course I don't mind the link! I have not read it yet, but will. That's awesome that you're willing to share your experience w/ others.

Happy Saturday - there ya go. =]

Tammy from USA on March 02, 2012:

These look like terrific drinks to try out. I am not much of a drinker, but I passed this on to my family. Thanks for sharing them.

FordeAhern from Broadford, Co. Limerick. ireland on March 02, 2012:

Hi all I am Irish. The hub is very well written. Thank you. We celebrate St Patrick's day by wearing some shamrock on a garment and just by going out for dinner with family. I love a drink but we don't do the pub on paddy's day. The Irish coffee is lovely once there isn't to much whiskey in it and loads of cream. yum yum. voted up and interesting and will bookmark it. From here in Ireland to all of you Happy ST Patrick's Day.

Cagsil from USA or America on March 01, 2012:

Hey Veronica, I'm going to drop a link here, which is something I don't normally do, but since your hub is about alcohol and it's consumption, then my hub would apply and hopefully raise awareness of your readers. I don't know if you've seen or read this hub, but it's okay if you haven't. However, I used to have a drinking problem and learned that it takes true understanding of oneself in order to maintain control while being able to drink. I hope you don't mind my link.

As for celebrating St. Patrick's Day? I don't. I'm not Irish, not even a little bit. I'm full-blooded French. :) But, I certainly hope that if you're Irish, then you'll have a great day and try to be safe. :) (((Hugs))) :D

https://cagsil.hubpages.com/hub/Alcohol-Dependency...

Veronica Roberts (author) from Ohio, USA on March 01, 2012:

Hmmm... I see what you mean! I'm on a drinking hiatus for a while. I used to be a straight Jack or Jameson & craft beer kind of girl, but would drink just about anything.

Well, cheers w/ some Irish water for St. Patty's Day, my friend!! ;)

Cagsil from USA or America on March 01, 2012:

Really. I've never drank Guinness either. There's very few things with regards to alcohol that I do drink. It gives me power over alcohol because I don't have too many things in which I like to drink. LOL! You're quite welcome. :)

Veronica Roberts (author) from Ohio, USA on March 01, 2012:

Lol! Heck yes, Susan! All drinks are on me! ;) Happy St. Patrick's Day to you, too!! Cheers!

Cagsil - Really? Not even a Guinness? hehe =] Well, I still appreciate you taking the time to sift through the many layers of alcohol & for the votes & sharing!!

Cagsil from USA or America on March 01, 2012:

Hey Veronica, I have been drinking for a great many years and not once have I ever tried any Irish drink. I probably still won't but did find your hub very informative. I pinned on Pinterest under miscellaneous items board. Voted up, funny and awesome! :) Nicely written. :)

Susan Zutautas from Ontario, Canada on March 01, 2012:

This is my kind of hub! Happy St. Patrick's Day! Shooters for everyone :)