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Posted on Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 1:44 p.m.

The local beer drinker's guide to St. Patrick's Day

By David Bardallis

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Just a few of your St. Patty's Day stout selections at Arbor Brewing Co., 114 E. Washington.

David Bardallis | Contributor

So many bars, so many beers, and only one St. Patrick’s Day. What’s a poor thirsty bloke to do?


Fear not! To help make the most of your holiday, your correspondent has put together — with the help of a magical green little person with a funny accent — a list of doings at local establishments in honor of the feast day of him who drove the snakes out of Ireland and converted a whiskey and beer-loving people to Catholicism, the drinking man’s religion.* The list is organized alphabetically by opening time, if that makes sense.

* OK, the Lutherans have a good claim to this designation, too.

Two caveats: This list is by no means comprehensive; rather, it’s a representative sampling of where to go around town for good beer, good specials and good fun. Also, no warranty, express or implied, is given regarding the accuracy of this list. Owing to ever-changing plans, conflicting reports, and various other pitfalls of trying to get information out of hard-working bar and brewery staff, some details may be off. Phone numbers for each establishment are included so you can always call ahead to confirm or disconfirm your suspicions.

Bonus! If you’re stuck at the office for the day, instead of working you should point your browser to AnnArbor.com, where your correspondent will be liveblogging St. Patty’s Day for your vicarious entertainment and bitter envy.

Friendly reminder: It’s a marathon, not a sprint! Keep well hydrated, take sips not gulps, and, to keep that good karma going, every now and then buy a stranger a pint. Especially if the stranger is wearing a funny hat and fumbling with an iPhone to send updates about his whereabouts to a local news organization.

Enough of that. Without further ado, here is…

Sean Patrick Conor Flannery O’Leprechaun’s Four-Leaf Clover Guide to St. Patrick’s Day in Auld Anne Arbour & Environs

Ashley’s, 338 S. State, Ann Arbor

Opens
6:30 a.m.

Beers
Ashley’s is Ann Arbor’s oldest and most famous beer bar with 70+ taps and a similarly insane number of bottled beers. Two special St. Patty’s taps are Arcadia Ales’ Brigid’s Irish Red Ale and Arbor Brewing’s Faricy Fest Irish Stout. (If whiskey’s your thing, Ashley’s has a lot of the brown liquid, too.)

Food
Fairly standard pub grub and a special St. Patty’s breakfast buffet (see below).

Specials
6:30-9:30 a.m.: $10 gets you access to the breakfast buffet and an Ashley’s T-shirt.

All day: $10 t-shirts, $4 Guinness, $3 green Labatt’s and Jell-O shots.

More Info
www.ashleys.com
734-996-9191

Arbor Brewing Co., 114 E. Washington, Ann Arbor

Opens
7 a.m.

Beers
Five ABC stouts on tap: Faricy Fest Irish Stout, Steamroller Russian Imperial Stout, Blackheath Sweet Stout, St. Pat’s Strong Stout, Espresso Love Breakfast Stout. Plus other ABC favorites like Huxell Best Bitter, Red Snapper Amber Ale, and Big Ben Mild Ale.

19 bottled stouts (from March 11’s stout tasting) while they last: Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout, Bell's Double Cream Stout, Bell's Java Stout, Lion Stout, Sierra Nevada Stout, Erie Drake’s Crude, New Holland Old Poet Stout , Dark Horse Cream Stout , Dark Horse Blueberry Stout, Dark Horse Smoked Stout, Coopers Best Extra Stout, Left Hand Milk Stout, Brooklyn Brewing Black Chocolate, Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout, Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout, Great Lakes Blackout Stout, Rogue Chocolate Stout , Rogue Shakespeare Stout, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout.

For whiskey drinkers, Arbor is featuring two special for St. Patty’s Day: Midleton Rare and Jameson 12 Year.

Food
St. Patty’s Day breakfast buffet (see below). After 11:30 a.m., Potato Leek Boxties, Bangers & Mash, Irish Beef Stew, Porter Vegetable Stew, Dubliner Burger, Corned Beef Reuben, Irish Coffee Brownies and Irish Sundaes.

Specials
7-11 a.m.: Top o’ the Morning Party with breakfast buffet and happy hour pricing.

4-7 p.m.: After Work Party with happy hour pricing and live Celtic music from the Killarney Broadcast.

More Info
www.arborbrewing.com
734-213-1393

Buffalo Wild Wings, 205 S. State, Ann Arbor

Opens
7 a.m.

Beers
Guinness, Killian’s, Bass, and Woodchuck Cider on tap, among others.

Food
Green eggs and ham (see below), wings (duh), and assorted other pub grub.

Specials
7 a.m. - ?: Free green eggs and ham while they last.

3-6 p.m.: $3 pints of any draft beer.

All day: $3.50 drafts (23 oz.) of green Coors Light.

More Info
www.buffalowildwings.com
(734) 997-9143

Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main, Ann Arbor

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David Bardallis | Contributor

Opens
7 a.m.

Beers
The usual suspects: Guinness, Murphy’s, Smithwick’s, Harp, Bass, etc.

Food
Traditional Irish breakfast, Irish Boxties, Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and more.

Specials
Rotating hourly drink specials ($1 or more off Guinness, Jameson, Irish car bombs, etc.).

All day: live music from the Diggers, bagpipers, and Irish dancers.

(What’s the atmosphere like? Read this article about St. Patty’s Day at Conor O’Neill’s from last year.)

More Info
www.conoroneills.com
734-665-2968

Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsilanti

Opens
7 a.m.

Beers
Five small-batch stouts on tap: Espresso Love Breakfast Stout (w/ coffee and oatmeal), Adam's Raspberry Cracklin’ Oat Bran Stout, Mike's Oatmeal Stout, Lucky Charms Stout, Oops All Berries Stout, Michael Faricy’s Irish Stout. Plus other favorites like Brasserie Blonde, Red Snapper Amber Ale and Ypsi Gypsi Pale Ale.

Food
Breakfast buffet (see below) and various St. Patrick’s Day specials.

Specials
7-11 a.m.: Top o’ the Morning Party with all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet (fruit, bagels, corn beef hash, Lucky Charms, etc.) and happy hour pricing.

4-7 p.m.: Happy hour.

7-10 p.m.: Live music from Scotty Karate.

More Info
www.cornerbrewery.com
(734) 480-2739

Bar Louie, 401 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor

Opens
8 a.m.

Beers
After Ashley’s, Bar Louie may have the most taps in town (40). Lots of Michigan microbrews, including for St. Patty’s Day Arbor Brewing's Faricy Fest Irish Stout and Arcadia Ales’ Brigid Irish Red Ale.

Food
“Kegs and eggs” brunch menu and other good pub grub.

Specials
All day drinks: $5 Naughty Irish School Girl Cocktails and Irish Car Bombs, $4 pints of Guinness and shots of Jameson, $3 drafts (20 oz.) of green Bud and Bud Light.

All day food: $5 reuben sliders (4) and fish sandwiches, $1 cups of Guinness cheese soup.

More Info
www.restaurants-america.com/barlouie
734-794-3000

Whole Foods Market, 990 W. Eisenhower, Ann Arbor

Opens
8 a.m.

Beers
On tap: Arbor Brewing’s Faricy Fest Irish Stout and Arcadia Ales’ Brigid’s Irish Red Ale.

In bottles: Guinness and Murphy’s Irish stouts (pub draught cans), Smithwick’s, Harp, and Great Lakes Brewing’s Conway Irish Ale.

Food
It’s a grocery store — bet you can find something!

Specials
Happy hour all day: $3 draft pours, $2 a pour from the bottles and cans.

More Info
www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/cranbrook
734-997-7500

Aubree’s Saloon, 39 E. Cross, Ypsilanti

Opens
10 a.m.

Beers
A number of taps, including Michigan microbrew favorites.

Food
Corned Beef and Cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips, Guinness Beef Stew, as well as the pizza, calzones and other great pub grub Aubree’s is known for.

Specials
All day: $4 Guinness and Black and Tans (20 oz.), $4 Irish car bombs, Jameson and Bushmill’s shots, $2.75 green Miller Lite (20 oz.).

Noon-3 p.m.: Live Irish music.

3-6 p.m.: $3 Michigan beers.

The rooftop tiki bar is open!

More Info
www.aubrees.com
734-483-1870

The Arena, 203 E. Washington, Ann Arbor

Opens
11 a.m.

Beers
Twenty-four taps with Guinness and many good microbrew options, and, as server Aimee Bingham would say, “all the NASCAR beers.” Paulaner Hefeweizen is Beer of the Month ($3 pints). Also many bottled options.

Food
Good pub grub with various specials throughout the week.

Specials
All day: $2 green Miller Lites, $4 Guinness, and $1 green Jell-O shots.

Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

More Info
www.thearena-a2.com
734-222-9999

Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery, 205 E. Washington, Ann Arbor

Opens
11 a.m.

Beers
Currently on rotation: East Bound and Brown Ale, Sweetwater Java Stout (made with coffee from local java joint Sweetwaters).

Food
Many choices from burgers, sandwiches, and salads to pulled pork, ribs, and beef brisket. Check out their special Bourbon Month menu.

Specials
Happy hour: 3-6 p.m.; 10 p.m. to midnight, half off all pints.

More Info
www.bluetractor.net/annarbor/
734-222-4095

Grizzly Peak Brewing Co., 120 W. Washington, Ann Arbor

Opens
11 a.m.

Beers
All your favorite Grizzly standbys like Steelhead Red, Victors’ Golden Ale, and County Cork Irish Stout as well as rotating specials Amarillo Shamrock Irish Amber Ale and Little Giant Lager.

Food
Shepherd’s Pie, Fish Cakes, Dublin Cabbage Rolls, and more on their special IrishFest menu.

Specials
Enjoy a GP beer served in a limited-edition pint glass for $5, keep the glass, and get it refilled for just $3 through March 26.

Happy hour 11 p.m.-2 a.m.: If you can last that long, one of the best happy hours happens in the Grizzly Peak Den: $2.50 for pints.

More Info
www.grizzlypeak.net
734-741-7325

Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery, 311 S. Main, Ann Arbor

Opens
11 a.m.

Beers
There is nothing remotely Irish about Jolly Pumpkin’s beers, but at least there is a stout of sorts on tap right now, Madrugada Obscura.

Food
There will be special lamb, salmon, and potato dishes in addition to the regular Jolly Pumpkin menu.

Specials
Happy hour: 4-6 p.m. Other than that, it’s rumored brewer Ron Jeffries has taken his family and fled to Hawaii until all of this St. Patrick’s Day tomfoolery has blown over.

More Info
www.jollypumpkin.com/annarbor
734-913-2730

Old Town Tavern, 122 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor

Opens
11 a.m.

Beers
Guinness and a whole lotta Bell’s: Two Hearted, Amber, Best Brown, and two more rotating Bell’s taps (last seen: Porter and Batch 9,000).

Food
A step or two above pub grub!

Specials
Happy hour: 4-6 p.m. with Bell’s pints $3.65 (Two-Hearted $3.95)

More Info
www.oldtownaa.com
734-662-9291

Sidetrack Bar & Grill, 56 E. Cross, Ypsilanti

Opens
11 a.m.

Beers
NO GREEN BEER. But you can get Guinness, Arbor Brewing’s Faricy Fest Irish Stout, and Great Lakes Brewing’s Edmund Fitzgerald Porter on tap, amongst other good brews.

Food
Homemade Corned Beef and Cabbage and Potato Leek Soup, along with Sidetrack’s famous Beer Battered Pickles, burgers, and other yummy favorites.

Specials
All day: $3 pints of ALL DRAFTS, live bagpipers, giveaways, and live "Irishgrass" music from Dragon Wagon.

Enter to win a raffle for a free dinner, free beer for a month, a wine lover’s basket, free tickets to the next Beer and Burger Tasting, and more. (Raffle proceeds benefit the historic Ypsilanti Freighthouse.)

More Info
www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com
734-483-1035

Original Gravity Brewing Co., 440 County, Milan

Opens
11:30 a.m.

Beers
OG favorites including Belgian Training Wheels, Southpaw IPA, and County Street Amber and rotating tap Sean of the Red Irish Ale.

Food
Sandwiches, snacks, and beef stew made with OG’s Primordial Porter, while it lasts.

Specials
Happy hour: 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

More Info
www.ogbrewing.com
734-439-7490

David Bardallis is a freelance writer and editor, blogger, bon vivant, and man about town. Visit his Web site, DavidBardallis.com, to engage his services or read his latest. Email your beer-related thoughts to annarborbeer@gmail.com, follow @dbardallis on Twitter, or join the "All the Brews Fit to Pint" Facebook page.

Comments

David Bardallis

Wed, Mar 17, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.

Sansdieties, we sure will miss your cheery presence out here! Tii, you are correct... except you're not. I posted this on Monday.;)

Tii

Wed, Mar 17, 2010 : 9:31 a.m.

This is good info. Problem is you provided it on the day of the events!!! Can't do breakfast as did not have enough notice. Hard to make plans with friends when the information given did not give enough lead time. Better luck next year or for other events?

Sansdeities

Wed, Mar 17, 2010 : 8:02 a.m.

Thanks for reminding me to stay off the roads on this drunken orgy day. What a legacy for a so called saint, a road map to getting sloshed.

Atticus F.

Tue, Mar 16, 2010 : 3:15 p.m.

The real party is on South U!!! Although I guess it depends on what your idea of fun is...Mine being Irish car bombs and green beer at 7:00am, in the company of drunken college girls.

Phil Dokas

Tue, Mar 16, 2010 : 12:09 p.m.

Ah Dave, you got me there and I'll happily concede the point!

treetowncartel

Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 11:05 p.m.

Ah, amteur day day at the bar, full of people who don't know their limitations or how to properly tip the staff. I could go and on with having to take care of these nubile patrons, but why digress. Ann Arbor even has its own marijuana version of this, the Hash Bash. I'll be enjoying a nice Dog Fish head 60 or 90 minute IPA at home after dinner out with the family. I'd tell you where I am going but I don't want one of the best places in town for some good corned beef and cabbage getting overun by amateurs!Its much better to be surrounded by professionals who have made it a career. Thanks for the article David, you are always timely.

David Briegel

Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 9:49 p.m.

The Muehlig's viewing for my Grandmother was on St Patrick's day and aftersards the men in our family gathered at Stadium Tavern. Her four sons, two grandsons and several others toasted green beer and green Schnaaps to our dear mother and grandmother. One of her caregivers happened to be there and made the evening even more memorable as we swapped stories. We were all certain that she would approve!

David Briegel

Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 8:47 p.m.

Phil, Please go to work. Stadium Tavern The Evergreen Court Tavern Halfway House

David Bardallis

Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 6:34 p.m.

Phil, thanks for the history lesson -- old pics especially are always fascinating to look at to see how things have (or haven't) changed. I wasn't claiming Ashley's was the oldest "bar" in Ann Arbor, but the oldest "beer bar" by which I meant -- and probably ought to have said -- "multitap beer bar." Basically, the idea is Ashley's had tons of beers on tap before anyone else.

Phil Dokas

Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 4:34 p.m.

Actually, Ann Arbor's oldest bar is not Ashley's. Famous maybe, but oldest no. That honor goes to another bar mentioned here: Old Town. There has been a bar at that location all the way back to 1898. Called The Bismarck, it last even through Prohibition before later becoming The Union Bar, then finally in 1972, becoming Old Town which it's been ever since. More history is available here: http://www.oldtownaa.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11. Ashley's does have a long history of former bars at its location (including The Parrot which you can see in an old print hanging on the wall in the raised portion of the restaurant), but it hasn't been in continuous operation since 1898. Gallaghan & Co. Books (sp?), 1912: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70251312@N00/2078945321/ Campus Lunch & Slater's Books, c. 1920s: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70251312@N00/2047700276/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/70251312@N00/2261068603/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/70251312@N00/2079826290/ The Parrot, 1935: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70251312@N00/2058547478/ 1945: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70251312@N00/2349204386/ 1960: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70251312@N00/2098867400/ Sorry for the digression, but collecting all the history of things in one place seems to be a fine thing to do for posterity!

Dan

Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 3:59 p.m.

Goose Island Bourbon Stout - tasted it at ABC last week. Oh man!

Jack

Mon, Mar 15, 2010 : 3:52 p.m.

Now that's what I call good investigative reporting :-) Happy St. Paddy's!