So how was your St. Patrick's Day?

As long as you aren't that couple that I saw meandering (to put it kindly) through oncoming traffic on Forest Ave by the 295 overpass, sporting shiny green bowlers and 3lbs of green flashing beads around 1PM (assumedly having come from Bubba's or Ricky's and headed for..... oh I don't know - down 295 on foot toward Brunswick maybe - I'd love to hear from you.

A good day for all, I trust. In aforementioned typical March fashion, mine was chock full of varying activities and responsibilities, some conflicting and some related. March is just crazy, it's an overlapping of sports seasons, weather patterns, beer styles, and emotional states (seasonal affective disorder meets spring fever).

Have I mentioned that the Red Sox open one week from tomorrow at 4:05PM?

Anyway, the overnight snowstorm was likely a rough start for many - hopefully the fine establishments that rely on that day's wages weren't hit too hard. I myself was a much later than is traditional arrival to Brian Boru. It was of course still worth the effort, and played out just fine in the end. Great company, great music, great food, and great drink - Guinness Stout (I kind of wish they still had Murphy's too) and Magner's Cider. It's all that I ask.

I REALLY wanted to get over to Gritty McDuff's for some of their small batch pours only available, well pretty much right now - Irish Red Ale (or IRA, very clever) and Strong Oatmeal Stout (or SOS, to continue w/ the acronyms), but just couldn't pull it off with the short window that I had. They were also going to have the Kora Temple Bagpipers in for a blow, which would have been a treat. Love to hear from anyone that got to hear those with a pint of IRA or SOS in their hand. If you did, who was better than you last Saturday? No one, that's who.

My good friend dragged me out of Brian Boru for a few minutes to meet a friend of his over at Rivalries. Rivalries? Dude, it's St. Patrick's Day not Opening Day. Nonetheless, I gave in - only to walk in with one minute left in regulation of the Ohio State/Xavier game. That was almost one of the biggest upsets in NCAA tourney history. Almost. So that became a worthwhile stop at least. Back to Boru for one more and a quick dose of live music befitting the day, and then home to prior commitment, more responsible type plans for the evening. Kind of had that Thanksgiving Day feel for me this year - a few hours of early revelry and then on to more responsible fare (kind of).

Oh, and did I mention that the Red Sox open one week from tomorrow at 4:05PM? I can't remember.

And while I'm on the sports thing (this is more like sports blog than beer blog at this point) - I completely retract my lamenting over the fate of the UMaine hockey team. From 'probably won't even get a bid to the NCAA tournament' to Frozen Four bound in one week. Wow. I'm truly amazed and fired up. Go Black Bears.

Anyone remember way back when we had that sweet Public Market in our fair city? It's 2006 demise was a significant urban tragedy. Well, have you been to the new Public Market House at the top of the hill in 28 Monument Square? A few of the vendors from the Public Market have banded together to carry on the vision of a public market in the City of Portland. One of them was one of my favorite vendors in the original Market - Maine Beer & Beverage Co. They have specialty, rare brews from all over, AND they let you build your own 6-pack for $7.49. It's a great way to broaden your sampling of all the great beer that's out there. Check it out.

I'll close on all reference to St. Patricks' Day with an old Irish recipe for longevity: Leave the table hungry. Leave the bed sleepy. Leave the bar thirsty.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure I mentioned it - but the Red Sox open one week from tomorrow at 4:05PM.

Where to go to watch that, and what refreshments to have? Any thoughts?

Slainte Mhath,

Scott Dutton

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