You don’t have to have an ounce of Irish in you to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But you should probably like beer, as this event is the number-one beer-drinking holiday in the United States, according to WalletHub. Though some brands still use animal byproducts like gelatin and isinglass to clarify beer, these days its easier than ever to find vegan-friendly options—so don’t fret if you’re worried you’ll miss out on the holiday. Just check the VegNews Guide to Vegan Beer or every vegan’s favorite alcohol resource: Barnivore. If you’re a Trader’s Joe’s addict, we’ve already got you covered. This year, the grocery chain is spotlighting three vegan beers nationwide to get you in that Irish spirit. We’re also sharing our favorite meal and snack pairings to help make your celebration complete.
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1. Guinness
No beer says Irish more than Guinness, which is headquartered in Dublin. A whopping 13 million pints of Guinness will be drunk worldwide on this international holiday, and the good news is that whether you’re drinking it from a bottle, can, or keg, a recent change in the brewery’s filtration system has made Guinness suitable for vegans. Just make sure you serve it correctly by using what Guinness calls the two-part pour: After chilling the beer for at least three hours, pour it into a glass tilted at 45 degrees until it’s three-quarters full. Wait until the “surge” (aka the rush of bubbles) settles and then finish filling your glass.
Try it with: Trader Joe’s Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, Jerk-Style Plantain Chips, or Beef-less Ground Beef
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2. Smithwick’s Red Ale
This Irish red ale-style beer is Ireland’s most consumed ale, which means you’ll be in good company when you sip this. It is also easily identifiable by its distinctive ruby red color. Although the brewery dates back over 300 years, it was purchased by Guinness in 1965. Just don’t make the mistake of pronouncing it incorrectly. If you want to be true to the Irish, you’ll call it “smid-dicks.”
Try it with: Trader Joe’s Vegan Mac, Sriracha Flavored Baked Tofu, or the Super Burrito
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3. Stockyard Oatmeal Stout
This beer may not scream St. Patrick’s Day, but if you want an American option as an alternative to Guinness, this one’s for you. The Trader Joe’s branded beer even has a creamy mouth feel. Heck, if you wanted, you could start the day off by sipping this for breakfast. It’s oatmeal, after all … right?
Try it with: Trader Joe’s Vegan Jackfruit Cakes, Yellow Jackfruit Curry with Jasmine Rice, or Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Karen Asp is the author of Anti-Aging Hacks and award-winning journalist, as well as a fitness pro certified in plant-based nutrition, world record-holding athlete (in Nordic walking), and a vegan mentor with PETA.
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