The Best Irish Food and Beer Pairings for St. Patrick's Day
If St. Patrick’s Day makes you think of plastic cups brimming with green beer and the inevitable next-day regrets, let’s raise our standards (and our glasses!). This year, skip the artificial dyes and embrace the rich, roasty, caramel-kissed goodness of Irish stouts, malty ales, and easy-drinking lagers— all paired with plenty of traditional Irish fare that will have your taste buds dancing a jig.
Pair Corned Beef and Cabbage with Irish Lager
You simply can’t celebrate March 17th without a plate of slow-braised corned beef and meltingly tender cabbage—it’s the stuff St. Patrick’s Day dreams are made of. But did you know this dish isn’t actually an Irish staple? While you’ll find hearty dishes like Irish stew in Dublin pubs, corned beef became an Irish-American classic in New York City, where immigrants discovered its rich, briny deliciousness. It’s a comfort food legend, and when paired with a crisp, easy-drinking Irish lager, the duo is nothing short of a perfect match.
Perhaps the most well-known St. Patrick’s Day food in the United States, this dish consists of cured beef brisket (called "corned" beef because the salt crystals used for curing were as large as corn kernels!) served alongside tender braised cabbage leaves.
A dish as succulent, rich, and savory as corned beef and cabbage pairs beautifully with a crisp and easy-drinking Irish lager. Lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeasts that create a delicate, clean taste, making them a great choice for cutting through the dish’s natural fattiness. If you’re looking for a good beer, try Harp Lager, Hop House 13 Lager, or O’Hara’s Craft Lager—all popular choices from Dublin-based breweries.
Try this recipe: Corned Beef and Cabbage
Pair Shepherd’s Pie with Irish Red Ale
Nothing says cozy, pub-style comfort like a golden-crusted Shepherd’s Pie, fresh from the oven and oozing with savory goodness. Traditionally made with lamb (hence the ‘Shepherd’!), this dish is rich, hearty, and totally soul-warming—just like the Irish Red Ale you should be sipping alongside it. With its toasty caramel notes and smooth finish, this beer is the hug your meal deserves.
The ultimate comfort food, Shepherd’s Pie is a beloved classic featuring meat, onions, root vegetables, and herbs in a rich gravy, baked under a golden brown mashed potato crust. Traditionally, Shepherd’s Pie was made with lamb, while the beef version was called Cottage Pie—though today, many people use the terms interchangeably. No matter the name, this hearty dish is a perfect match for an Irish Red Ale, bringing to mind cozy Irish pubs with a roaring fire and a pint of Guinness in hand.
First brewed in 1710 by the Smithwick’s brewery in Kilkenny, Irish Red Ale gets its dark color from roasted grains like unmalted roasted barley. This style of beer has a smooth caramel and toasty flavor, making it a good match for the rich, meaty flavors of Shepherd’s Pie. To stay authentic, opt for Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale or Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale—or try an American Pale Ale version from local craft breweries.
Try this recipe: Cheddar-Topped Shepherd's Pie
Pair Irish Lamb Stew with Brown Ale
A St. Patrick’s Day recipe that truly showcases the essence of Irish cuisine, Irish stew is a hearty, warming dish made with slow-cooked lamb, potatoes, stock, and root vegetables like carrots. Many modern versions add wine, but you can also make a rich and satisfying version with a type of dark beer like Brown Ale.
Since you’re using beer in the cooking process, why not sip on the same brew with your meal? A Brown Ale has a medium body, with nutty, malty sweetness, and a hint of coffee and spice, creating a perfect pairing with the earthy flavors of the stew. Some of the best Irish Brown Ales to try include Rye River Brewing Garnet, The Crafty Brewing Co. American Style Brown Ale, and Carlingford Brewing Company Irish Brown Ale.
Try this recipe: Irish Lamb Stew
Pair Irish Cheddar with IPA
Think cheese pairings are just for wine? Well-- allow me introduce you to beer and cheese— a match made in heaven. Sharp, nutty Irish cheddar, crafted from the milk of happy, grass-fed cows, is luxuriously rich with a slightly tangy bite. Pair it with a bright, hoppy IPA, and you’ve got pure magic—the IPA’s citrusy zing and pine-kissed bitterness slice right through the cheese’s creamy texture, creating a taste explosion you won’t forget
Ireland’s lush pastures and rich dairy heritage make Irish cheese some of the best in the world. Sharp cheddar, in particular, is a standout—its flavor is intensified by Ireland’s long grazing seasons and nutrient-rich grass.
An IPA (India Pale Ale) is an easy-drinking beer with bold citrus notes, piney aromas, and a dry, bitter finish. Its hoppy intensity pairs wonderfully with sharp cheddar, balancing its rich, umami-packed profile. Try an Irish IPA like McGargles' Daragh's Grapefruit Session IPA, Porterhouse IPA, or The Crafty Brewing Company Irish IPA.
Try this recipe: Scones with Pears, Irish Cheddar, and Honey
Pair Chocolate Stout Cake with Dry Irish Stout
Now, let’s talk dessert—because no St. Paddy’s Day feast is complete without something sweet. Enter: Chocolate Stout Cake, a deeply decadent treat infused with Ireland’s most famous beer. The magic of stout? Its roasty, coffee-kissed notes bring out the intensity of dark chocolate, while its malty sweetness makes every bite lusciously rich. For the ultimate indulgence, pour yourself a pint of Guinness, grab a slice, and let the creamy, chocolatey bliss transport you straight to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.
For dessert, nothing complements a rich chocolate cake like Ireland’s most famous beer—a Dry Irish Stout. The deep, roasted flavors of a stout add complexity to baked goods, bringing out flavors of cocoa, espresso, and molasses.
This hearty beer style was first perfected by Arthur Guinness, who established Guinness breweries at the Guinness Storehouse in 1759. Guinness consumption has since made it one of the fastest-growing imported beers in the world. A pint of Guinness is still the beer of choice for many on St. Paddy’s Day, but other good beer options include O’Hara’s Irish Stout, Murphy’s Irish Stout, and Beamish Irish Stout.
Try this recipe: Chocolate Stout Cupcakes
The right beer pairings can take your St. Patrick’s Day festivities to the next level. So grab a pint of Guinness, enjoy some good food, and toast to the patron saint of Ireland—because when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, finding the perfect pairing is all part of the fun.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
