Irish Apple Beer Cake & Craft Beers For St Patrick’s Day
Years ago I spent Saint Patrick’s day in Ireland. Stumbling around the city with rowdy locals, watching fireworks burst over the River Liffey. Since that night I’ve fostered a love for Ireland, her people, and her beer. There isn’t a celebration that can compare to it anywhere in the world. At its core, it’s about patriotic pride and the joy of living in a great country.
In America, we do things a bit different. The 17th of March is more about green clothing, false proclamations of Irish heritage, food dye in pale lagers, and over-consumption of both Guinness and McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes. We can do better. Just like the tradition of Corned Beef and Cabbage is more of an homage to the American-Irish than the Ireland-Irish (they never ate that), craft beer has been honoring our beer loving Irish friends for years. This year, support local craft beer, honor Ireland, and for the love of God, put down the green food dye.
Irish Inspired Craft Beers for Saint Patrick’s Day
- Michael Faricy’s Irish Stout // Arbor Brewing (Michigan)
- Irish Ale // Boulevard (Missouri)
- Irish Red // Moylan’s Brewery (California)
- Irish Death // Iron Horse Brewery (Washington)
- Irish Lager // Rogue Ales (Oregon)
- Celtic Red // Harpoon Brewery (Massachusetts)
- Irish-Style Extra Stout // Schlafly (Missouri)
- Lucky SOB Irish Red // Flying Dog (Maryland)
- The Chesty Irish Red // Legacy Brewing (California)
- Dry Irish Stout // Brooklyn Brewing (New York)
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 3 large Fuji apples, peeled and chopped
- 6 tbs melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup beer (red ale, wheat beer, pilsner, or golden lager)
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon of Whiskey (or 2 tablespoons beer)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a large bowl stir together the flour, both kinds of sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Stir in the apples, then make a well in the center.
- Add in the butter, vanilla, beer and eggs, stirring until just combined.
- Pour into a 9 inch spring form pan that has been greased.
- Bake at 350 until the center has set, 40-45 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Just prior to serving add the cream, powdered sugar and beer (or whiskey) to a stand mixer. Mix on high until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes.
- Serve cake topped with whipped cream.
Thanks so much for including our Michael Faricy’s Stout in your list! Can’t wait to try this recipe. We’re going to serve it at our breweries in Ann Arbor, MI and Bangalore, India and will be sure to credit you in the description. Cheers!
Thank you Rene!
FYI Moylans is in Northern California not North Carolina. PS thanks for the awesome blog.
Thanks Gary!
This cake looks so delicious and I love that you spiked the whipped cream! Thanks for the beer list – I’m having a St. Patrick’s Day party and needed some good craft beer ideas!
I love Irish apple cake! I’ve never tried it with beer before, and can only imagine how nice the flavour must be. Definitely need to try!
Yes to everything! To this entire post from start to finish. I can’t wait to make this. Your pictures make me really, really want to make it right this instant!
Oh, yum! I’ve never thought to add beer to an apple cake. That’s gorgeous!
I absolutely love this! I’ll make it every year.
Do you think I could substitute hard cider for beer with same delicious results?
That should probably work fine
I loved the apple beer cake! Made it for St Patrick’s day. I am going to get your cookbook! By the way, Schlafy ‘s in St Louis is the best!
I love Schlafly! I wish they distributed out here on the West Coast!