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Posted on Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 3 p.m.

The 2012 Sean Patrick Conor Flannery O'Leprechaun's Four-Leaf Clover Guide to St. Patrick's Day in Auld Anne Arbour & Environs

By David Bardallis

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Who can start their St. Patrick's Day the earliest?

David Bardallis | Contributor

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Newcomers to the green, gently rolling hills of County Washtenaw have sometimes been surprised by the enthusiasm with which we celebrate our St. Patrick's Day 'round these parts. Well, this year with the sacred beer-drinking holiday falling on a Saturday and the weather forecast calling for May, they ain't seen nothing yet.

Following is a list, by no means comprehensive (God help anyone trying to compile that), of what's up in and around Ann Arbor for St. Patrick's Day that might be interesting to the local craft beer drinker. No warranties, express or implied, are given for this list. Websites and phone numbers are provided for readers to use to make final plans.

If you're too afraid to go out but still have a morbid sense of curiosity, be sure to tune in to AnnArbor.com, who have foolishly graciously agreed to again publish my live-tweeting St. Patrick's Day adventures. Out and about? Join me in the fun with hashtag #stpata2.

ANN ARBOR


Arbor Brewing Co., 114 E. Washington


Opens

7 a.m.

Beers

Five stouts on tap: Michael Faricy's Irish Stout, Steamroller Russian Imperial Stout, Blackheath Sweet Stout, St. Pat’s Strong Stout and Espresso Love Breakfast Stout. Plus other ABC favorites like Big Ben Mild Ale and the new Roxy Rye Lager, made with 26 percent rye malt and featuring good hop balance and a reasonable 5.1 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

Food

St. Patty’s Day breakfast buffet (see below). After 11:30 a.m., Dubliner Burger, Salmon Sarnie, Irish Reuben, Beef & Mushroom Pie, Savory Vegetable Pie, Fish & Chips.

Specials

7-11 a.m.: Top o’ the Morning Party with $8 breakfast buffet (eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, fruit, and more) and happy hour pricing.

9:45 a.m.: $5 shuttle bus to the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti. Includes a beer on the bus! Departure times: 9:45, 11:15, 12:45 p.m., 2:15, 3:45, 5:15, 6:45, and 8:15.

4 p.m.: Live music from the Y-Town Hoolies. No cover.

More Info

arborbrewing.com

734-213-1393


The Arena, 203 E. Washington

Opens

10 a.m.

Beers

Twenty-four taps with Guinness and many good microbrew options, including selections from Founders, Dark Horse, Original Gravity, and more. Also many bottled options.

Food

Good, deep fried pub grub (view menu).

Specials

All day: $2 green beer, $3.50 Newcastle Brown Ale and Newcastle Founders Ale.

10 p.m.: Late-night happy hour with $2 all "domestics" and $4.25 good beer.

>> One of the stops for the Arbor Limousine St. Patrick's Day Shuttle. See the flyer for details.

More Info

thearena-a2.com

734-222-9999



Ashley’s, 338 S. State

Opens

6:30 a.m. There will be a line. A big one.

Beers

Meet Saugatuck Brewing rep Scott Farney at a 7 a.m. tapping of Maggie's Irish Ale, a blonde-style brew previously unavailable outside of the Saugatuck tap room. Also 70+ more taps of awesome at "Michigan's premier multi-tap."

Food

Breakfast (eggs, sausage, hash browns) from 6:30 until it's all gone. Irish food specials including Corned Beef Sandwich, Guinness Corned Beef Dinner, and St. Paddy's Platter (Irish egg rolls, boxty, artichoke dip) from 10:30 on.

Specials

6:30 a.m.: $10 for an Ashley’s St. Patrick's Day T-shirt and breakfast (while supplies last).

All day: $10 T-shirts; $3 green Labatt's and Jell-O shots, $3.50 Arbor Michael Faricy's Irish Stout, Arcadia Brigid's Irish Red Ale, Harpoon Celtic Ale, and Saugatuck Maggie's Irish Red Ale; $4 Guinness, $5 Irish car bombs.

>> One of the stops for the Arbor Limousine St. Patrick's Day Shuttle. See the flyer for details.

More Info

ashleys.com

734-996-9191



Bar Louie, 401 E. Liberty

Opens

7 a.m.

Beers

Forty taps, with around half usually being Michigan microbrews. 

Food

Breakfast (for pre-registered guests, see below) and other good pub grub (view menu).

Specials

7-10 a.m.: $15 Kegs and Eggs Party includes breakfast buffet, live entertainment, and a Bar Louie T-shirt. Note: You must pre-purchase at least 24 hours in advance at this link.

All day: $2 green beer, $3 Jameson, $5 Irish Car Bombs.

9 p.m.: Green and White Party with DJ Chuck "CNS" Sutton (Top 40, Hip Hop, R&B, Dance). No cover.

>> One of the stops for the Arbor Limousine St. Patrick's Day Shuttle. See the flyer for details.

More Info

Bar Louie Ann Arbor on Facebook.
734-794-3000



The Blue Leprechaun, 1220 S. University

Opens

7 a.m.

Beers

Gotta be honest: I have no idea. I think I was here once and they had something drinkable, like Sierra Nevada. They may have some Michigan beers on tap by now, too.

Food

Pub grub (burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, etc.) with some Irish-inspired dishes like Potato Leek Soup and Corned Beef (view menu).

Specials

All day: $2 green beer, $3.50 Jameson, $4 Guinness, $5 Irish Car Bombs, $5 Irish breakfast (corned beef hash with peppers, potato, and onions, topped with eggs). Or so their minimally updated website says.

More Info

theblueleprechaun.com

734-665-7777



Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery, 205 E. Washington

Opens

9 a.m.

Beers

House-brewed beers with standbys like Bearded Pig Pilsner and Bumper Crop IPA as well as two or three rotating taps. Look for Tamaltach's Irish Red Ale and Cherry Republic Stout.

Food

Barbeque-oriented fare (view menu).

Specials

Three happy hours: 9 a.m.-noon., 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.-1 a.m.

9 a.m.-4 p.m.: $8 Northern Irish breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausage, potato farls, tomato).

4 p.m.-midnight: Corned Pork and Cabbage Dinner and Braised Beef Beer Irish Stew.

All day: $5 Stumbling Leprechaun Punch.

>> Come back Sunday, March 18, for the St. Baldrick's fundraiser for children's cancer (curing, not causing) at 1 p.m. when Blue Tractor partner Greg Lobdell gets his gorgeous locks shorn for the cause. Check it out here.

More Info

bluetractor.net/bta/annarbor

734-222-4095



Buffalo Wild Wings, 205 S. State

Opens

7 a.m.

Beers

Guinness, Founders Red's Rye PA, and other macro and macro-micro (think Sam Adams) brews on tap

Food

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

Specials

7-9 a.m.: $1 Jell-O shots, $2 green beers, and free green eggs and ham, while supplies last. Free T-shirt for the first 100 people in the door.

More Info

Buffalo Wild Wings Ann Arbor on Facebook

734-997-9143

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Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main

Note: There is a $10 cover charge to enter. You will get a wristband that enables you to leave and come back. Your $10 otherwise entitles you to this.

Opens

7 a.m.

Beers

A decent mix of macro and micro brews, served in imperial (20-ounce) pint glasses.

Food

Irish breakfast, Irish Boxties, Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and more (view menu).

Specials

All day: Unspecified drink specials, live music, bagpipers, and Irish dancers.

>> One of the stops for the Arbor Limousine St. Patrick's Day Shuttle. See the flyer for details.

More Info

www.conoroneills.com
734-665-2968



Fraser's Pub, 2045 Packard

Opens

8:30 a.m.

Beers

Sixteen taps of macro and microbrews, including New Holland The Poet Stout, Bell's Hopslam Ale, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Arcadia Hop Rocket Imperial IPA and, of course, Guinness.

Food

Breakfast available (view menu), along with lunch and dinner fare including salads, sandwiches, and burgers (view menu) .

Specials

Noon: Serving Slow-Roasted Corned Beef.

More Info

fraserspubaa.com

734-665-1955



Grizzly Peak Brewing Co., 120 W. Washington

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 like Little Giant Lager and Amarillo Shamrock Irish Amber Ale.

Food

Delicious. Corned Beef and Cabbage on special all day (view menus: lunch | dinner).

Specials

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

grizzlypeak.net

734-741-7325



Wolverine State Brewing, 2019 W. Stadium

Opens

Noon

Beers

Fantastic stuff from the recently released Hopstadt Altbier to Gulo Noir Black IPA. Two special brews for the day: St. James Infirmary Dry Irish Stout and Snakes on a Shamrock Irish Red Lager.

Food

Carry-in or enjoy a menu of corned beef and other Irish type stuff beginning at 3.

Specials

8:30 p.m.: Live music from Creole du Nord. No cover.

More Info

wolverinebeer.com

734-369-2990



YPSILANTI



Aubree’s Saloon, 39 E. Cross

Opens

11 a.m.

Beers

Decent draft selection, including Saugatuck Singapore IPA, Bell's Two Hearted Ale, Frog Island Amber Ale, Keeweenaw Widow Maker Black Ale and others. More Michigan beers by the bottle.

Food

Pizza! And other good food (view menu).

Specials

All day: specials on Guinness, Jameson, and Black and Tans (prices unconfirmed).

>> The rooftop tiki bar is open!

More Info

www.aubrees.com

734-483-1870



Corner Brewery, 720 Norris

Opens

7 a.m.

Beers

Four stouts on tap, including Michael Faricy's Irish Stout, Espresso Love Breakfast Stout, Six Year Potato Stout and High King Imperial Stout, plus other swell Corner brews.

Food

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

Specials

7-11 a.m.: Top o’ the Morning Party with $8 (or just $6 with this coupon) all-you-can-cat breakfast buffet (eggs, corned beef hash, bagels, fruit, Lucky Charms, coffee, and orange juice) and happy hour pricing.

9 a.m.: $5 shuttle bus to Arbor Brewing in Ann Arbor. Includes a beer on the bus! Departure times:  9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

4-7 p.m.: Happy hour.

7 p.m.: Live music from Kevin and the Glen Levens and Deep Space Six (at 10:30). No cover.

>> The beer garden is open!

More Info

arborbrewing.com/brewery

734-480-2739



Sidetrack Bar & Grill, 56 E. Cross

Opens

11 a.m.

Beers

No green beer. But you can get Short's Black Cherry Porter and plenty of other local and Michigan craft brews on tap.

Food

Homemade Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Soda Bread and Potato Leek Soup, Shepherd's Pie,

Specials

All Day: $2 Jameson shots from the whiskey fountain, $3 Guinness and Black and Tans, Guinness floats, and Ugly Mug Irish coffees. Live music from bagpipers, Nick Bertsos, and other tunesmiths throughout the day. No cover.

Midnight: Free raffle of fabulous prizes and groovy giveaways.

More Info

www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com

734-483-1035



SOUTH LYON



Lake Street Tavern, 127 E. Lake

Opens

9 a.m.

Beers

Solid lineup of local and Michigan beers: Arcadia Brigid's Irish Ale, Angler's Ale, and Starboard Stout; Midland Brewing Dublin Street Stout; MillKing It BRIK Irish Red; Dragonmead Erik the Red; Short's Uncle Steve's Irish Stout; Arbor Michael Faricy's Irish Stout; plus cider from Northville Winery.

Food

Breakfast chow while it lasts, lunch specials include Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Stew, Corned Beef Sandwiches, and Reubens, plus the regular menu (view here).

Specials

9-10 a.m.: $1 green beer and $3 Michigan drafts (then $1.50 and $3.50 after 10 a.m. and $2 and $4 from 11 to close).

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: $2 bottles of McSorley's Ale and Smithwick's ($2.50 from 3 to close).
All day: $2.75 Guinness (cans), $5 Irish Car Bombs.

More Info

lakestreettavern.com

248-446-8898



Witch's Hat Brewing, 22235 Pontiac Trail

Opens

10 a.m.

Beers

The popular Holy Confusion Barleywine returns for a St. Patrick's release and four small-batch stouts will also be released: Jamalamadingdong (breakfast stout aged on Equadorian cocoa nibs), Tuscan Coffee Stout (brewed with coffee from South Lyon's Tuscan Cafe), Blackberry Oatmeal Stout (stout re-fermented with fresh blackberries), and Irish Dry Stout.

Food

Carry-in only, but there are many nearby options.

Specials

All day: $1 Baseline Bitter Ales. Also raffle drawings throughout the day with prizes including shirts, hoodies, pint glasses, gift certificates, and three lifetime Mug Club memberships. The three Mug Club drawings will be at 11 a.m., 5 p.m., and 11 p.m., with the last one including a hand-blown custom mug. Raffle tickets are $10 each and on sale at the pub now.

More Info

witchshatbrewing.com/

248-486-2595



PLYMOUTH



Liberty Street Brewing, 149 W. Liberty

Opens

10 a.m.

Beers

Starkweather Stout, Burnout Stout, Rocket Porter, and other great Liberty brews on tap.

Food

Limited menu of snacks.

Specials

$10 for Corned Beef and Cabbage and a Starkweather Stout, while supplies last.

1 p.m.: VIP brewery tour for Michigan Brewers Guild Enthusiast Members. RSVP to joe@libertystreetbeer.com.

More Info

libertystreetbeer.com

734-207-9600



MILAN



Original Gravity Brewing, 440 County

Opens

11:30 a.m.

Beers

Five stouts on tap: Lumpy Oatmeal Stout (nitro) plus small batches of Coffee Stout, English Dry Stout, Imperial Chocolate Mint Stout, and Milk Stout.

Food

Homemade Irish Beer Stew (made with Oatmeal Stout) and Corned Beef Sandwiches on Beer Bread from the Erie Bread Co., while supplies last.

Specials

It's all special.

More Info

ogbrewing.com

734-439-7490


David Bardallis is a freelance writer and editor, blogger, bon vivant, and man about town. Visit “All the Brews Fit to Pint” at AnnArborBeer.com, follow @allthebrews on Twitter, or join the "All the Brews Fit to Pint" Facebook page. Email your beer-related thoughts to annarborbeer@gmail.com.

Comments

Patti Smith

Fri, Mar 16, 2012 : 2:15 a.m.

Great job, D! I am sure I will see you out and about on that very special day--my birthday! Oh yeah, and something about a saint and snakes?

Patti Smith

Fri, Mar 16, 2012 : 2:14 a.m.

Great job, D! I am sure I will see you out and about on that very special day--my birthday! Oh yeah, and something about a saint and snakes?

Ignatz

Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.

David, A great job with the list. Thanks loads!

Cavern Clubs

Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 8:22 p.m.

Happy St Patty's Day!!! from www.cavernclubannarbor.com