Everything’s coming up green: Review of New Canadian Non Alcoholic Beers

It’s the ‘luck o’ the Irish’ because these delicious AF beers are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day

Not only does green represent the coming of spring and rebirth, it’s also the colour of St. Patrick’s Day when we all become a little Irish – even if it’s just for one day a year, March 17. 

On tap – or is that in a can – to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day are three selections from Rival House, and one each from Rally and Libra.

First up, and perfectly fitting for St. Paddy’s Day is the Libra Stout. It’s rich, nutty in flavour and pours pretty dark – everything you’d expect in a proper stout. A creamy head that quickly disappears, which is not what you might be used to in a stout. Not as thick as traditional stouts, but the depth in flavour and smooth mouthfeel give you what you want int a stout. An ideal pairing with a hearty Irish stew, BBQ ribs, and any chocolatey dessert.

Next up is a trifecta of non-alcoholic beers from Rival House: Amber Lager, Pale Ale and an IPA. All three are true to their specific styles, but let’s get down to business:

The malt is heavy on the nose and the palette with the Amber Lager, imparting a beguiling sweetness. Rusty amber in colour plays visually with the natural earthy taste and hoppy notes. A very nice beer to pair with a medium Irish cheddar, a grilled chicken sandwich (with bacon), as well as fruity desserts like a flan or … wait for it … an apple fritter. The malt also works with a sweet Irish soda bread.

The Hazy IPA has a nice bouquet of sweetness with tropical notes of pineapple and mango. A flavour punch that mellows nicely. Pouring a hazy dark orange, it’s surprisingly light and not overly hoppy. A balanced New England style IPA, it’s juicy with flavours of sweet bread, which makes it a create pairing with spiced sweet bread desserts. But, before dessert come some mains like fish tacos with a squeeze of lemon or spicy Indian dishes.

A wonderful honey-lemon aroma works nicely with the tropical citrus flavours, which deepens the overall Pale Ale experience. Pouring a golden orange with a nice frothy white head, you get the necessary hoppy notes that make this a great pale ale. A perfect match for pub food like pizza (spicy, preferably), burgers and wings. You can even give grilled salmon or fish and chips a go.

And finally, Dry Run Pale Ale from Rally. The “all pop, no wobble” slogan is accurate for this very easy-drinking beer. Packed with flavour, it pours hazy gold, with a fruity floral aroma. Hoppy notes are there, but not too prominent allowing for the subtilties of the beer to come through. A very nice go-to beer that pairs well with the pale ale recommendations already noted, but for the sake of being unique Dry Run works nicely with Mexican food, in particular beef or chicken tacos.

Irish or not, on March 17 grab a few of these AF beers. Jump on the internet and click your way around to find some flavours and styles you want to try – and if you can find some Irish dishes you want to try go for it. Beers, not just wine, should also be enjoyed with food.