Saint Patrick’s Day is around the corner, and we can’t wait! Back by popular demand, on Sunday, March 17, we will have all-you-can-eat Corned Beef ‘n’ Cabbage for only $11.99 AND $1.50 GREEN BEER! Mark your calendars and get ready for a fun-filled day of green festivities! Who knew your favorite neighborhood seafood spot also would host one of the Bradenton area’s top St. Patrick’s Day celebrations?
But why is it customary to serve Corned Beef, Cabbage and Green Beer on St. Patrick’s Day in America? Is it Irish tradition… or an American one?
We’ll start with Corned Beef and Cabbage. Corned Beef is a cut of meat similar to brisket that has been salt-cured. The term “corned” comes from large grained rock salt called “corns” that are used in the salting process. But, get this, Corned Beef and Cabbage isn’t actually a traditional Irish dish at all…here’s why:
In Ireland, cattle was very expensive. Cows were extremely important for milk and dairy production in farming, so until they were old or injured, cows weren’t used for beef. Pork was the cheaper substitution, and Ireland’s preferred meat until the Irish started immigration to the United States, where in contrast, beef was inexpensive! The Irish then switched from pork to beef to get more bang for their buck!
So now, why the cabbage? You probably guessed it…cabbage was the more cost-efficient choice. The entire dish was cooked in one pot so it was quick, easy, and don’t forget – delicious!
Now for the real moment of truth…is green beer a true Irish tradition? NOPE. Green beer is actually a term that brewers used (and still use today) to describe beer that has not been fully fermented. It contains acetaldehyde, which tastes bad and can make you sick. So yeah, cut to the chase, why the heck do we drink green beer on Saint Patty’s Day then if it’s not an Irish tradition?
Around 1914, Professor Thomas H. Curtin was participating in Saint Patty’s Day festivities where everything was green around him, except the booze. Dr. Curtin then presented his homemade green beer to a group of people in New York. One of the people in that group happened to be a reporter from The Evening Independent and asked the doctor, how? He explained it was simple, he used one drop of Wash Blue and just like that green beer is now a staple that will continue forever (hopefully, we love it).
So in conclusion, we’re totally here for the Irish-American “tradition” of Corned Beef and Cabbage, and today’s green beer can still make you sick…if you drink too much of it.
Don’t forget to visit us on March 17th for $11.99 Corned Beef ‘n’ Cabbage and $1.50 green beer!
