Ann Arbor-area bars and stores ready to generate green from St. Patrick's Day celebrations
Rich Walters, specialty department team leader at Whole Foods Market at Cranbrook Village in Ann Arbor, draws a beer at the store's beer and wine counter. Whole Foods was offering two Irish beers on tap recently in honor of St. Patrick's Day, including locally brewed Arbor Brewing Co.'s award-winning Michael Faricy's Stout.
Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com
Retailers have Christmas. Florists have Valentine’s Day. And bars and restaurants have St. Patrick’s Day, one of their busiest days of the year.
With early hours, drinks with names like Irish Car Bomb, breakfast buffets and special menus, Ann Arbor-area registers ring green from early dawn to late night.
“It’s one of our top two busiest days of the year, with New Year’s Eve being the other,” said Renee Schantz, general manager of Arbor Brewing Co. in downtown Ann Arbor. “It’s huge.”
Many bars and pubs roll out the green carpet: They open at dawn, bring in live bands, offer Irish grub such as corned beef and cabbage and boxties, a traditional Irish potato pancake. Guinness flows like spring snow melt. And yes, some serve green beer, although local demand appears to be waning as tastes become more refined.
Arbor Brewing expects to see triple the traffic of a normal busy Thursday, Schantz said. The pub will open at 7 a.m. — regular opening is 11:30 a.m. — and will kick off with a breakfast buffet. The early crowd is usually younger than Arbor Brewing’s regulars, Schantz said. They expect a couple hundred of these early birds.
Jerome Higgins, a manager of Ashley’s multi-tap on South State Street, seconded that.
Ashley’s opens at 6:30 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, drawing a mostly younger University of Michigan student crowd. Last year, when he arrived at work at 5:30 a.m., about 60 customers were waiting in a line that snaked down the block.
“While we’re right next to campus, we’re generally not a college bar. Our beers are fancier and pricier. But on St. Patrick’s Day, college kids come in, do a few shots or a few beers and move on to the next bar,” Higgins said.
The day, he said, is a blessing and a curse: It’s good for business — sales generally triple. The bar rolls out a breakfast buffet and reserves such as Jello shots. But it’s chaotic, he said, because regulars steer clear and the younger crowd doesn’t tip well.
Bar Louie, another downtown watering hole, sees at least a 50 percent increase in traffic, said manager Jessica Jimenez, with the bar filling up when it opens at 11 a.m. and staying that way until closing.
“A lot of people take the day off,” she said. “I didn’t realize how big a day it was until I started working in restaurants and bars,” she said.
Bar Louie will staff an extra four to eight employees to handle the crowd, she said.
The National Retail Federation said this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration will mean more than $4 billion in spending for the U.S. economy.
Laura Peshick, Whole Foods Cranbrook employee, demonstrates products with ties to St. Patrick's Day, including the store's first try at free samples of beer. The market recently offered free samples of two Michigan-made ales to anyone 21 and older.
Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com
The 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey concluded this year’s celebrations will be the most robust since NRF began polling eight years ago. BIGresearch, which conducted the survey, said 122 million Americans will celebrate the holiday in some way, accounting for $4.14 billion in total spending.
St. Patrick’s Day marks the opening day of the busy season in Ann Arbor.
“We see St. Patrick’s Day as a kickoff for spring,” Schantz said. “We see it not only as a good day of business, we see it as kicking off a good season.”
Bar traffic slows after New Year’s Eve, she said, but St. Patrick’s Day typically ends the slow season.
Locally, there’s more to the St. Patrick’s Day than Guinness on draft and corned beef and cabbage. There’s Guinness gelato at Whole Foods Market in Cranbrook Village shopping center.
The natural grocery store is pushing shamrock slaw and Irish potato salad and had its first-ever free beer sampling, featuring two Michigan-made Irish ales, made possible under a new state law that allows free beer tastings.
The store sees a surge in sales as shoppers prepare for St. Patrick’s Day, said Susan Bellinson, marketing director. Whole Foods stocks uncooked corned beef just for St. Patrick’s Day, orders extra Guinness and other Irish stouts and ales, and promotes its lines of Irish cheeses and butters.
Bars and pubs market St. Patrick’s Day specials of their own. Arbor Brewing offers three special stouts just for the holiday, along with Irish Car Bombs (Guinness stout, Bailey's Irish Cream and Jameson Irish whiskey) and their own version, called a Love Bomb. Last year, Arbor Brewing served 500 Car Bombs, more than sales for the rest of the entire year, Schantz said.
As for green beer: Some bars have stopped the tradition. Bar Louie won’t sell it, and Arbor Brewing canceled the tradition after trying it for just its first year in business. The brewpub is known for full-bodied flavorful beers, and green beer tends to be light and watery, Schantz said.
“We say that friends don’t let friends drink green beer,” Schantz added.
Beer wholesalers also see the action. March sales are 114 percent above a typical month, said Eric C. Kendig, president of Arbor Beverage Co., beer and wine wholesalers.
March accounts for nearly 18 percent of the company’s annual sales, he said, with a huge spike in its lines of Irish beers such as Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s. “But Guinness is the king of St. Patrick’s Day,” Kendig said. “For some of our brands, St. Patrick’s Day is like Christmas.”
Arbor Beverage employees work weekends and overtime to set up store displays for the Irish brews and make extra deliveries in the days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, Kendig said. Deliveries to bars close to the U-M campus explode, he said. There’s a large uptick in store and bar sales the day before and the day after St. Patrick’s Day as well, he said.
“And the men’s basketball tournament begins this week," he added, referring to the NCAA Division I games. Increased sales will carry into an extended period. It will be seamless.”
Janet Miller is a freelance reporter for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
A2comments
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 10:26 a.m.
It's sad that businesses brag about being full at 11am with people that get drunk all day...
djm12652
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.
It is somewhat sad, what with tuition as expensive as it is, that a whole lotta brain cells are gonna be killed off....
treetowncartel
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 3:45 a.m.
I might add that the corned beef and cabbage at Frasers is a great way to start your imbibing, been doing it for decades.
Urban Sombrero
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:13 a.m.
I quit celebrating St. Patty's day after one awful experience. I'll just say this----green beer isn't as fun to barf up as it is to drink.
Kcin
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:24 p.m.
"And why is it the Irish never get their due respect, that is where modern day terrorism was developed. I'll be in Orange somewhere tipping well." "I always wear orange and people never seem to get it." Keeping it classy! "Orange" in this case is referring to the Protestant Orange Order, which took it's name from William Of Orange, who defeated the last Catholic ruler of England, James II. Use of that term, as done in commentary above, is an ugly, sectarian, anti-Catholic slur and shouldn't be tolerated in Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, London or anywhere else, although on aadotcom, it's apparently cool.
treetowncartel
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 3:32 a.m.
My Scottish/Irish Protestant blood is also mixed ith some Cherokee blood, so if you are true to your word you will stop wearing red, white and blue and honoring the American flag, and please don't ever stop in awe of a firework. Your comment solidifies mine, and the fact the Irish Catholics should be thankful to folks I like to honor for their independence from Great Britain. I wear orange in honor of my heritage, and I really don't have a problem with you wearing green in honor of yours. If you want to meet for a jager bomb let me know.
Howard_Beale
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.
It's been said that God invented alcohol to keep the Irish from ruling the world. Amateur night (day) to be sure, but so what? Have fun. Drink green beer. Throw up. That's how we roll. Just don't get behind the wheel of a car.
djm12652
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:59 p.m.
I have lots of fun people watching downtown A2 on St. Patrick's Day. I'm celebrating St. Practice Day by baking a Guiness Chocolate cake for a certain [chocoholic] bar owner....and I fervently hope the party goers do what is in their best interest and not drink and drive. Having lost 2 nieces to drunk drivers in the last 10 years leaves me little sympathy for anyone that gets behind the wheel less than 100% sober.
Roy Munson
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
Ordering an "Irish Car Bomb" at any bar, especially an Irish Pub, is pretty offensive. Would you walk into a bar in Times Square and ask for a "World Trade Center Bomb"? A word of advice if you ever travel to Boston - never attempt to order an Irish Car Bomb!
Yeah buddy
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:11 p.m.
Walk into a sushi bar and order a kamikaze.
Atticus F.
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 9:04 p.m.
The Irish car bomb symbolizes freedom to the Irish...Thats why all the true Irish bars serve them.
lynel
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:27 p.m.
air-in-go-bra!!
David Briegel
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 9:03 p.m.
You mean without!
5c0++ H4d13y
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
Beermageddon
Rumpleshirtskin
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:44 p.m.
The bottom line is that beer should be a very dark brown topped with a foamy tan head. (Yes that makes me a beer snob.)
Soothslayer
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.
Depends on the beer you're looking for of course. Nothing beats a crisp Peroni on a hot summer's day, an Asahi Super Dry with sashimi nor a Westvleteren 12°, period. For St. Paddy's it's gotta be either a blacksmith (Guinness & Smithwicks, tastes a bit like rusty nails) or straight up draft Guinness. Remember folks, its "Smit-iks", never "Smith -wicks" so ask for it by name! (fellow beer snob)
arbor315
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
How can you write an article about St. Patrick's Day in Ann Arbor with no mention of Conor O'Neill's? Gee, they are actually an Irish bar/pub...
djm12652
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:04 p.m.
because Whole Foods is more Irish, silly lad...
Soothslayer
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
Shhh!!!! (hint hint)
InsideTheHall
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:31 p.m.
On Saint Patrick's let all remember the terrible repression inflicted on Irish Catholics in Ireland and the scornful discrimination when they immigrated to the US. Let's hope that Obama will apologize to Irish Americans and offer reparations.
djm12652
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:04 p.m.
@cash...I think they did as a matter of fact...
Cash
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 10:12 a.m.
Did Bush apologize? Either one of the Bushes?
Rod Johnson
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
I always look forward to driving through the piles of trash and plastic cups on Jefferson Street on the 18th.
lisam
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:14 p.m.
Be careful...it's a way for the cops to make a little more green too. Just sayin'.
Tom Joad
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:08 p.m.
Amateur hour at the bar...stay off the roads
treetowncartel
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.
Please don't forget the other amteur day right around the corner, Hash Bash. And why is it the Irish never get their due respect, that is where modern day terrorism was developed. I'll be in Orange somewhere tipping well.
andys
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.
Orange? I don't get it.
Yeah buddy
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:15 p.m.
I always wear orange and people never seem to get it.
Beth
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
Traditional Irish pubs will not serve Irish Car Bombs, as it is a very offensive reference. I've seen people get thrown out on their ear after ordering one. FYI.
treetowncartel
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 3:40 a.m.
While I am no fan of the shot,I would like to know what qualifies as a "traditonal Irish Pub". I have yet to meet one in SE Michigan, or anywhre else in north america.
Atticus F.
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
How would you know?
Ellen
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:43 p.m.
Hmmm, decisions. I'm a bit older than the college crowd (altho I have tried drinking green beer at 7:00 a.m. in the past!), and live near Ypsi/Saline. I can't decide if I want to head toward Depot Town, Ann Arbor's main street, or just head into Saline (closest). I plan to either hitch a ride or call a cab, so that might determine where I end up. Any suggestions? lol, DJM, I hope I don't get yakked on! How is everyone else getting around tomorrow (if you're drinking)? Are there shuttles or anything? Please don't drink n drive!
djm12652
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:03 p.m.
not a JR, but an Olympic Luge team member from the state of Chiahuahua in Mexico...
Ellen
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 11:01 p.m.
thanks Ignatz! and is that a Jack Russell DJM? awwww so cute!
djm12652
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
haha I hope you don't either...it is a challenge walking in town trying to not "step" in any of it.
Ignatz
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7 p.m.
Ann Arbor, of course, would have the most options. In Ypsi, though you could walk between whatever is going on in Depot Town (Woodruff's, Sidetrack and Aubrey's), then walk to/from Corner Brewery and Powell's. Happy beering!
say it plain
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:22 p.m.
Marvelous to contemplate how joyless and repressed we must be as a species generally, lol, that the excuse for a bacchanal presented by St. Patrick's Day, over and above the normal Thursday in Ann Arbor ;-), generates such, such, anticipation! And economic and social and bodily fluids exchange! Even, @djm12652, in a town with such lofty pretensions as this one! Plus, Clooney's in town, lol, so the halloween-revel-level reveal get-ups will be extra special carefully chosen ;-)
djm12652
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:54 p.m.
you mean more sorostitutes?
djm12652
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.
no kidding! I am old enough now to realize that if I'm out [I no longer imbibe as a personal choice] and having a great time, I want to remember it! And seriously, has anyone seen attractive drunks on FB? ;o)
hypsi
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:14 p.m.
This is headline news???? With everything that is going on Japan, Protest at the Capitol Building, situation in Bahrain..and this is what makes the top headline news article?
Soothslayer
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 1:18 a.m.
Hey, how's it going? Yeah um AnnArbor.com is a LOCAL "paper" with a focus mainly on county issues. This is a great puff piece and St. Pats is a great day to celebrate friends and life in general at a local pub of your choosing. Don't worry CNN, MSNBC, Huffington, NYT, Bloomberg, WSJ, etc are all STILL out there reporting, or making up news until they figure out what's really going on so feel free to switch to those anytime.
Atticus F.
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:13 p.m.
I consider this to be one of the happiest days of the year...Not just because of the party, but also because it means winter is over! Yay! Also, I'll have to disagree with TopCat on this one. I consider green beer obligatory on st. Patty's day, along with irish car bombs at 7:00am. Although I am a bit of a beer snob the rest of the year.
Atticus F.
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.
That sounds like Fun!
Top Cat
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
I would buy you Guinness all day just to break you of this unfortunate habit.
djm12652
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6 p.m.
I'm always in awe of the level of intoxication and blowing chunks that happen in this [world reknowned intellectual]town on St. Paddy's day...luckily the weather is still cool enough to quell the stench of the actions of those folks that have no concept of their limitations or the knowledge of what restrooms [indoors] are for....erin go bragh LOL
djm12652
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.
and btw to the author...like Whole Foods much? Of all of the interviewees, the only pictures are from a grocery store and not a single bar or restaurant...no picture of Bar Louie, ABC, even the Blue Lep...hmmmm...
Top Cat
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.
I love it all.....except green beer. No self respecting Irishman or Irish wannabe would drink green beer. Green beer marks you as an amateur and light weight.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
St Patrick's day marks you as an amateur as does New years Eve.
Yeah buddy
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.
Also, George Clooney is in town so those estimates are way lower than they should be.
Yeah buddy
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:40 p.m.
Its a chance for all the girls to break out the kind of clothes they wear on Halloween, especially with such warm weather predicted tomorrow.
MjC
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.
Wherever you go, whatever you do May the luck of the Irish go there with you!