Green beer is a St. Patrick’s Day classic, but you might be surprised to learn that it wasn’t invented in Ireland—it was actually created in the United States!
The first known instance of green beer dates back to 1914 in New York City, when Dr. Thomas Curtin, an Irish-American coroner and social club member, decided to add a drop of blue dye to a keg of beer for a festive gathering. The result? A bright green pint that quickly became the talk of the celebration!
By the 1950s and 1960s, bars and breweries across America had adopted the tradition, using harmless food coloring to give beer its signature emerald hue. Some traditional methods, however, involved mixing blue dye with yellow-hued beer, creating the green effect without artificial additives.
Despite its American roots, green beer has become a global St. Patrick’s Day tradition, appearing at pubs and celebrations worldwide. Whether you’re sipping a pint at a parade or toasting to Irish heritage, this colorful beverage is a testament to how holiday traditions evolve over time!
