As every year, on March 17 we celebrate a date which is very special to the Irish and over the years, has made its way to one of the most celebrated days of the year all around the world.Saint Patrick’s Day is charged with traditions, feasts, lots of green coloured stuff and beer. Here are 10 things you should absolutely know about this day.

Lots of beer. During this day, people augment the beer consumption. It even excels the famous German beer festival. According to established dates, people around the globe consume more than 13 Million litres of beer on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Green and more green. Irish people all around the world, and also lots of symathisers, dress in green. The colour is associated to the green island. If you want to celebrate this day authentically, we recommend you buy yourself a green t-shirt. Fun fact, the historic national colour of Ireland is actually blue.

Friends reunion in a pub. Irish people love pubs. One more reason to visit your next Irish pub and celebrate with natives. There is one in every bigger city, go find yours.

Who is Saint Patrick? Saint Patrick was born in the 15th century and was abducted by attackers of Ireland. During this time he had been studying to become a priest and established a religious doctrine based on the cloverleaf with four leaves. He died on the 17th of March in 1461.

What to eat? Typical Irish dishes are roast chicken, a Guinness stew.

Parades. Parades are typical although not every city has one. Have a look at your city’s agenda to see if a Saint Patrick’s Parade is organised and participate with your friends. Try to make Irish friends.

When was the first Saint Patrick’s Day? The annual celebration started in 1917.

Several days. In some places in Ireland, the festival lasts for several days although the actual feast is on the 17th of March.

Who’s the goblin? The goblin is a must-have on this day. People say that the lucky goblin and an elf appear each year on this date.

Celtic rhymes. You should dive into the rich culture of Ireland and read Celtic poetry, listen to native songs and learn more about the country’s artistic side. You will not get disappointed.

Last but not least, don’t forget about the great beer and whiskey, Ireland provides us with.

Tullamore Dew 1L

Tullamore Dew 1L: The Irish whiskey is known all over the world for its smooth and gentle complexity and its citrus and spicy notes. 

Enjoying cold beer is probably the best part of hanging out with your friends, whether on a nice terrace during a sunny day or in a pub at night. But beer is not just a simple drink, it is also a delicious ingredient for cooking and create amazing dishes. Here you have a few recipes to follow. Just enjoy.

Can Can Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3-1/2 to 4 pounds)

Preparation:

1. In a small bowl, mix the first seven ingredients. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from chicken; rub seasoning mixture under and over the skin. Tuck wings under chicken. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour.
2. Completely cover all sides of an 8- or 9-in. baking pan with foil. Place a beer-can chicken rack securely in pan. Remove half of the beer from a can. Using a can opener, make additional large holes in the top of the can; place the can in the ack.
3. Stand chicken vertically on rack; place on grill rack. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of the thigh reads 170°-175°.
4. Carefully remove the pan from grill; tent chicken with foil. Let stand 15 minutes before carving.

Beer cheese in a bread bowl

Ingredients

• 1 round loaf (1 pound) pumpernickel bread
• 2 jars (5 ounces each) sharp American cheese spread
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup beer or nonalcoholic beer
• 1/2 cup real bacon bits

Preparation:

1. Cut top fourth off loaf of bread; carefully hollow out the bottom, leaving a 1/2-in. shell. Cube removed bread; set aside.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine cheese spread and cream cheese. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in beer. Microwave, uncovered, 20 seconds longer. Stir in bacon.
3. Fill bread shell with cheese dip. Serve with reserved bread cubes. 

Beer Macaroni and cheese

Ingredients

• 1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2-1/2 cups 2% milk
• 3/4 cup amber beer
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 cups (12 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded fontina cheese
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 2 tablespoons minced chives
• 5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Preparation:

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente.
2. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the flour, mustard, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually whisk in the milk, beer and cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
3. Reduce heat. Stir in 2 cups cheddar cheese, fontina cheese and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese until melted. Add chives.
4. Drain macaroni; stir into sauce. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar and Parmesan cheeses.
5. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and heated through. Top with crumbled bacon. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Chocolate Guinness cake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Guinness
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup baking cocoa
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

Preparation:

1. Grease a 9-in. springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, heat beer and butter until butter is melted. Remove from the heat; whisk in sugar and cocoa until blended. Combine the eggs, sour cream and vanilla; whisk into beer mixture. Combine flour and baking soda; whisk into beer mixture until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Remove sides of the pan.
4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add confectioners’ sugar and cream; beat until smooth (do not over-beat). Remove cake from the pan and place on a platter or cake stand. Ice top of the cake so that it resembles a frothy pint of beer. Refrigerate leftovers.

Brooklyn Local 1 75cl

Brooklyn Local 1 75cl is a strong ale brewed by Brooklyn Brewery native of United States and has an alcoholic content of 9%.

Westvleteren 12

Westvleteren 12 enjoys the fame of being one of the best beers in the world. 

The title says it all: one beer a day can help reduce your risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. That is the conclusion of the study presented by Pennsylvania State University at the last meeting of the American Heart Association, the world’s largest cardiology referent.

The study in question was based on the analysis of blood samples of 80 thousand adults contrasted with their habits of consumption of alcoholic beverages during each quarter of the last 6 years. These blood samples allowed researchers to measure, among other factors, high-density lipoprotein levels. Indeed, maintaining healthy levels of this lipoprotein (better known as “good cholesterol”) helps prevent clogged arteries, a major cause of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

The results show that people with moderate alcohol consumption, equal to one or two pints per day, maintain a healthy level of “good” cholesterol. This positive effect was more noticeable in blood samples from regular beer drinkers than those with a predilection for other alcoholic beverages.

On the contrary, it is, without a doubt, an argument that supports the conclusion of the benefits of consuming a daily beer. “A reason to raise our arm and toast, although it is probably best to do it only once,” said Shue Huang, lead author of the study.

While this is one of the largest studies in this area, it is not the only one. In fact, in Uvinum we had already talked about the positive effects of moderate consumption of beer on other items: from its stimulating qualities to brain activity and memory, to reducing health problems such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis or aging of the skin.

There is no doubt that this news will delight all those people who enjoy having a cold beer with their friends when leaving work. To all of them: Cheers!

Rochefort 10

Rochefort 10

Westmalle Tripel

Westmalle Tripel

Step by step, the fresh and humid temperatures made space for a warmer weather, opening doors for the summer. After-works take place outside to enjoy a drink once the children are sleeping and barbeques are organised at home on weekends to share moments with friends and family.

I am a wine lover, and in summer I also like to enjoy a drink. However, we do not all have the same tastes. There are so many possibilities in summer to enjoy … and without getting bored from only one drink.

Personally, I think that every moment needs a specific drink. It is true that as soon as the heat arrives you will not want a strong red wine with a lot of ageing or a white wine fermented in a barrel or certain distillates.

Well, what are the possibilities we are offered? There are so many that I do not know where to start.

We could start with the appetisers such as vermouths, that are very trendy today: we can find high-quality ones, not only referring to Martini and Co … Certain vermouths are handcrafted, made with ecological ingredients and convey emotion. There are 2 large groups of Vermouth: the red of Italian origin is quite sweet and the white, drier, of French origin, composed of more than 40 botanical extracts, and with greater alcoholic content. The vermouth is a liqueur flavoured with herbs, formed from a neutral wine of good quality, a touch of absinthe and botanical extracts (roots, plants, flowers and spices). The right mix of botanists is the key to the aromatization of good vermouth. The vermouth is, of course, a unique drink due to its wide range of nuances, flavours and aromas.

For soft, spicy and pleasant tastes, they can be enjoyed alone or with ice, or with a slice of lemon, orange or with sparkling water. Of course, vermouths are ideal as appetisers but they do not usually accompany an entire meal.

A variant of the vermouth that is served with a syphon, is the Spritz. Pretty sweet served very fresh and with gas, is a danger cause it’s really easy to drink … For my part, I prefer something more retro, like the famous Pimm’s.

The Pastis. Very French, very Marcel Pagnol with his Provencal accent. Pastis is a distilled beverage based on a maceration of ethyl alcohol with various herbs and flowers, but the most powerful flavours are anise and liquorice. This drink, the authentic one, the Pastis de Marseille whose alcohol content is around 40-45%, with anise flavour, is mixed with cold water and served with ice. Very pleasant in summer, its taste of anise is refreshing and ideal as much as the vermouths to the appetiser. It’s a traditional drink that is not out of fashion. The way to consume it is updated and modernised to the tastes of generations. The traditional way of serving it is one ratio of Pastis to five cold water. It is not uncommon to find several generations of people on the terrace of a bar in France consuming a pastis with olives at the time of the aperitif, in the shade of a parasol. You breathe an air of vacations!

Here you find some suggestions for a proper and fresh summer drink:

Ricard 1L

Ricard 1L, fresh and long lasting anise flavour

Martini Rosso 1L

Martini Rosso 1L, a typical italian vermouth

The title says it all: one beer a day can help reduce your risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. That is the conclusion of the study presented by the Pennsylvania State University at the last meeting of the American Heart Association, the world’s largest cardiology referent.

The study in question was based on the analysis of blood samples of 80 thousand adults contrasted with their habits of consumption of alcoholic beverages during each quarter of the last 6 years. These blood samples allowed researchers to measure, among other factors, high-density lipoprotein levels. Indeed, maintaining healthy levels of this lipoprotein (better known as “good cholesterol”) helps prevent clogged arteries, a major cause of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

The results show that people with moderate alcohol consumption, equal to one or two pints per day, maintain a healthy level of “good” cholesterol. This positive effect was more noticeable in the blood samples of regular beer drinkers than in those with a predilection for other alcoholic beverages.

In contrast, no similar effect was observed in abstainers or those who drank a higher dose of alcohol. It is, without a doubt, an argument that supports the conclusion of the benefits of consuming a daily beer. “A reason to raise our arm and toast, although it is probably best to do it only once,” said Shue Huang, lead author of the study.

While this is one of the largest studies in this area, it is not the only one. In fact, in Uvinum we had already talked about the positive effects of moderate consumption of beer on other items: from its stimulating qualities to brain activity and memory, to reducing health problems such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis or ageing the skin.

There is no doubt that this good news will delight all those people who enjoy drinking a cold beer with their friends when leaving work. Here is to them all: Cheers!

Westmalle Tripel

Westmalle Tripel  is made by Brasserie Des Trappistes Van Westmalle with its origins in Belgium with warm fermenting and presents an alcohol content of 9.5%.

Rochefort 10

Rochefort 10 is produced by L’Abbaye de Rochefort native of Belgium with warm fermenting and has an alcoholic content of 11%. 

One would think that living for many years comes from living a healthy lifestyle, with a very well balanced diet and regular physical activity to maintain ones shape. However, although this should not be ruled out at all, the world’s longest-living people have admitted that alcohol is part of their daily diet and that, for them, it has helped them to live for such a long time.

Grace Jones is now the UK’s tenth-longest living person at 110 and has confessed that a small sip of whisky every night has been her most trusted secret to living for so long. “I never suffer from heartburn during the night and it’s the only thing I drink”, says Mrs. Jones, who has been practising this for 60 years. “Whisky is very good for your health. I started with the night sip when I turned 50 and I have not stopped for 60 years, and I do not intend to do it. The doctor told me to continue taking it because it is good for the heart”, confesses Jones.

And, certainly, it is not the first time that something like this has happened. We have already heard of a 102-year-old woman who credits beer for her longevity. We also have another woman over 100 who claimed that 6 gin & tonics a day have done her well while a 107-year-old Spanish wine producer claims that his long age is due to the benefits of wine he consumes daily.

Jones celebrated his birthday last September with his 78-year-old daughter and enjoyed pleasant company, food, drinks and, of course, his mythical drink of whisky. She was born on September 16, 1906 in Liverpool, in the United Kingdom, and has already received seven letters from the Queen of England. And, most likely, it will probably not be the last.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Scapa 16 Year old

Scapa 16 Year old

Hops, one of the main ingredients of beer, could contribute effectively to the prevention of breast cancer. That’s what a study by experts from the University of Illinois at Chicago (USA) have recently discovered, and which has been published on Daily & Sunday Express, a British newspaper.

Hops is a flower responsible for bitter, spicy or citric flavors on beer and has been subjected to investigations that relate to hormone levels in both men and women, but the new study shows, apparently, that could activate chemical compounds that inhibit tumor development.

Scientists applied hop extract to two different breast cell lines to see the effect on the estrogen metabolism of cells, knowing the fact that a slower metabolism increases the risk of breast cancer.

The researchers found an ingredient of hops, called 6-prenylnarigenin (6-PN), which increases the rate of metabolism of estrogen, thus further research could demonstrate the effectiveness of this compound against cancer.

Compound 6-PN is a potent phytoestrogen that, when ingested, feeds the activity of hormones. In fact, women who work with this plant can have disruptions in their menstrual cycles. Also, it has been tested as a treatment for postmenopausal women suffering hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia.

The research team has also found another similar compound, 8-prenylnarigenin (8-PN), apparently less effective, but should also be the subject of a further study.

Schneider Turbia 50cl

Schneider Turbia 50cl

Franziskaner 50cl

Franziskaner 50cl

Four hundred years after Shakespeare wrote his last work, we will review the drinks mentioned in his plays, the same ones he and his associates probably used to toast after his success.

Each of the works of Shakespeare has at least 38 mentions of alcoholic beverages. The choice of drink for a character was an indicator of social status or character, and the fashions and practices of the age.

Tea and coffee were still to arrive in Britain, and water was a health risk back then, so alcoholic drinks were the most common choice. In Shakespeare’s time, drinking water was hardly an option, especially in towns and cities. Thus, the most common drinks were the following:

Ale and beer

The ale was a traditional soft drink among all, including children, who were drunk from breakfast until bedtime. It also represented a source of vitamin B. This drink crossed the barriers of social status, as it was consumed by the rich and poor.

The beer was then a novelty in Holland, where hops were added. The aromatic addition was initially seen as an adulteration but gradually took over England. In Shakespeare’s time, beer was relatively sweet and fruity.

Aqua vitae

Aqua vitae covers most forms of alcohol, so at that time this could include beverages like brandy and whisky. It’s mentioned 6 times by Shakespeare, where he referred it as a restorative or therapeutic drink, unlike wine or beer.

In fact, the nurse in Romeo and Juliet asks for it twice: the first time when she explains Tybalt’s death and the banishment of Romeo, and the second time when he discovers that Juliet is dead (apparently) in her bed.

Claret

Claret, at that time, was a lot lighter than you would expect to drink and it was closer to a pink than a red of Bordeaux. There is a very important symbolic meaning of Claret in Shakespeare’s work. In the twelfth century, Bordeaux and Gascony area became English territory due to the marriage of Henry Plantagenet and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Bordeaux wines were sent in large quantities to England.

But by the end of the Hundred Years’ War, Henry VI had lost Gascony, recovered by the French, and the availability of Claret decreased. The loss was still being felt in the times of Shakespeare.

It is worth to mention that the wine was a luxury in Shakespeare’s England, and was not accessible to everyone. As it was an imported product, with a value 12 times higher than beer or soda, it was a drink only available to kings and courtiers.

Sherry sack

The Sherry sack it’s now what we know as fortified wine. It became a well-accepted term for a variety of wines like sherry, some of them fortified and some sweets, but the Sherry sack was the best known. There are many references to this drink associated with Falstaff character, where he enjoyed Sherry sack and was always eager to ask for more. In Twelfth Night, Don Tobias and Sir Andrew Aguecheek express their fondness for the sack (Come, I will burn some sack. It’s too late to go to bed”.) In The Tempest, Stephano uses a cylinder head from a sack as a float to swim away from the wreck.

Metheglin

The metheglin it’s a fermented alcoholic beverage made out of honey and it comes from Welsh. It was a spiced mead. It was fermented with honey and was used as a tonic. It was a drink that only the richest of society could afford and was mentioned twice by Shakespeare, once in Love’s Labour’s Lost, and another in The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Although today is not produced for commercial distribution, there has been some interest in returning to this drink.

Muscatel

Rich and sweet and made from Muscat grapes, is the drink of Petruchio in Taming of the Shrew. At the time, the term was generally used for Muscat wines of Greece, mostly from Crete and Zante.

Posset

Currently the Posset is a dessert of thick cream, often flavored with lemon, but in Elizabethan times it was a drink of hot milk curdled with ale or wine, usually flavored with spices and probably with sugar. It is with a poisoned Posset how Lady Macbeth sleeps the servants who guard King Duncan:

“The doors are open, and the servants have sated their thirst and their snores are heard: I drugged her Possets” says Lady Macbeth, urging her husband to take the opportunity to kill the king.

Alvear PX 1927

Alvear PX 1927

Néctar Pedro Ximénez

Néctar Pedro Ximénez

When we drink beer, we usually notice that the restroom is visited more frequently, as we have the desire to go much more than we usually do. This is caused by various reasons.

One of the main reasons is its important diuretic effect. The beer increases the amount of urine produced in the kidneys and thereby also increases the amount of water removed. Therefore we urge to urinate much sooner than if we drink water or other beverages.

Another reason is because of the ingredients involved in the process of brewing. Specifically, we refer to hops, the beer component that is responsible for the diuretic effect. Hops is used to counteract the sweet malt flavor and gives the bitter taste which is so characteristic of beer. This ingredient has a significant diuretic effect, and will provoke more frequent urination.

While it is true that this diuretic effect is not exclusively for beer, since there are other alcoholic beverages which increase urine production in the body. Alcohol itself is a diuretic that stimulates the bladder. Alcohol suppresses pituitary hormone responsible for inhibiting the diuretic effect in the glands.

All this actually boils down to the fact that the consumption of beer alone will dehydrate you, because by increasing urine output, the body eliminates more liquid than usual. Consumption of alcohol in moderation is always recommended. That’s because the body expels more fluid than it is getting. One solution is to rehydrate by drinking sips of water while you enjoy your beer. It complements both drinks. And maybe combine them with some tapas, or other delicious food.

Iron Maiden Trooper 50cl

Iron Maiden Trooper 50cl

Hobgoblin 50cl

Hobgoblin 50cl

Have you ever you wondered about what’s the best drink for your health? Taking into account that you enjoy both beer and wine, clear all your doubts thanks to the curiosity and persistence of researchers.

Mack Mitchell, a member of the Texas Southwestern University Medical Center has carried out a study, which ABC has released recently. For this study, Mitchell asked a group of 15 men who take certain drinks on different days. Mitchell assured that alcohol content was proportional to body weight of each of the participants and make them drink at the same pace for 20 minutes. The results revealed some interesting facts that will definitely clear doubts that we have all had at some point.

1. Wine enters the system faster: As per the study, Mitchell found that spirits entered the bloodstream faster. It took 54 minutes for wine to enter whereas the beer took 62 minutes after finishing drinking.
2. Weight gain: Scientists conducting the research reviewed several studies on alcohol intake and weight gain and concluded that when consumed moderately weight difference appears to be minimal. However, the longest period they reviewed and evaluated at the time was only 10 weeks meaning that the data is not sufficient.
3. Hangover: Researchers have not reached any conclusion regarding the hangover. Apparently, congeners, charged organic molecules that give each drink its unique taste and aroma, are responsible for the famous hangover effect which causes headaches and nausea and mostly appears the next day after drinking. Currently it is believed that dark beverages have more concentration of these molecules, but no more specific data has been concluded so far.
4. The king of health: Large amounts of polyphenols are found in red wine which have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, while beer contains minor amounts of polyphenols and more similar to those of white wine. Both options are healthy if consumed moderately, although red wine, having more polyphenols, may bring more benefits. You can also check out our infographic about 9 benefits of wine for your health.

Uvinum wine recommendations: 

Pétalos del Bierzo 2014

Floral, elegant, silky… the Pétalos del Bierzo 2014 is a wine that seduces and invites to a relaxed dinner with friends and family. Thanks to the vine’s progressive age, Descendientes de J. Palacios achieves a profound and fresh red at the same time.

Whispering Angel Rosé 2015

The Whispering Angel Rosé 2015 has its name from the Whispering Angels chapel from the early 19th century with two cherubs above the altar. The rosé managed to outshine its 2014 vintage which had already convinced many renowned wine critics.