10 Pirate Beers For International Talk Like a Pirate Day
In the hierarchy of holidays, International Talk Like a Pirate Day probably doesn’t register in your top 10. In all likelihood, it probably falls somewhere between Arbor Day and Administrative Professionals’ Day, and that’s a shame. There’s simply no other day on the calendar when it’s acceptable to make copious references to booty, unless you’re an early-90’s hip-hop star.
In case you’re unfamiliar with International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and Wikipedia is broken, here’s the lowdown on the holiday. Oregon friends John “Ol’ Chumbucket” Baur and Mark “Cap’n Slappy” Summers started it as a joke after one of them exclaimed “arrr” from an injury while they were playing racquetball in 1995. Their inside joke gained traction after the duo sent a letter about their holiday to syndicated columnist Dave Barry, and he promoted it in a 2002 column. The holiday continued to grow throughout the years, and it’s now celebrated internationally on September 19. Yes, internationally.
So, me hearties, if ye be talkin’ like a pirate, ye best be drinkin’ like a pirate, or it’s to the plank, ye scurvy bilge rats! Here be 10 hearty brews worthy of flyin’ the Jolly Roger.
Piraat Ale
Brewery: Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.
City: Ertvelde, Belgium?
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale?
ABV: 10.8%
While not exactly known as a hotbed for high seas piracy, Belgium is known for putting out a good beer or two. Piraat Ale’s bottle is emblazoned with blood-red letters and a golden pirate ship sailing above. This tasty, bottle-conditioned brew is sweet and spicy with a nice hop profile to rein it all in. Maybe you’re not feeling all the way like a pirate, in which case you can also try Piraat Privateer, which dials the ABV back slightly to 10.5%.
Victory at Sea?
Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits
?City: San Diego, Calif.?
Style: Coffee porter?
ABV: 10%
Many a pirate celebrated victories at sea with a flagon or two of grog. It’s safe to say that watered-down rum has nothing on this heavy-hitting porter. When the folks at Ballast Point created this porter with coffee and vanilla, a star was born, as Victory at Sea is one of their most popular seasonal beers. Ballast Point even celebrates Victory at Sea day in December, which features versions of Victory at Sea doctored up with everything from candy canes to another famous sailor…Cap’n Crunch.
Powder Monkey
?Brewery: Heavy Seas Beer
?City: Baltimore, Md.?
Style: Pale Ale?
ABV: 4.8%
With so many pirate-themed beers in its portfolio, the tasting room at Baltimore’s Heavy Seas Beer should be the place to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day. The beer names range from the pirate cliché of Peg Leg Stout to the headache-inducing pun of Davy Jones’ Lager. Our choice is Powder Monkey Pale Ale, a traditional English-style pale ale. Powder monkeys were responsible for keeping the ship’s cannons blazing. This powder monkey is responsible for getting you drunk.
Keelhaul APA
?Brewery: Swashbuckler Brewing Company
?City: Manheim, Pa.?
Style: American Pale Ale?
ABV: 4.8%
If you were on a pirate ship, and you broke the pirate’s code, you might find yourself the victim of keelhauling. If you happened to survive being dragged across the barnacle-encrusted keel of the boat, you might want to reward yourself with a glass of ale or two. This malty pale ale with Chinook hops would fit the bill nicely. Just don’t drink too many, or you might find yourself dancing with the barnacles again.