Blessing of the Beer kicks off St. Patrick's Day celebration at The Tasting Room of Louisiana

Melinda Martinez, Alexandria Town Talk
·3 min read

One of the great things in life is the blessing of community that beer can make happen. Patrons of The Tasting Room of Louisiana gathered outside visiting with each other while waiting for the whiskey bar to open for the annual Blessing of the Beer on St. Patrick's Day.

"We're going to ad-lib a real blessing from our hearts, thanking God for all that he does to make beer and community happen," said Father Stephen Brandow. "At every meal, community is celebrated. Beer is a sign of our community together."

At noon sharp, Brandow walked behind the bar to carry out the blessing. As is tradition, no alcohol is served until after the blessing and until Brandow drinks the first glass of beer poured from the tap.

Melissa Scarborough (left), whisk(e)y sommelier and The Tasting Room of Louisiana owner, hands Father Stephen Brandow a glass of beer at the Blessing of the Beer held on St. Patrick's Day. No alcohol was served before the blessing and until Brandow drank the first glass.
Melissa Scarborough (left), whisk(e)y sommelier and The Tasting Room of Louisiana owner, hands Father Stephen Brandow a glass of beer at the Blessing of the Beer held on St. Patrick's Day. No alcohol was served before the blessing and until Brandow drank the first glass.

"From all the good things in the Earth, God brings us blessings. Assuredly, the blessing of community that beer can make happen is one of the great things in life. And so I invite us to bow our heads and ask for his blessing," he said.

Then Melissa Scarborough, whisk(e)y sommelier and pub owner, poured the first glass of beer for Brandow. The crowd cheered and applauded as he drank the whole glass.

But the day is more than just about drinking beer, said Melissa Scarborough, whisk(e)y sommelier and pub owner.

"It's also a cultural event. It's a fun way to kick off St. Patrick's Day. but it's also a day to celebrate Irish and Scottish heritage," she said.

"It's not about the blessing. It's more about the beer for me," joked Bob Pulaski of Pineville, who wore a tall green hat and a fake red beard. He brought along his brother-in-law Bill Bonna of Scraton, Pa., who arrived just in time for the blessing.

"Drove 1,300 miles and just got here," said Pulaski.

"It's a nice crowd and everything. I'm impressed," said Bonna who was wearing a festive hat and a Scranton St. Patrick's Day Parade shirt.

Bob Pulaski of Pineville (left) brought along his brother-in-law Bill Bonna of Scraton, Pa., to the Blessing of the Beer at The Tasting Room of Louisiana. Even though he comes from a town with Irish roots, this is the first time he has ever seen a Blessing of the Beer.
Bob Pulaski of Pineville (left) brought along his brother-in-law Bill Bonna of Scraton, Pa., to the Blessing of the Beer at The Tasting Room of Louisiana. Even though he comes from a town with Irish roots, this is the first time he has ever seen a Blessing of the Beer.

Even though he comes from a town with Irish roots, this is the first time he has ever seen anything like this.

"Lots of Irish bars and everything," he said. "I never saw a priest go and bless anything like this."

The blessing has been an annual St. Patrick's Day tradition since the mid-2000s when the pub was known as Finnegan's Wake. Scarborough was its head bartender. A few years ago, Scarborough took over the establishment and felt it was a tradition worth keeping. It's one that many patrons like Lizzie Floyd enjoy.

"I love the spirit and the culture and keeping the tradition alive," said Floyd who has attended several of the blessings in the past. "I especially enjoy having a beer on St. Paddy's Day and why not have a blessed beer?"

"As Christians we have always blessed food. Beer is a food item so we bless beer in a particular way because it's the beginning of the spring, a turning of the season as we get ready to celebrate the joy that goes with Easter," said Brandow.

There is a blessing written in the official rites of the Catholic Church.

"Bless, o Lord, this creature beer, which by your power has been produced from kernels of grain. May it be a healthful beverage to mankind. And grant that through the invoking of your holy name, all who drink hereof may find it a help in body and soul."

Father Chad Partain, who blessed the beer in previous years, stated in a prior Town Talk article that the tradition dates back to Gambrinus who is referred to as "the patron saint of beers."

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Alexandria pub keeps up St. Patrick's Day Blessing of the Beer tradition