March 17th, 2026 - It's St. Patrick's Day, So Turn it Up with a Harp!

 

Hey there rockers, rollers, and beer fans!  Your drinking buddy the Meista here celebrating St. Paddy's Day with a pairing of "Turn It Up", the kick-ass album th from Northern Irish hard rock band Mama's Boys and a tasty and a crisp and tasty Harp Lager from Guinness Brewery, along with a shot of whiskey!  This pairing is dedicated to my late grandfather Jimmy Patterson and his father, James Patterson.  I was fortunate to have visited my great-grandfather's childhood village of Rockcorry, County Monaghan, Ireland last April with my lovely wife.  Sláinte!

Album Info:

• Artist: Mama's Boys
• Title: "Turn It Up"
• Recorded: 1983 
• Release date: 1983 (3rd studio album by Mama's Boys)
• Record company: Pussy Records / Spartan Records / Virgin Records
• Production: Barry Devin
• Album cover art: Graffiti Design (graphic design) and Ronnie Norton (photography)
• Personnel: John McManus (bass and vocals), Pat McManus (guitars and fiddle), and Tommy McManus (drums)
• Additional musicians: Don Baker (harmonica), Philip Begley (organ), and Jim Lockhart (organ)
• Musical style: Hard rock, heavy metal with elements of pop rock and traditional Irish folk music
• Sound: Hard-hitting, upbeat, and fun as hell, the Mama's Boys 3rd album is chalk full of driving guitar riffs and fiery solos, fist-pumping rhythms, and sign-along choruses! 
• Major themes: Rock and roll, rebellion, freedom, revelry, loneliness, life, music, passion, sex, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Midnight Promises"
2. "Loose Living"
3. "Too Little Of You To Love"
4. "Late Night Rendezvous"
5. "Crazy Daisy's House Of Dreams"
6. "Face To Face"
7. "Gentlemen Rogues"
8. "Lonely Soul"
9. "Shake My Bones"
10. "Freedom Fighters"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Guinness Brewery (Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland)
• Website: https://www.guinness.com/en-us
• Brew: Harp Lager
• Style: European Pale Lager / Pilsner
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 4.5%
• IBUs: 21
• Ingredients: Barley and pure spring water from the Cooley Mountains of Dundalk
• Pour: The Harp Lager pours clear, bright, golden-yellow with a frothy, bright white, 1+ finger head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate spider web lacing.
• Nose: The nose of the Harper Lager is grainy, slightly fruity, and floral.  There are aromas of pale malt, a hint of apple, a hint of lemon zest, and light, crackery grains.
• Taste: Like the nose, the taste is grainy, slightly sweet, and grassy.  There are notes of crackery biscuit, light, grassy hops, lemongrass, and a splash of honey.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Harp Lager is very crisp, effervescent, smooth, and refreshing with a dry, slightly sweet finish.
• Notes: Harp Lager is an Irish lager that was created in 1960 and was formerly produced at the Great Northern Brewery in Dundalk.  It is now brewed in Dublin. It is a major lager brand throughout most of Northern Ireland but interestingly enough, it is rarely available in the Republic of Ireland.

Overall pairing: The simple, crisp flavors along with the crushability of the Harp Lager are perfect for the hard-hitting rock and roll punch of Mama's Boys stellar "Turn It Up" album!  You can slam a couple of these whilst you are rocking about!  'Nuff said!

Sláinte!!  Rock on!!