I can remember the first time I ever had a root beer float. I wondered  ”what is this creamy, delicious dream, combining my favorite beverage with my favorite dessert?” Well, as it turns out, you can make an adult version of this tasty treat! I called over some (all-too-willing) friends, grabbed some St. Patty’s style beers and plenty of Tillamook Ice Cream and conducted an experiment about what makes the best beer float!

First up: Tillamook Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Hard Cider
Independently, I love both of these ingrdients…but combined, they were amazing! With equal parts cider and ice cream, this tasted just like apple pie a la mode. The smooth cream brought out the tart, green apple flavor in the cider. It would be great for a summer treat (or a summer-dreaming treat) on a front porch. This one was my favorite of the bunch.

Next on the agenda: Tillamook Mountain Huckleberry Ice Cream with Red Ale
We thought that the hoppy flavor of a Red Ale would complement the sweet fruit in the ice cream, and we were right! Since the base of the ice cream is vanilla, it leveled out the hops to create a combo that tasted surprisingly like maple and nuts, with just a hint of fruit. It was a berry good beer float.

Finally: Tillamook Mudslide Ice Cream with Guinness Beer
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we decided to make a float with Ireland’s token beer: Guinness! We combined this beer with Tillamook Mudslide Ice Cream. Guinness is less carbonated, so the experience was a little smoother. I loved the Mudslide Ice Cream in this, especially because the chocolate bits tasted just a little salty! Unfortunately, most of the chocolate bits sunk to the bottom of the glass. This float was full of really rich flavors.

What kind of beer float would you make!? For more ideas (and some kid-friendly ones!), check out our favorite root beer float recipes.

By Katie

Why not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the cheesy way? You bring the green beer, we’ll bring the white and orange cheese, and you’ve got yourself a St. Patrick’s Day celebration! From March 10-17, all Sharp and Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheeses are 10% off*.

*10% off all Sharp and Extra Sharp Cheddar cheeses on the Tillamook Online Store. Sale is valid March 12, 2012 at 8:00 am through March 17^th at 11:59 PST. Only valid for online purchases at Tillamook.com.

By Katie

St. Patrick's Day - the only day to drink green beer without looking totally weird.

Green Beer… 5 reasons why you should drink it today:
1. It’s Saint Patrick’s Day!
2. It beats drinking sour beer
3. It’s easy to make and looks festive and fun
4. It might turn your tongue green
5. It’s the same color as the University of Oregon Ducks!

Green Beer… 5 reasons why you should pair it with Tillamook Cheddar Cheese today:
1. Cheddar cheese is popular in Ireland – today everyone’s Irish
2. Green (beer), white (Tillamook Vintage White Extra Sharp Cheddar), and orange (Tillamook Medium Cheddar) are colors in the Irish flag
3. The distinct kick of Tillamook Cheddar is the perfect contrast to the hop in the beer
4. Beer without cheese is like wheels without tires… what’s the point?
5. It’s just simply delicious!

If you really want to make some friends this St. Patrick’s Day, dress like a leprechaun, fill a cauldron with Tillamook Cheddar Cheese (some say it’s better than gold!), and offer your tasty treasure to everyone you meet. Have a fun and safe St. Patty’s Day, everyone!

Photo from the651.com

By Matt

Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub - Portland, OR

If you live in Porltand and like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, odds are that you’ll be heading on over to Kells’ annual celebration for food, beer, and live entertainment. It’s not surprising that Kells is rated the #1 Irish Restaurant in the nation – it feels authentic, inviting, lively and the food is fantastic. Watch international soccer (er – football) and rugby games on their big screen TVs, and enjoy live Irish music 7 nights a week.

Sample Menu:

Kells Shepherd’s Pie – Ground beef simmered in Guinness, carrots, onions, and peas, baked in a cheddar-potato crust.

Crab Mushroom Caps – Mushroom caps broiled with Tillamook Vintage White Extra Sharp Cheddar and crab filling.

Grilled Ham & Cheese – Black Forest ham, Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, and fresh tomato grilled on egg bread.

BLTC – Thick-cut bacon, lettuce, tomato, Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, and mayo on toasted artisan multi-grain bread.

Kells Cheddar Burger – Natural ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, Tillamook Sharp Cheddar, and chipotle sauce on a rustic bun (or substitute a veggie burger).

Kells Country Pie (new menu item) – A twist on traditional corned beef and cabbage, topped with Tillamook Sharp Cheddar.

Drinks – Bottled and draft beers, wines by the glass, soda, juice, hot tea and coffee, milk and more.

Tip: Catch a lift on Kells double decker bus to the next Timbers or Blazers home game. Bus departs at 6:30pm, so arrive early to have a few brews!

Kell’s Irish- Portland
112 SW 2nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97204

M-Th: 11:30am – 1am
Fri: 11:30am – 2am
Sat: 7am – 2am
Sun: 7am – 1am

Photo: RowdyKittens

By Loafy

March is here and St. Patrick’s Day is on my mind. Since I have no connection to the Irish roots of this holiday, to me, it mainly means a day where I get to wear green, eat meat and potatoes, and drink some green beer. With this recipe, you can check all these diet requirements of the day off your list! Potatoes, sausage, beer, and cheese (of course!) make a dish that’s perfect for any St. Patrick’s day celebration. I don’t know how green beer would translate visually for this recipe, so maybe just have that on the side to wash everything down!

Cheddar and Beer Fondue

Ingredients:                                                                                                                      
3 cups cubed multigrain bread, (1 inch)                                                                                                                 
1 lb potatoes, cut into chunks and boiled until tender                                                                                    
4 links fresh Bratwurst (about 16 oz) or other mild pork sausage                                                                               
1½ cups (6 oz) Tillamook Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded                                                                                      
1½ cups (6 oz) Tillamook  Vintage White Medium Cheddar Cheese, shredded                                  
1½ cups (6 oz) Tillamook Vintage White Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded                                             
1 tablespoon flour                                                                                                                          
1½ teaspoons dry mustard                                                                                                                         
1 cup amber ale, chilled                                                                                                                
1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce                                                                                                                      
½ teaspoons Tabasco sauce                                                                                                                    

Directions:
Heat oven to 375˚F         
                                                                                                                                
Gather special equipment: fondue pot and fondue forks

Cut Bratwurst links diagonally into thick slices.  Bake on foil lined cookie sheet for about 15 minutes until cooked.

In medium bowl, toss cheese with flour and mustard. In two-quart saucepan set over medium heat, whisk ale with Worcestershire and Tabasco® sauces. Add cheese, whisking constantly until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Bring to a simmer and continue to stir until fondue thickens. Pour immediately into heated fondue pot. Serve with prepared bread, potatoes, and sausage.

By Laura