A thought on the 4th of July in Ireland

I was reading Thoms blog over at Blackcat Brewery and he hit on something I have been thinking about.
The 4th of July is a purely American Holiday yes, but just like St Patricks day has been embraced around the world due to Irish emigrants living abroad and so too is Independence day for the Americans celebrated to some degree in other countries due to US Immigrants in other countries.
I remember years ago when the aircraft carrier JFK was in Dublin that there was a big 4th of July party in Dun Laoghaire.

There were some token events this year, Captain America's in Tallaght had something going on from what I heard on the radio. What I did not hear about, and what Thom mentioned was the lack of pubs jumping on the bandwagon and having an American beer weekend or festival. With so many wonderful American craft beers available in Ireland, it is such a shame and a wasted opportunity from a business point of view.

Think about it, in the last census if I remember correctly there were over 65000 Americans (USA) living in Ireland (including my wife), add to that the hundreds and hopefully thousands that were here on business or vacation that weekend. I am pretty disappointed with the Porterhouse in particular as they have plenty of festivals during the year. In fact they have a Belgian festival in a few weeks time. This would have been one weekend to increase sales. Promote American beers, perhaps discount them and stick up some American flags outside their pubs. Play some American music, perhaps some Springsteen would have gone down well. Perhaps even the theme music to Team America?

Now to be honest, I was not in Dublin that day so I can not say that no one took advantage but nothing was advertised and there was certainly nothing planned for the Porterhouse that weekend so I assume it was business as usual. Perhaps next year some places might decide to give it a go but this year was missed as the 4th was a Saturday and the weather has been good recently. Next year it could be a miserable Summer and the 4th is on Sunday so not as good but its still on the weekend so should be taken advantage of.

It is not only July the 4th that pub owners should be looking to capitalise on. There are plenty of countries with large expat communities here that should have their national holidays represented with mini festivals run in craft beer pubs.
Bastille day is on the 14th, now this is a Tuesday but might be still worth putting up a few French flags and promoting some French beers, the French after all do have some great craft beer.

So come on Irish pubs, lets have some capitalism initiative and cash in on foreign holidays.