On Wednesday, Court Street was brimming with Ohio University Bobcats decked out in their green outfits, passionate about Green Beer Day, a day dedicated to drinking alcohol and socialization between students.
This Green Beer Day was no different, and light rain in the evening did little to dampen the celebration.
Athens' first Green Beer Day was celebrated in 1952, after students adopted the holiday from Miami University, according to a previous report by The Post. Green Beer Day was a St. Patrick's Day celebration for Miami, but Ohio University already bleeds green, so students decided the holiday suited the town of Athens as well.
The C.I. is a popular spot for OU students, and many stopped in on Wednesday to take advantage of its $5 green beer pitchers, $6 two-shot deals and green vodka drinks. Patrick Haley, a junior studying finance, worked from 3 p.m.-8 p.m. in The C.I.’s basement on Wednesday, during the “darty” rush.
Haley said the night was busy but fun, and many bartenders' hands were dyed green. He said they had a bottle of vodka dyed green for their mixed drinks and explained how the beer came from the tap automatically dyed.
“When it's a tap beer, the way we do it is the distributor that we buy our kegs from, there's a way to pump the dye into the keg before they give it to us,” Haley said. “When that gets hooked up to the keg taps downstairs it comes out green for the entire keg.”
Haley said he had a good time celebrating the holiday once he got off work, and said he spent some time at The C.I. and The Crystal before heading to Courtside Pizza to grab a bite to eat. He compared the taste of the green beer to a regular one with some friends and said no one could tell the difference between the two.
Haley said Green Beer Day is a perfect time for students to enjoy themselves after winter and prepare themselves for the freedom of spring break.
“For me, it's really fun, because my name being Patrick, I love St. Patrick's Day stuff,” Haley said. “It's a lot of fun seeing everybody out there in their green and their Irish gear.”
Estelle Peterson, a sophomore studying communications, started her Green Beer Day around noon or 1:30 p.m., and spent a couple hours at Stephen’s, Courtside Pizza and Bob’s Bar. She said she celebrated last year but went home a little early.
Peterson said she was planning to go “wherever the wind takes” her for the remainder of the day.
“I mean, besides the fact that the beer is green, I really love it just to hang out with my friends during the day,” Peterson said. “I love doing things when it's warm outside.”
Many students got up on Wednesday, got ready before their morning classes, and headed to the bars after most opened between 11 a.m. and noon. This day comes once a year, and Bobcats were determined to make the most of it.
Tatum Masi, a junior studying environmental science and sustainability, participated in the Green Beer Day celebrations for the first time this year. Masi said she skipped two of her classes on Wednesday and was planning on grabbing pizza before taking an exam at 5 p.m.
“We had fun, we went to Stephen’s and we went to The C.I., now we’re going to get pizza at Courtside,” Masi said. “So, it’s been nice.”
Masi came out with Sammy Darling, a junior studying interior architecture, and Madeline Muth, a junior studying interior architecture. The women were all wearing matching green necklaces, and said they began partying at noon.
It was Muth’s third year participating in the Green Beer Day festivities, and she was enjoying her time with friends.
“This is probably my favorite (year),” Muth said. “I feel like the vibes are so up today, and I like the people that I’m with.”
The girls said they loved the amount of green in the streets, as well as the dedication of many bars dyeing their beer green.
Darling mentioned how nice the weather was, and said she was glad it was not raining. Later, though, around 6 p.m., rain was beginning to drizzle down on those barhopping on Court Street.
Green Beer Day is a holiday students anticipate throughout the fall and winter semesters, and the downpour interrupting their last hurrah before spring break did not discourage many. Many students were leaving the bars and taking cover under business entryways, trying to decide on their next location.
Matthew Lybarger, a senior studying finance, started his Green Beer Day at around 2 p.m. He said he was feeling “pretty good,” although he preferred when the skies were clearer.
“I don’t like the rain,” Lybarger said. “I think it’s pretty bad, I wish it was no rain.”
Lybarger said Green Beer Day was “awesome” and visited The C. I. and The Crystal, and said he planned on heading back to The C.I. to meet with some friends.
“It’s a day to have fun with friends, you know?” Lybarger said. “A good day to relax.”
