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Irish Toast at Rathskeller

Thirteen lucky contestants raised their mugs last Friday in the fourth round of the Indianapolis Irish Festival Toast Contest. Liquor makes a dicey co-pilot for any mic jockey, but the fates smiled on the sardines and sardinas packed into the Biergarten at the Rathskeller as the contest yielded two parts Erin Go Bragh for every one part Erin go blah, blah, blah.

Each contestant had one minute to wax rhapsodic on their favorite element of Irish culture. Most chose rhymed couplets but a handful opted for a kind of shotgun exuberance in which phrases spilled out, semi-coherently, in a half blurted and half shouted style that we dubbed blouting.

Apparently, when blouting, it’s crucial that every sentence be spoken at warp speed and conclude with arms raised over your head, punctuating a Viking war whoop. Clearly best saved for the yet to be organized Sons of Norse Toast Off.

Kimberly Miller, a non-blouter, took top honors with a tribute to her three best friends, each a variety of Irish spirit or ale. Aye, now that’s good toastin’.

You still have a few opportunities to get involved. The Toast will be at Pat Flynn’s (5198 N. Allisonville) and Claddagh Irish Pub North (3835 E. 96th) on Sept. 10 and at the Aristocrat Pub (5212 N. College) on Sept. 11. The winner of each contest advances to the grand finale to compete for two round-trip tickets to Ireland. For more information on locations, times and prizes go to www.indyirishfest.com.