St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, according to the History Channel. He was kidnapped from Roman Britain and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16, before escaping and returning to Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Day has culturally become a day when people dress in green and kick back a pint (or two) of green-colored beer. Here’s what to know before consuming the dye in your festive treats.

“While beer sales see a significant spike in the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, Guinness and other imports remain popular year-round,” says Andrea Starr, Total Wine’s senior director of merchandising for beer and hard beverages. “After the holiday, sales return to their typical levels, maintaining steady consumer demand.”