 There's no better place to drink a pint of Guinness® than in Ireland, and drinking a pint of Guinness® in an Irish pub is high on many people's agenda for a vacation to Ireland.
The Guinness Story
Guinness® is Ireland's biggest export, enjoyed in 150 countries around the world, in cities from Dublin to Darwin! The story of the black stuff starts in 1759 with Arthur Guinness. Born in 1725 in Co. Kildare, Arthur was the son of the Archbishop of Cashel's steward and brewer. In 1759, at the age of 31, Arthur Guinness set up his own brewery at St. James Gate in Dublin. In 1799, Arthur was to make the instrumental decision to cease brewing traditional ales in favor of brewing the dark black stout, then known as London Porter. Guinness® Stout was born and today is still brewed at St James Gate in Dublin, and almost 50 countries around the world.
The Perfect Guinness
What goes into the perfect pint of Guinness®? The ingredients of Guinness are specially roasted barley, water from St James' Wells in the Wicklow Mountains, hops, for flavor and aroma, yeast descended from Arthur Guinness' original batch and a touch of that Guinness® magic! But the perfect pint requires that all-important two part pour. Firstly, tilt the glass to a 45-degree angle and pour until three quarters full. Then leave the glass to rest and the pint to settle. Once settled fill up the glass and there you have your perfect pint of Guinness®.
Guinness in Ireland
Though Cork has Murphy's and Beamish Stout, Guinness® is undoubtedly the most widely enjoyed drink in Ireland and no trip to Dublin is complete without a pint at the Guinness Storehouse. Here in the original St James' Gate brewery visitors can see for themselves how Guinness® is brewed and enjoy the produce in the Gravity Bar overlooking the Dublin skyline.
US President Barack Obama, sampled a pint of Guinness in the home village of his Irish ancestors on his first visit to Ireland, and famously remarked after his first tatse that it does indeed taste better in Ireland.
Throughout Ireland, there are a number of historic Irish pubs where you can enjoy a perfect pint of Guinness®, while on your vacation in Ireland.
Guinness by another name:
- A Pint of the Black Stuff - so called for its dark color
- A Pint of Plain - as quoted in Flann O'Brien's ‘At Swim Two Birds'
- A Pint of Goodness - from the ad campaign "My Goodness, my Guinness"
- A Pint of Stout - the type of beer
- A Pint of Porter - as it was the porters in Dublin's markets' drink of choice in the 18th century
If you would like more information on Ireland, on our suggested Irish self drive or Escorted vacations please contact one of our Ireland based Guides who can provide you with a free quote.
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