The Peach Pit: We'll Start with the Beer

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

We'll Start with the Beer

« 0 Days Since Ireland | Main | Dublin Day 1 »

Because, really...where else would you start when talking about Ireland? And Dublin especially where Guinness is made.

Beer out of the tap in Ireland is like no other nectar of the gods you will taste anywhere in the world. It cannot be overstated how good the stuff is.

We took a bus tour on our second day in Dublin during which we passed by the Guinness factory. The factory rests in the heart of Dublin, just down the street from Hell's Corner where in years of old those men who chose to drink their wages would sometimes wake up the next morning to find themselves conscripted on a ship bound for the West Indies.

But enough of that...back to the beer....

Oh, wait, one more thing. Did you know that the original Guinness founder and his wife whelped 21 children? Our tour guide on the bus said that goes to show you that just a little bit of Guinness in you will do the trick....wait...what?

Anyway....our live tour guide on the bus likes Guinness from what I gather. Here's a paraphrased snippet of his narration as we passed by the factory:

"Aaahhh would ye just smell that? Aaahhh, Guinness. The fine creamy foam resting atop that tan tarry nectar, slowly seeping its creamy goodness down into the cup. The glass cool in your hand...the condensation slowly running down the sides.....your throat dry as the Arizona desert.....you take the glass and bring it to your mouth and take your first drink after a long hard day....aaahhh yes, Guinness. Aye, there's nothing finer than a pint of that tarry sweet nectar....okay then, back to the tour...."

Aaahh yes,....Guinness. But there's another beer that's a bit lighter and just as good. It's called Smithwick's. Tommy had it on several past trips to Dublin so I gave it a try. Words cannot describe how good the stuff is. Creamy, smooth, rich red ale it is. Mmmmm.....Smithwick's.

Here are some pictures of the taps at the little bar in our hotel by the Liffey River.