Comments on: Why Do The Irish Hate Guinness?

By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 08:09:10 +0000

Mike you are right – the mind set while in Italy is to allow Peroni (or Moretti, or whatever biera nazionale you are consuming in that land of wine drinkers) to attain perfection while at the same time knowing a can of that stuff back in the states is skunk juice. I guess you just have to be there. A cold beer in hot Florence is something to experience.
Back to Guinness: While in Dublin we toured the Guinness brewery (or ‘factory’ as my wife puts it) a very enjoyable touristical experience with it exhibits of advertising art and whatnot. Once you have ascended the place you are at a skyview bar where your pricey price of admission allows you a pint of the creamiest, most freshest Guinness that can be had anywhere on the planet. However, I had been told by a friend who’d previously been there that I’d be issued tickets for two glasses each. I asked my bartender about this, and was told the sampling had changed due to the fact many visitors couldn’t handle (or want) a second glass, the local prowlers would scarf up the tickets left behind and enjoy a drunk on the proceeds!

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:02:00 +0000

Mike, thats interesting about the different recipes, I have only had it from the tap and it sure seems to taste different here in the US!

What you said is true though, and to add to that, I currently live in KY where the horse business has brought in lots of Irish, many of which I have befriended. When I visit my local Irish pub, they all drink Bud Lite, including the hard core, hurling-playing owner. I cant comprehend this with all the good Irish and UK beers on tap!

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:48:34 +0000

Phil, as I mentioned to Greg, I don’t believe the Irish actually hate Guinness. The title was meant to be provocative. I witnessed boatloads of Irish drinking the black stuff while we were in Dublin.

Regarding Bud being the #1 selling beer in the U.S., keep in mind that Bud here is a fair deal cheaper than in other parts of the world (Ireland included). I know, at my local packy, it’s one of the cheapest beers available. That, coupled with uber-slick marketing and the fact that it’s virtually tasteless make it a cheap, quick and easy buzz.

I think your experience with Peroni underscores the main point of my post. Personally I find most Italian beer to be, by and large, awful (which is fine b/c they redeem themselves with their killer wines). But I’m sure the Peroni in Italy would probably taste quite good. I believe there’s a bit of psychology at play there.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:41:49 +0000

Greg, honestly the title was just meant to be provocative =).

Interesting tidbit though: I read an interview a while back with one of Guinness’ head brewmasters. He said that there are something like forty variations of the Guinness recipe sold around the world – all suited to the particular tastes of a given country/locale.

BUT: the bottled Guinness here in the States is identical to the Guinness sold in Ireland. The canned Guinness here in the states is NOT the same though. Odd, but true.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:39:11 +0000

Preya, I’m sure you’re right – Bud’s certainly easy to drink, relative to the full flavor of Guinness anyway.

Dan, I’ve heard the same thing about Foster’s in Australia (i.e. it’s mostly a drink for tourists). To be honest, I’m a huge beer buff and I think Foster’s is pretty lousy.

By: Sea

Sea — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:33:37 +0000

Your post got me thinking - I've posted a response on my blog here: http://www.irelandlogue.com/about-ireland/miscellanea/the-irish-hate-guinness.html. One thing I didn't mention, though: after years of wondering myself, an Irish brewer I met finally explained to me that there is an actual, scientific reason for Guinness tasting different in Ireland: it's not pasteurized. I talked about this in my post on finding the perfect pint in Ireland: http://www.irelandlogue.com/about-ireland/bad-pintgood-pint-rules-for-finding-the-perfect-pint.html

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:00:26 +0000

If your premise were true, Bud would not be the #1 selling beer in the US – which it is. Guinness has always successfully marketed itself over here, but I can’t believe everyone I saw in the pubs of Dublin, Dingle, Doolin and Sligo downing Guinness were American tourists. Having travelled a fair portion of the globe I have always made sure I sampled the local brews, and have rarely been disappointed. Peroni is surprisingly good, but that may also reflect the degree of thirst one generates in Italy. But I have never bought a Bud anyhwere other than here in the US, so cannot verify its exoticness offshore. As to Ireland, if you want the most popular gin, don’t ask for Beefeater’s – ask for Cork.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:01:24 +0000

The Irish DO hate Guiness outside of Ireland, hehe. It tastes completely different in the States, no joke.

Also, if you are in Co Cork you have to drink the Murphys…the local equivalent to Guinness, or you might get some angry Corkonians looking at you.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:04:16 +0000

I think the same thing happens with Oz’s Fosters, it the big Australian export beer but no one here drinks it. TBH the last time I drank it I was a kid and although I’m not much of a drinker I’ve I don’t recall even seeing it available in a bottle shop.

By: Preyanka

Preyanka — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:36:59 +0000

My brothers drink Budweiser because it’s light. There are many people out there who do not enjoy the rich, flavorful (and bitter, to some) taste of beer. I’m going to guess it’s partly the novelty, like you say, and partly that Budweiser among the lightest beers served there.