Happy St. Patrick’s Day to one and all. Since this glorious occasion happens to serendipitously occur on a scheduled publishing day, I figured we’d celebrate in irreverent style by rhapsodizing poetic on that most magical of elixirs, the wondrous world-famous stout known as Guinness.
A FROTHY PRIMER
For the uninitiated, the origin story of Guinness is as frothy, delicious and intoxicating as the beer itself.
It began in Ireland in the 1700s. It was common that the water in Ireland (and mostly all of Europe) was hideously undrinkable. “It was a disease ridden, starvation-plagued age and Christians like Arthur Guinness, as well as monks and churches, brewed beer that provided a healthier alternative to the poisonous water and liquors of the times.” This is where the tale of Guinness began.
As goes the official history, in 1759 Arthur Guinness, at the age of 34, signed the lease for the St. James Gate brewery in Dublin. In what likely amounts to one of the greatest business deals of all time, he leased the brewery for 9000 years at an annual rate of 45 pounds. This also included the rights to all water needed for brewing. This original lease is on full display and is set into the floor of the entrance into the Guinness Storehouse. Arthur quickly began to rehabilitate the previously unused, decrepit brewery and started the Guinness operation in earnest. By 1769, he had scaled to the point where he could distribute beer to all of England.
Since then, Guinness has continued to grow to become one of the world’s most famous brands along with a notable and lauded legacy of local and global generosity and giving. As American Spectator editor, Emmett Tyrrell once stated, “It’s a rare brew that takes faith, philanthropy and the frothy head of freshly-poured Guinness and combines them into such an inspiring narrative.
GUINNESS FUN FACTS
- It takes 199.5 seconds to pour the perfect pint of Guinness. Yes, when you’re in the pub, this actually feels like an eternity, but, I’ve found, the wait for a “perfect pour” is worth it. Bonus points if the barman puts a shamrock in the head.
- The actual color of Guinness is ruby red. Yeah, I know most think it’s a dark brown, but when held in the sunlight, one can easily discern the red tint from the barley.
- Guinness was one of the first companies ever to offer employee benefits. Beginning in 1928, all Guinness employees were entitled to on-site medical and dental care. To boot, they also received 2 free pints after the end of each shift.
- The iconic Guinness harp logo was one of the first trademarks in the U.K. The harp and Arthur’s signature originally appeared on bottles in 1862 and were trademarked in 1876.
- The Guinness Book of World Records was originally created to help settle pub arguments. The book was started by Hugh Beaver, then Managing Director, when he could not find a reference book to determine that the golden plover was the world’s fastest bird. The original edition was then distributed for free to pubs across the U.K.
- Guinness can be beneficial to the heart. Legitimate research has found that “antioxidant compounds” in Guinness, similar to those found in fruits and veggies, are responsible for slowing down the deposits of cholesterol in arterial walls.
A LIQUID BOND: GUINNESS IN LITERATURE
For many, particularly in Ireland and the UK, Guinness and pub culture play an instrumental part of growing, bonding, socialization, friendship, and family. For me, no one can describe or accurately portray this better than Ireland’s most famous contemporary author, the Booker Prize-winning, Roddy Doyle.
As Doyle once said, “A big measure of the move from boyhood to manhood was being served in a pub. If you could order a pint of Guinness and the barman accepted the order, gave you a pint, took your money in return, you were a man.”
While pubs and pints of Guinness are ubiquitous throughout many of his novels, they are perhaps best featured in the insightful and hilarious Two Pints where two men meet for a pint in a Dublin pub. They chew the fat, set the world to rights, take the piss. They talk about their wives, their kids, their kids’ pets, their football teams. All of this over a few ounces of Guinness.
Doyle’s newest book, “Love,” released in 2020, is perhaps his greatest ode in that its cover prominently feature’s a pint of Guinness. Even more so, is that “Love” takes place, largely, in a pub, where two estranged friends are reunited for a last evening of drinking. It explores that language of friendship and mines the past over many, many pints. Reliving lives and youths in the context of late middle age tempered with concealed sorrow and burning secrets.
The two books are a perfect way to lazily enjoy a St. Patrick’s (or any day for that matter) while slowing sipping a pint. In fact, you really can’t go wrong with any of Doyle’s novels and I particularly suggest the Barrytown Trilogy of “The Commitments,” “The Snapper,” and “The Van.” (all of which were made into great films as well for you who prefer that medium).
PINT-FULLS OF MEMORIES
You may find it shocking that, while certainly my favorite stout, Guinness is not my favorite beer. That distinction goes to another Irish brewer, Caffrey’s Ale with Germany’s Erdinger in a very close second. However, Guinness holds a very deep, very special place in my heart.
It has less to do with the drink and is more focused on the pint-fulls of amazing memories I’ve had while sharing a Guinness with friends old and new. All across the UK, from crowded drink halls in London’s Soho to dark, secluded tiny pubs in the Scottish isles to quiet homes in Wales, I’ve experienced some of my life’s most wonderful moments – laughing, sharing, conspiring, rejoicing, and simply exhilaratingly living a life in the moment. For this, I owe Guinness a debt of gratitude for being a peculiar vehicle of sorts to help enable human connections; to create real human experiences.
All that said, one thing’s for certain – there is definitively and only one place to have the most gratifying pint in the universe. That, of course, is at the Gravity Bar, perched high atop the Guinness Storehouse inside the St. James Gate. It is, without exception, the perfect pint in the perfect place with the perfect view. A must if you ever have a chance.
Nowadays, I tend not to drink much Guinness. For me, only Guinness brewed at the St. James Gate can be called the real-deal. It really does taste different. Must be that Irish water. Anyway, it’s Fuzzy Fate, Max’s, Birthday today so we celebrate “St. Max’s Day” instead.
While there’s no Guinness today, I just booked 2 trips to the UK for October this year and again in Feb 2022, so I’ll defer my frothy St. Patrick’s pints until then.
Wishing a happy, safe and memorable St. Patrick’s Day to all!
Slainte!
“The Guinness Book of World Records was originally created to help settle pub arguments. The book was started by Hugh Beaver, then Managing Director, when he could not find a reference book to determine that the golden plover was the world’s fastest bird. The original edition was then distributed for free to pubs across the U.K.”
…
…
…
How I never put the book and beer together is currently blowing my mind. Going to need a couple moments to recover after that one.
Thanks for the comment Tag. Many folks are unawares of the beer and book connection. I suggest a fine pint of Guinness to settle your blown mind.
Cheers!
I also have a ton of good memories while drinking a Guinness over the years. Even though I can’t do it anymore, I’ve gotten into some really good NA craft beers, so I was able to enjoy a stout this past St. Patty’s day for the first time in a while.
My fondest memory of Ireland was actually having a Guiness at the Gravity Bar. My sister lived in London for 5 years and when I was visiting her we did a weekend trip to Ireland. She kept telling me that it would most likely be overcast when we visited the brewery, but to my luck it was a clear and sunny day. The view was amazing from those glass walls and we could see all of Dublin. And you’re right, the Guinness just does taste better when you’re over there. Haha.
Cool facts Mr. Fate. Great post for a great holiday.
Hey Q-Fi and hope the brunt of the big move is over. Yep, we are agreed that there is no finer pint to be had then a Guinness at the Gravity Bar. I’ve been a couple of times and, like you, the weather was perfect each time with a glorious view of Dublin!
I’m late to the party, but man, what a great post.
Add me to the list of people that was planning to visit Ireland in 2020, but had to postpone thanks to Covid-madness. Thankfully it’s not such a long journey from the UK, so hopefully I’ll get to visit soon enough. I’m taking notes from this post and the comments about places to visit, haha.
I’ve never considered myself a huge pub person, but am definitely missing the option to visit one if the occasion arises. I don’t think I’ve been in over a year now. UK lockdown is slowly being eased once again, and our vaccine rollout seems to be surprisingly successful so far, so I’m hoping that it’s not much longer before I can visit one again!
Hey Doc and Happy belated St. Pat’s. Sorry to hear your Ireland trip was scuttled, but hopefully you’ll get there soon. Since we don’t have legit pubs here in the U.S., I love going to them when I visit. I really enjoy fresh, cask ale without all the preservatives and other junk enjoyed in a nice casual setting and perhaps with a bit of grub and friends to share it with. Hope your get your vaccination soon and can hit your local.
Amen. We brewed a dry Irish stout and put it on tap at our Brewpub just over a year ago, so we’d have a crowd favorite for the greatest of drinking holidays. Unfortunately, we shut our doors, never to reopen, just a few days before St. Patty’s Day. I did fill up a pony keg and bring it home though! Thanks for sharing some history of a legendary brew.
Thanks Adam. Man, I wish I could have sampled some of that dry stout – sounds amazing. Glad you were able to save a wee bit for your self. Glad you enjoyed the article and Happy St. Pat’s!
This might be my favorite post so far. You combined some of my fav subjects such as history and beer (though I’m on self imposed dry spell for the foreseeable future). Guinness is one of my old man’s favorites. To be honest I’m not much of a stout guy, though I’ve never really given them a fair shot. I like a nice hoppy beer, doesn’t have to be an IPA. Just a few miles north of me is craft brewery heaven.
I’ll be in Europe this October as well. We’re going to Portugal. I had London in my cancelled March 2020 itinerary. Lucky you. I keep missing the UK and Ireland on my trips. It’s never been on the top of my list, but my fav countries usually end up being the ones that I don’t think twice about. One day I’ll make it there.
Hey Noel and Happy St. Pat’s. Glad you enjoyed the article. I tried to make it somewhat fun and engaging, so I appreciate the feedback.
That trip to Portugal sounds amazing. It’s on my bucket list for sure, so I hope you give a full report when you get back. I’d also say that London and even more so, the English countryside is absolutely worth seeing. Scotland, Ireland and Wales are all also gorgeous.
Had a trip planned for Ireland last summer, which obviously did not come to fruition. I will more than likely defer international travel to 2022 but I think I’ll go pick up a six pack of Guinness in the meantime! Had no idea about the Guinness Book of World records!
Hey IF and Happy St. Pat’s! Sorry your Ireland trip didn’t happen and I hope you get there in 2022. My favorite place there is the small town of Galway on the Western part, but really all of it is spectacular.
Hope you’re nipping on a pint now and enjoying the day. Getting the final touches on the corned beef feast over here now. Slainte!
good one, mr. fate. i have a green polyester sport coat from sears with guinness stains all down the front. part of the charm is the jacket used to belong to my father’s older coworker, loe lyons, who passed away back in the 80’s. i’ve been sporting it up twice a year since the early 90’s on march 17th and on masters weekend. guinness is a great beverage. i really don’t enjoy the modern “craft brew” bars fancied by the youth but i can tolerate them if they are smart enough to put in a guinness tap. most will not.
good for you booking those trips. i know you like it over there.
Hey Freddy and Happy St. Pat’s! I totally need to see a pic of that green poly sport coat – that’s got to have massive character!
I hear you on the over-ratedness of the craft beer (though some is good), but if there’s Guinness on tap, I’ll always get one (or any U.K. cask ale). Sadly, not a lot of those places around.
Yep, I’m stoked on those upcoming trips. It’s been too long on the international adventure front.