It’s long been claimed that Guinness just tastes better in Ireland, much like San Miguel is more enjoyable in a sunny Spanish plaza than a chilly British pub garden, says Matt Baird.
But Scientists at the Institute of Food Technologists conducted a 2011 survey where they marked each pint of Guinness on a Visual Analogue Scale of one to 100. Ireland received an average of 74, while the marks of other countries averaged at just 57, after adjusting for researcher, pub ambience, Guinness appearance, and the sensory measures of mouthfeel, flavour and aftertaste.
There’s reportedly also a quality inspection team for Guinness in Dublin, who assess the quality of the black stuff emerging from the pipes and taps, while the people behind the bar should also know a thing or two about pouring the perfect pint (it should never be a single pour).
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After a weekend of gamely tasting stout in Dublin’s bars, we didn’t experience a dodgy pint, but the Guinness at the brand’s own Open Gate Brewery next to the Storehouse Museum seemed to top the lot for us, and also gave us a chance to taste some of their more experimental brews (as well as some quality cheese and onion-loaded fries).
If you have Irish heritage, you can also find out whether your family is connected to one of Ireland's most recognisable exports as The Guinness Archive has partnered with genealogy website Ancestry to digitise its records.
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Where is the best place to go in Dublin for a pint of Guinness?
Touristy, yes, and locals often drink elsewhere, but The Temple Bar’s pubs and live Irish music are enormous fun every night (and day) of the week, especially in the summer months when drinkers spill out onto the pedestrianised street. You won’t want to spill your pint, however, with the prices reaching 10 Euros for a pint at the Temple Bar and Auld Dubliner. You do get enjoyable trad music with your glass of the black stuff, though.
What are the best Guinness alternatives?
While the famous harp logo adorns countless bars in Dublin, Guinness isn’t the only stout in town, however. Beamish stout, from Cork, is a tasty alternative, while Murphy’s Irish Stout, also from Cork, and O’Hara’s Stout from County Carlow all worth tasting. Guinness, meanwhile, has its own variations, including one of the most enjoyable alcohol-free beers currently on the market, Guinness Zero, and stronger variations in the form of Guinness Export.
