Getting to know...Guinness

The social life of  Irish people is thankfully not as reliant on alcohol as it once was, but for many of you the famously black stout (a type of beer made from roasted malt or barley) Guinness is still synonymous with Ireland. It is something of an acquired taste, and perhaps not best suited to the taste buds of a young international student, but as an occasional drinker this writer would describe the experience as a slightly burned (from the roasted barley) and bitter taste underlying a creamy head, with a hint of coffee in the aftertaste.

The drink has a long history that is closely entwined with the famous brewery in Dublin City’s St James’s Gate, which opened for business in 1759 and is today a very popular tourist attraction. Guinness is one of Ireland’s most successful exports, and is today popular in countries all over the world, such as the UK and Nigeria. It’s not the only ‘black stuff’ you will come across in Ireland however; other stouts include Beamish and Murphy’s - a competitor to Guinness from Cork City (which competes fiercely with Dublin on most fronts!) that has a slightly sweeter taste.

Useful links:
www.guinnessstorehouse.com
www.drinkaware.ie