Good night, Dublin

Posted at 1:11 pm by Patrick under Dublin + Belgium:2005

With 40 minutes to go before boarding my Ryan Air flight from Guinness-town to Charleroi (or Brussels South, as Ryan Air terms it), I decide to end my day trip with the other stout: Murphy’s.

Apparently, Guinness has cornered the market on branded pint glasses, as all of the pints here — Carlsberg, Miller (!!!), Murphy’s or otherwise — come in a Guinness glass.

Slainte, Dublin! Hoy, Brussel!

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Guinness goes small batch?

Posted at 7:18 am by Patrick under Dublin + Belgium:2005

While strolling through Temple Bar, I wandered into the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn to get a half (and a stop in the loo). To my surprise, I found a beer called Brew 39, by Guinness.

This is the first of the series, according to the beer mat, which will be a “range of new and different stouts…each available for six months only in selected bars.”

Brew 39 is different, as has “a distinct finish from the later addition of hops.” It does have a slightly more hoppy finish, but still won’t register on the palettes of our American Imperial/double everything sensbilities. I suspect we’ll never see this series of beers in the US, so you’ll have to take my word for it.

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I poured this pint!

Posted at 5:54 am by Patrick under Beer Photos, Dublin + Belgium:2005

After passing up the chance to learn the proper pour from a properly trained barperson, I couldn’t pass it up on my way back downstairs.

For a mere 4.95, I had Katie (a 2 year Guinness Storehouse veteran) teach me the finer points of a proper pour:

1) Keep glass at 45 degree angle to tap.
2) Don’t touch the nozzle to the beer or glass.
3) Pour, straightening the glass angle as it fills.
4) Fill glass to 3/4 full. Let sit for 2 minutes for cascading effect to lessen.
5) Top off glass by pushing back on tap (this prevents nitrogen from being mixed in again).
6) Enjoy!

As evidenced by my certificate and perfect pint, I am now trained to pour proper pints.

Pardon me while I enjoy the fruit of my labor.

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A proper pint

Posted at 5:09 am by Patrick under Beer Photos, Dublin + Belgium:2005

I have finally made my way to the Gravity Bar for my tour sample. Luckily Anna (pictured here) has loads of experience pulling perfect pints for Guinness enthusiasts from around the globe.

Speaking of which, I have heard all of the following languages while updating the site from the Gravity Bar: Gaelic (natch), German, Dutch, Spanish, ‘Merican (duh), Afrikaans, and one I could not place. Obviously, the black stuff has fans from almost everywhere.

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Good to see an old friend

Posted at 5:00 am by Patrick under Dublin + Belgium:2005

It’s been 6 years since my last visit to St. James’ Gate, and I am looking forward to seeing how the place has changed since then.

I can’t think of a better place to have a pint in Dublin than at Gravity Bar on the roof of the brewery.

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