Guide to Drinking in Ireland

1. Getting to the bar

In a packed pub, getting to the bar can be an aggressive affair. The oldest bar patrons tend to congregate around the entire circumference of the bar as they want to see everything happening in their local watering hole. Shoulders and elbows must be used, and literally picking up a person and moving them to a more convenient location is an option if they are small enough. Locals will want to get into deep conversation with you once they hear your accent so venturing to the bar when you still have half a pint left is the best idea.

2. How to order your Guiness

Asking for “The Black Stuff” will get you your pint wherever your going.

3. Pouring the ultimate Guiness

As we learned in the Guiness Storehouse, in many ways Guiness is unlike any other beer, including it’s pouring method.

After filling a tilted glass leaving an inch from the top, you must sit down the beer and let it settle for 60 seconds. Once the bubbles have stopped dancing, you can top off the rest of your pint without creating too much of a “foam head.”

4. Go slow

Guiness is a heavy beer and should be savored, some even compare it to a meal. Too much too fast could lead to disaster, so pacing yourself is your only hope of survival. Compared to North America, pubs stay open much later and require more drinking endurance.

If you happen to over indulge, at least you have the morning “fry” of sausages, rashers, eggs and toast to cure your morning hangover.

Slainte!