Ales in Ireland and Scotland
Dec 12th, 2000, 01:18 AM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Alan <BR> <BR>You travel to foreign lands at LEAST 6 times a year yet you think ordering non-local alcohol will cause a disturbance. Who on earth told you that - let me guess, Rick Steves? <BR> <BR>Tip 1 - learn which ale to drink? Why on earth would brewers stock other ales then? Possibly to start disturbances with foreigners. You enter and ask for a bud lite, the music stops everyone turns to face you and the guy playing darts misses. That sort of thing only happens in the movies (An American Werewolf in London, 1981) <BR> <BR>If someone was to tell you that in Britain, ordering anything from the bottom half of a menu is frowned upon, would you believe them? <BR> <BR>I help plenty of people but this posting is so obviously a troll (and if it isn't, be daring and order some seventy shilling) <BR> <BR>Um...Alan, what difference would it make if someone put their name? I cannot believe there are all these timid people out there thinking 'well if i put my name, tony may ridicule me'. Go poke it! <BR> <BR>Elvira - I hope not. <BR>Betty - this trip is no holiday!
Dec 12th, 2000, 05:11 PM
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Smithwicks. Order it when you're in Ireland. You can't get it here. And you won't get thrown out if you pronounce it "Smithicks", no "w" (which is, I think, how things are best). <BR>And, no, the Guinness Brewery is not near City Centre, but it's only a short bus ride. While you're out there, go just a bit further and visit Kilmainham Jail. May sound spooky, but it's where the activists who gained Ireland's freedom were imprisoned and, for some, executed.
Dec 13th, 2000, 01:02 AM
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
Nobody gives a fig what you order, the poster who said it would cause a diusturbance is only trying to cause a disturbance. <BR>Don't pay any attention, its not true. <BR> A friend used to delight in starting a long conversation with the oldest barman on the premises about which was the best whisky. <BR> He would then order it & drown it in Coke.The worst response he could elicit was a sour look.
Dec 13th, 2000, 08:19 PM
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
What a great thread! So many interesting responses. I can't wait to hit Dublin in February and order myself up a whisky and Guinness. So sorry that Tony had to join in and ruin everyone's fun and enlightment about the enjoyment of ale. Tony, I wish you luck in having a good time here in the US if you keep up this attitude. You won't be popular in any Texas bar with your unfriendly nature.
Dec 14th, 2000, 07:24 AM
#28
Guest
Posts: n/a
Frank's right--no barman cares what you order, as long as you pay for it. <BR> <BR>Smithwick's is the best non-stout beverage you can get in Ireland (I was disturbed to find I couldn't buy it in London), and Guiness, of course, is the best stout. <BR> <BR>My only advice is to watch how much you are charged. I've visited my husband's village in Ireland about 14 times, lived there for two years, and basically frequented the same pub in all this time. The new bar staff STILL tries to overcharge me when they hear my accent. It's a lot of fun to see their faces when they discover I know how much the drinks really are. I've encountered this in other pubs as well, in England, Scotland AND Wales. <BR> <BR>Also, if you are drinking with any locals, drinks are bought in rounds. You don't keep a tab, and you don't just pay for your own drinks. And as mentioned above, don't wait until everyone has finished their drinks to get your round in. <BR> <BR>You'll be surprised, and possibly dismayed to see just how popular Budweiser (it is better over there--Guiness brews it in Ireland), Miller and Rolling Rock are over there.
