I agree with Bill: the canned Guinness both in Ireland and the US is not bad. My husband is from Ireland, and before Guinness started teaching American bartenders how to pour the black stuff, that's all he would drink. The bottled stuff is disgusting, however.

Anyway, don't listen to the beer snobs: drink what you like.

Budman, it definately is the most fun beer to order. I love the look on people's faces when we order it, then the look on their faces when they sneak peaks at the bottle (it's huge, folks, with statements such as "You're not Worthy", "Keep refrigerator, numbskull" on it).

We just returned from the Emerald Isle two days ago. I had tried Guiness in the USA and thought it was terrible. The Guiness in Ireland, however, is a different story. I ended up drinking a pint with lunch everyday. We also drank Bailey's Irish Cream, Irish Mist, Jameson's, and Harp Beer. We earned it. We hiked 10-12 miles/day in the most beautiful country imaginable.

Ahhh, Arrogant Bastard. That is a fine brew. Guinness on tap in restaurants can range from terrible to above average. I'm not sure what causes the difference. I've had on tap guinness in the States that was absolutley flat, though that was a number of years ago.

Though there is a difference in the Guinness that is served in Ireland, I don't find it to be an enormous difference so much as to desribe the US version as a pale American lager. What I do find to be quite different is the Bailey's. My understanding is that the liquor in the Irish version is mainly, if not all, Irish whiskey, while the exported stuff claims a high percentage of "distilled irish spirits".

Bill

Bill,

I understand its a whisky cream liqueur. My friends mother used to make her own with condensed milk and a few other ingredients including whisky. Wish I had the recipe...anyone have it out there?

Also I find the Guinness usually skunked in America (my pals reference for stale off Guinness). It is like a fresh guinness here thats been sitting for too long in the glass.

I mentioned earlier that I too find the Bailey's better in Ireland. I've been told that because it's not exported that the cream content is higher and also not loaded with the preservatives needed to export it. Whatever the case, it certainly is better in Ireland than out.

Siobhan, my sister makes this. I just emailed her for the recipe and I'll post if she sends it (if someone doesn't share theirs first!).

Where are you landing? In Dublin, go directly to the Guinness Brewery and taste for yourself, as well as learn about the process. It's nitrogenated, unlike carbonated beers you are most familiar with. The view of Dublin from the top is not to be missed.

Then get yourself over to Tullamore (Tullamore Dew is THE BEST irish whiskey IMHO) and the Midleton Distillery outside of Cork where Jameson's is made and distributed. Take the tour and at the end of the tour, when your guide asks for volunteers. Raise your hand immediately and jump up and down. You will be selected! Here's a pic of me after having been selected. The results are in hand!
http://rigel.csuchico.edu/~pubscout/Staff/Shelley.html

You'll be an expert upon return!

on a bike trip round County Galway a few years back, in late May (which can be chillllly) I had a drink several time called a hot whiskey (I think that is correct, my memory fails me).

it was sooo good. I remember a lemon twist, not sure what else - maybe really just hot whiskey.

in a glass. it felt soooo good to wrap your hands around that glass.

...and btw, an Irish Coffee is made with Irish Whiskey, not Bailey's Irish Cream. If you ask for a Bailey's and Coffee, you might get a puzzled look in some remote pubs. This happened to me. I told the pub owner how I wanted it and she was very confused. She found a coffee cup, filled it with coffee and brought me a shot of BIC. Then asked me if I wanted sugar or cream???? This is not a common drink over there.

I have had a Baileys coffee many times with no problem. Possibly in a pub they are not used to coffee drinks as they are not often ordered in a pub. We usually order these after dinner instead of a dessert. Baleys coffee, Irish coffee, mexican coffee etc...no problem getting them.

Flygirl, that was a hot whisky and usually its given to people with a cold. Its just hot water, 1 measure of whisky, sugar and lemon. I put honey in mine! Also a hot port is a great winter warmer. 1 measure port 1 spoon (optional) sugar, hot water and a lemon slice with cloves pushed into it. Delicious!

I always put cloves in the lemon slice in my hot whisky.

Draught Guinness has come on light years recently in the US. It used to be awful, but Guinness had a concerted campaign several years ago to ensure the bars had the right equipment, and that bar staff were correctly trained in how to pour it. It made a huge difference. Yes, I still prefer the Guinness in Ireland, but there's not such a difference these days.

And it seems like when I did live in the US, I spent half of my life in bars surrounded by Irish men (not so-called Irish Americans) drinking Guinness, and they were happy enough with it.

Try a baileys mixed with brandy. It is a nice after dinner drink.

hippirep - I've never tried one of those (I don't think I should give their nickname) - the look just puts me off!!

Ann:

I agree that Guinness in the US has come a long way. It used to be pretty bad, but the improvement is pretty huge. I think one of the reasons (especially for the tourists, myself included) that Guinness tastes better in Ireland is that you happen to be in Ireland drinking it. Part of it is surely psychological, though probably not all.

Years ago there was the big Coke vs. Pepsi debate and some independent company decided to do a taste test that included some fanatics. Though I don't have the results in my head anymore, it showed that the average fanatic couldn't tell the difference any better than anyone else.

Bill

Am not sure where we got this recipe for Bailey's, but we made a lot of it for Christmas one year, and we were very popular for a few days afterwards! It was quite good:
3/4 cup white creme de cacao
1 cup Irish Whiskey
1 cup half & half
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
1 tsp. chocolate syrup
Blend for 2 minutes/make 2 days ahead. Shake before serving (makes 1 quart)
Enjoy!

wow, that is a low-calorie drink!

We leave in two days. And I am carrying with me a list of all the great suggestions I got from this website. Thank you! I can't wait to try them all.