GSteed: Your point is the one factor I worry about as I attempt to find my drinking beer for the trip--"dark" and "light" are not great cues as to the actual relative taste of any beer. Going back to my beer list, the darker Arrogant Bastard is a much broader-tasting, almost mellower beer than are the lighter in color but very edgy and hoppy Victory Hop Devil or Anderson Valley IPA.

It's so much a matter of individual taste,isn't it? And even my own marked preferences have exceptions. I hate sweetness in a beer (Michelob tastes like cotton candy to me). Ironically, Arrogant Bastard hits the sweet edge of the palate, but it's such a balanced beer that I enjoy it.

Anyway, I have written down your excellent suggestions, all of you, and will certainly give true Ireland Guinness a try before I move to the other taste tests.

GSteed, our kids and I have kidded my husband for years that his first question of any waiter has not been about the special or the menu but is always, "What is your hoppiest beer on tap?" He won't be there the first part of this trip, so I'm going to be the one having to ask that question. Have sworn the kids to secrecy.

That reminds me of a joke that goes somehthing like....

Group of Beer salesmen met at a resturant for dinner. When the waiter asked for their drink orders each ordered their respective companies Beer...all except the Guinness Salesman, he ordered a glass of "White Wine".
When asked why he ordered 'Wine" he smugly stated ..." Well if you guys are not going to drink beer why should I?"

John

When in Ireland, my main beer is Carlsberg, after I've pleasured my palate with a Guinness or Murphy, but I do dabble with others to give my tasty buds a full rainbow of flavors. You won't be disappointed as even the remotest pub takes it's craft seriously. Have a great trip!!

CIDER!!!! I also cannot drink the thick Guinness, but I love cider. Most of the pubs have at least one variety. Apple is more tart, and pear is more smooth. When I was in Ireland last summer, I convinced most of the ladies in my group to try cider, and they were all hooked by the end of the tour!

When I was in the U.K. and Ireland, I found the bitter to be better! I did taste the Guiness several times and it was different but I understand that was due to the skill of the bartender who pulls it. At least that is what I was told. I do prefer to drink it in a black and tan. If you like a nice, cool red or amber beer, try the bitter. Anyone know if we can get bitter here in the U.S.?

Just be sure to never, never pronounce it "SMITH WICKS" as you will be stared at and snickers will be heard throughout the pub. Just some simple advice for you. Never say it that way!

Carlsberg or Harps. They do carry coors light and bud in some bars, just like here.