Does Guinness taste better in Ireland?

[FrancisB]

Is it true that Guinness tastes better in Ireland? A lot of people says it does, and my friend's girlfriend, who is part Irish, says it has a 'more fruity taste.'

But other people have said that this is just a misconception, and that it tastes the same, no matter where you go.

Has anyone here actually been to Ireland, and had a pint of Guinness? Does it taste better, different, or just the same?

[B00]

Just asked Mr Boo this as he was there recently, he said he couldn't tell the difference between one served there or here in good ol' Lancs.

[Androcles]

Years ago I worked in the Research Unit at Guinness, Park Royal, NW10.

There was no difference between the two breweries brewing methods, except that obviously there were differences in resourcing of the raw materials. he intention was always to produce a consistent product, wherever it was brewed.

It is a natural product, so there will be some slight variations, but generally, I think most people would be hard put to tell the difference in a taste test. It was often said that the turnover was higher in Ireland than the UK so maybe there is something about how long the keg has been open....

There is always the environment effect as well - There was another thread which talked about how the .local drink tastes terrific when you are on holiday, but the same drink tastes rubbish when you get home, so maybe that has something to do with it!

So just enjoy and don't worry about it!

[country_boy]

I thought it was smoother but it could have been the holiday thing!

[shaneystar2]

Not really an answer about how it tastes ..but my dear old Dad used to love a pint of Guinness.When I was a child he used to tell me this yarn of how they pumped the Guinness under the Irish Sea in huge pipes to England !!

[Jugglering]

Shaneystar - those pipes are still there you know - 1 yard in diameter with the top 6" left clear for the head ! Shhhhhhh, it's a secret...

[unruliejulie]

My hubby was there a short while ago and he said he couldnt tell a difference, apart from the price that is!

[filthiestfis]

I think that its all in the way that it is served. In virtually all pubs I have been to in England, Guinness hasnt been served properly i.e. topped up before its time. Therefore, if the Irish serve it properly then it tastes better in Dublin. Also its true that when you're on holiday, and at the power of suggestion, things taste better.

[Rock'n'Roll]

I've always found it much creamier and smoother in Ireland.
Takes ages to pour as they have to keep skiming the head of froth of the glasses. Here,just seems to get pumped into a glass with little or no problem,so there must be some difference

[Postdog]

All Guiness is imported from Ireland anyway. Personally, I've had some good pints and some duff pints, but I think as pointed out, it's all in the pouring.

[unruliejulie]

Guinness is gorgeous wherever you drink it! My opinion!

[candybar]

i'd say it tastes better! maybe just 'cause of being on holiday! but guinness doesn't travel well, and so quality will be lost slightly. it has to be better being served just a few miles from where it was brewed!

[shivvy]

Irish legend used to say that although Guinness can travel, it loses its taste whenever it crosses water. ie if kegs were transported from one part of ireland to another it would be fine, but if it were transported from ireland to england then it would never taste as good.
However since that time, guinness has developed breweries in 50 odd countries across the world so it rarely has to cross water!
The main difference in how guinness tastes however depends on "the craic" ie who you are with and the mood you are all in.

[stevie-p]

No difference found by me....Birmingham......Galway