RSS
News


Home Page > News > Scientists reveal that Guinness really does taste better in Ireland

Scientists reveal that Guinness really does taste better in Ireland

The secret revealed why a pint of plain is better in the Old Sod

Published Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 7:31 AM
Updated Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 7:31 AM

print this article Print
email this articleE-mail
comment on article 34 Comments
 

Pints of the black stuff
Pints of the black stuff


Read more: Help us find the best pint of Guinness stout in the U.S.

Visit our special St. Patrick's day section

Thousands of bars worldwide claim they serve the best pint of Guinness in the world, but the majority of beer drinkers agree that Guinness simply tastes better in Ireland. Now there is scientific proof.

Scientists at the Institute of Food Technologists carried out a taste survey in 33 cities in 14 countries. The majority of their testers said they enjoyed the pints of the black stuff better in Ireland than any other country.

The study claims to scientifically prove that Guinness does not travel well.

The group used 103 non-expert testers from different countries and brought them to 71 different pubs. Factors such as pub ambiance, Guinness appearance, flavor and aftertaste were all considered.

They marked each pint of Guinness on a Visual Analogue Scale of one to 100. Ireland received an average of 74, while the other countries marks averaged at just 57.

A celebrated beer author, Pete Brown, told the “Daily Mail” the idea that Guinness is better in Ireland could simply be all in our heads. He said, "Drinking Guinness in Ireland is always going to be more enjoyable than in London or Paris, or anywhere else.

"There is a feeling of authenticity that you associate with drinking a beer in its true home, so the ambiance you feel in an Irish pub would be like no other.

"People will go to Dublin with the intention of ordering a pint of the black stuff, so you're already gearing yourself up for that satisfaction before it's passed your lips.

"It marks the end of a pilgrimage for real Guinness lovers for sure.”

However, he did say that having a “proper” Guinness would heighten the drinker’s enjoyment, and therefore it is probably better to drink it locally.

Brown said, "In Irish pubs you can order a Guinness knowing that the tap has been flowing all day, so you'll never get a pint which has sat in the pipes for an hour. Whereas in London, it could have been there all day.

“The locals also tend to know their own beer inside out, so you'll get it at the right temperature, in the right glass and with the right head. That's really important.”

Do you agree with the scientists? Where did you have your best pint of Guinness?

Read more: Help us find the best pint of Guinness stout in the U.S.

Visit our special St. Patrick's day section

Most Emailed on IrishCentral

Most Popular on IrishCentral

​
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail


34 Comments

15 - 34 | See all comments

abhainn | May 27, 2011, 06:18 PM EDT
I have drunk stout — Beamish, Guinness, or Murphy's — outside of Ireland and it was usually excellent. Once I had a sour pint in Dieppe: that was the only bad experience. It's enjoyable to drink stout anywhere.
Report abuse
maryjeandc | Mar 14, 2011, 06:53 PM EDT
The only people who don't know this...are those that never tasted Guinness in Ireland!
Report abuse
ballyhip | Mar 10, 2011, 05:39 PM EST
AitkenDrum has it correct as the highest alcohol content is Nigerian Guinness. As a onetime home brewer I admire the consistency of Guinness in Ireland but it is really the pour that sets it apart from the US. Can you imagine a US bar taking 3 minutes to pour a Guinness? As for the best from a 1st gen American who has lived and worked there and visited so many times I can't remember, it is the last one of the night at Shoot the Crows in Sligo with Ronan thumping out his world music from his CD collection. And if your funds are running low you could try to find a pub that serves Beamish for a few cents less.
Report abuse
Dunromin | Mar 10, 2011, 05:20 PM EST
Best pint of Guinness? Why The Small Bridge in Dingle.
Report abuse
gorman55 | Mar 10, 2011, 04:42 PM EST
I was fortunate enough to visit the Gravity Bar twice in 4 months---but my second place vote goes to the Danny Mann Pub in Killarney. But just as important is who you are drinking with!
Report abuse
grnd10ka | Mar 10, 2011, 03:42 PM EST
My personal record is 5 small pints plus one or two big pints of guinness per one night in Wexford town I think:-) (I am 48 kg of weight...small woman) After this I felt a bit dizzy but next day I felt ok without feeling sick. There is one irish pub in my town in Slovakia, but the guinness definitelly doesnt taste so great like in Irelad. I must go back, I miss my pint:-)
Report abuse
mayoman | Mar 10, 2011, 02:14 PM EST
Well, we all know that the best pint is to be had in Mayo.
Report abuse
KillarneyLass | Mar 10, 2011, 10:56 AM EST
No doubt, Guinness is better in Ireland..but you can get a decent pint in the US too. I had my last pint on Saturday in O'Neill's on 3rd Avenue, NYC -- it was only ok, but it definitely satisfied the urge. Mind you, Irish bartenders and on both pints I had to ask them retop...they should recognize their Irish customers, and do better.
Report abuse
mthazel | Mar 10, 2011, 07:19 AM EST
Completely agree with ClanDalton about Ruanes, Castleblakeney. The perfect pint is there!!
Report abuse
veryluckyone | Mar 10, 2011, 01:16 AM EST
I have to agree that Guiness (and a lot of other things as well) are better in Ireland.
Report abuse
AitkenDrum | Mar 09, 2011, 10:29 PM EST
Not that many years back all the Guiness came from Dublin, London and Nigeria. Nowadays you don't know where it comes from. In Australia, it's made by Fosters for Diageo and is 6% rather than 4.5% alcohol. Part of it is the water used, but my suspicion is that much of today's Guiness uses local ingredients and the actual recipes may vary since different countries have different alcohol content. Variation from brewery to brewery is true of all beers that have noticable flavor. Sam Adams draft Boston Lager is miles better than bottled. The draft is brewed in Boston. The bottled is brewed in Cincinnati.
Report abuse
ellenfromcork | Mar 09, 2011, 07:43 PM EST
Sirpeter,you are 200% correct about Murphys Stout !!!
Report abuse
cajuntom | Mar 09, 2011, 05:31 PM EST
I remember working in a warehouse in Dublin about fifty years ago, and when there was a delivery to St. James' Gate, there'd be murder trying to get on the lorry as a helper. That free pint was like gold. (and I was only fifteen years old)I never had a drink of any kind here in the U S of A that made me feel like that.
Report abuse
cajuntom | Mar 09, 2011, 05:21 PM EST
Do you mind........you're making me homesick!
Report abuse
ClanDalton | Mar 09, 2011, 05:18 PM EST
Guinness is always the best tasting beer, but it tastes best at Christy Ruane's in Glentane, Castleblakeney, Galway. Guinness is only fit to drink in Ireland...
Report abuse


IrishCentral Mobile QR code


Connect to IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or Sign-Up directly

Already Registered? Sign-In!

Welcome to IrishCentral!
Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Username:
E-Mail Address:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy


Welcome to IrishCentral!
All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US

E-Mail Address:
First select a unique username:
Username:
Now choose a password:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Thank you!

Just one more step and you will be part of the largest Irish community in America! Tell us a little more about you to start enjoying all the features of IrishCentral.

Additional Information:

First Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Zip:
Gender: Male  Female 
Country:
Degree of Irishness:
Household Income:
Level of Education:

Subscribe to our newsletters:

The Best of IrishCentral - Daily Newsletter
Special Offers from our sponsors

or
Skip

You can edit your information at any time, just go to "my account" when you're logged in.

Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password
Not a member? Register Now!