Ireland: The A-Z Irish Glossary - 'V' is for Vitamin G
'Vitamin G'
With a Capital 'G'. Meaning that it is so good, it surpasses the qualification of 'beer'.
Guinness is a type of (some say the textbook definition of) stout. Like a typical stout, it is dark in colour, almost black and has a mildly bitter mellow taste. The creamy head that is commonly associated with a pull off the tap can be approximated using patented "widget" technology in cans. When pulling a pint off of a tap, it is customary to fill the glass roughly 2/3 to 3/4 full and let it sit before pulling the head.
Contrary to popular belief, Guinness may taste heavy, but actually is very low in alcohol and has less calories per serving than Coors Light making it a perfect anytime drink. Another bit of trivia - It is law in Ireland that if a bartender tips or spills the head of your Guinness, you are entitled to a fresh one. It's only natural...Damn straight!
It all began back in 1725 when Arthur Guinness was born in Celbridge, County Kildare. Due to an inheritance left to him by his godfather who happened to be the Archbishop of Cashel, Arthur Price, Guinness combined his new found wealth and fascination for brewing beer and decided to set up a brewing business in Leixlip, County Kildare in 1755. Two years later he moved the business to the Grand Canal at James’s Street, Dublin, where construction began
allowing access by water to Shannon Harbour and Limerick. This waterway later became vital to the brewery in the transport of casks and raw
materials, remaining important well into the 20th century. The Harp was introduced on the trademark buff oval label accompanying Arthur Guinness' signature and was registered as a trademark in
1876.
Now officially operating as Diageo Guinness plc (though the Guinness family still own 51% shares), Guinness 'stout' is now brewed and sold in many parts of the world, the largest market being the United Kingdom, with Nigeria a close second. The company forsees Nigeria overtaking the UK as the largest global market by the year 2014.
Guinness are also renowned for some of the best global advertising campaigns with many memorable slogans such as "My Goodness, my Guinness!" and "Nothing added but time".
The 'Blonde in the Black Dress' as a pint of Guinness is also known as, is an acquired taste and most probably tried at least once by every Irish man and woman but loved by many. I'm pretty sure it is also what God invented to prevent the Irish from taking over the world.