Not all beer is served warm in jolly old England - here’s proof

One thing I had to do while visiting London was sample the Guinness and after almost a week and a half there, I still hadn’t tasty the creamy goodness that is Guinness. I made this clear to my brother-in-law, and he responded that perhaps I would get a chance to sample the Guinness on the next visit to London. Oh ye of little faith.

Well on me last night, I made it out to O’Neil’s Pub (O’Neil’s pub, 326 Earl’s Court Rd, Kensington, SW5 9BQ. Nearest tube: Earls Court (come out and turn right)) which was just a few blocks from where I was staying. I had visited another pub called Blackbird just down the street but opted for a bottle of 1845 at the time. Silly me!

We approached O’Neil’s with the slightest doubt that perhaps Guinness was not on the menu. As we got closer, my fears were allayed as on the pub’s window in big bold letters was spelled out “GUINNESS”.

Let me just dispel a little myth about English beer. It’s not all served warmed. Check out the pic above - it says Extra Cold.


And what better way to enjoy a Guinness than with a little football, European style - here’s Spain vs. Italy on the telly

We ordered our elixirs and waited about 5 minutes for each proper pouring of the Guinness. Now you may be wondering (if you’ve read this far), why I’m making such a big to do about a beer. Well, after we toasted, the glass was raised to my mouth and soon I would know whether Guinness in England tasted better than here in the states - only a few seconds more to go.

The Guinness hit the mouth and rolled over my tongue. Oh yeah, baby, it was damned fine! YEAH! Damn fine! Smooth as silk, melted in your mouth, and left you on your knees begging for more. Man, I could’ve downed a half dozen of those without batting an eye. You just don’t get it like that here in the states. Least ways, not here in oHIo.

Leaving London became much more difficult after that glass was emptied. Alas, I don’t think I can bring myself to order a Guinness here.

Eternal gratitude to Mr. Ravi for providing me with a no charge Guinness. I have to kick myself now knowing that such manna was only a few blocks away. What did Jani Lane say:

“Heaven isn’t too far away,
Closer to it every day.
No matter what your friends might say…”

And there is your glam metal quote for June 2008.

Responses:

Yummy. In Ireland, the brewery sends it directly to each pub….there are no distributors in the middle. I wonder how they get it to London. My favorite thing about the beers in England and Ireland is the hand-pulled tap. No gas is injected into the beer, so you can drink a crapload without fear of headache :-) The Extra Cold was introduced to appease crabby American tourists. My time in London was spent sampling as many different beers as I could get down my gullet (two faves: Tetley’s - before you could get it here! and Ruddles Country Ale - never seen it here), and I found the temperatures just perfect. I think FineRepast.com should sponsor a research trip to Ireland so that you can compare…

Andy Andy?
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Getting away from processed/preserved foods can certainly alter one’s perspective on quality. While I haven’t had a “fresh” Guinness, I have had the benefit of consuming German beer according to it’s purity laws. Oh what pity to those who think life ends with Coors Light.

I’m with Eric, though they better get working on the roadway.

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Unfortunately, they have to put preservatives in the beer to ship it over here. This is especially the case since Guinness isn’t consumed as quickly in the States as it is in London. The stuff you were drinking was likely made two days before and simply shipped across the Irish Sea from St. James Gate. No time to go bad equals no preservatives, equals an unforgettable beer drinking experience.

Once my kids get a bit bigger, I say we all road trip to London.

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