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The Guinness Book Of Records was started by a manager at St James Gate that wanted to settle an argument about which bird flew the fastest. Today, it contains all sorts of interesting facts about things we would normally not think about.
The Peregrine Falcon
Did you know that the world's largest pizza was 140 feet across? Mama, Mia!
I just hope the winner of the argument at least won a case of Guinness or a slice of pizza.
The Guinness Brewery at St James Gate in Dublin is such a huge part Ireland's history that is not only popular with regular tourists but with visiting dignitaries and famous people as well.
I wonder, if you got the chance to have a drink with anyone of them would you?
Or what famous or infamous person would you like to share your Guinness with even if it is a stretch or you have to tell a fish story to say that you did so.
I could spend many hours at the Guinness Brewery and still feel like I have not spent enough time. As I ride the elevator to the top floor bar, I am thinking what a nice way to finish my tour, overlooking Dublin.
Pints and pints of Guinness are being poured as we all take in the atmosphere and beautiful views of the city.
I follow step one, listen then watch as the creamy head forms, step two. A touch of the glass and the temperature seems just right, (we'll skip step four, no swirling for you) then it's what I know you have being waiting for, the taste.
Now open wide! Wow, wasn't that refreshing? And it's good for you, Guinness.
As I continue my tour of the Guinness Brewery at St James Gate in Dublin, I have flashback fond memories of Guinness, Cadbury, Oval-tine, McVities Coconut Cream Biscuits (Cookies) and many other British made products that were a part of my childhood.
The First step is to listen for the gases as your drink is being poured. Second, you look for the ionic Guinness surge which comes from the separation of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases.
Third, is touch for temperature of the glass. Guinness is stored at 9C and served at 6C. If theses temperatures are not respected you can lose as much as 50% of the drink's flavor.
Fourth, is smell which requires a swirling of the glass. Unfortunately, I am not a good swirler and require a little assistance. On the other hand, I have no problem smelling the roasted barley that is a part of what gives Guinness it's distinctive taste.
The Fifth step which for most of us comes before the others is taste. However, this is not as simple as chugging a gulp or two. No, this requires “Retro-Nasal Breathing” and “Swirling”.
With a mouthful of Guinness, you breathe in, swirl it around in your mouth (I'm much better at this since no wrist action is involved) and as you swallow it, breathe out through your nose. If done properly you can taste the hops and barely at different parts of your mouth.
I am not sure that I have this step down and I am not ashamed to take more lessons if necessary. At the end of the tour I will get to opportunity to practice what I have learned and maybe I'll give you the chance to do so as well.
Guinness is not brown in color but dark ruby red.
At one time the entrance to the old walled city, St James Gate since 1759 has been the home of the Guinness brewery.
On a tour of the brewery, I learn about the four ingredients plus one that are combined in a secret formula to make Guinness famous. Imported Barley and Hops, Water from the surrounding Wicklow Mountains and A National Treasure, Sir Arthur's Yeast which is stored in a vault here, give us the Irish stout that is enjoyed around the world.
It is said that without Sir Arthur, The First Brew Master, there would be no Guinness. He will always be held in high regard for his fine brewing craftsmanship.
Like drinking a pint or two of Guinness, you don't have to be in a hurry to visit St. James Gates as the brewery is going to be here for at least another 8,000 years or so.
It's color is not brown but …....
This happens to be “The Red Bus”. For E$17 I purchase not only a tour ticket but also a single fare ticket for a ride to the airport.
The bus tour covers a lot of interesting sites from Kilmainham Jail where the famous Irish nationalist Robert Emmet was hanged and beheaded in 1803 to Phoenix Park where the Irish President resides.
For me, the most important stop on the tour is Stop 14 where a man at one time lived with his wife and twenty one children in the mid eighteen century. Once the entrance to the old walled city, St James Gate since 1759 has been the home of the Guinness Brewery and will be so for less say the next 8,747 years.
After traveling from Belfast by bus, I arrive in Dublin with just enough time for a short night walk and exploration of the city. Across the street from the Dublin Airport Hilton where I am staying, I board another bus for about a thirty minute ride into the City Centre.
An occasional light rain is falling light which adds a bit of character to the chilled evening air and somewhere down the street loud vocals and strumming guitars can be heard over the distant city noise of passing buses and cars.
Even the Bank Of Ireland is beautifully lit up and decorated in the holiday spirit.
Down O'Connell Street a huge multi lighted Christmas tree is the center piece of the holiday decor although some of the side street decorations are just as amazing.
Instead of about a E$3 fare for a bus, it is now going to be about E$15 to get back to my bed.
As luck would have it, I end up with cab driver that helps me lay out my plans for tomorrow and gives me another education on Irish Whiskey.
If you visit his house and he offers you whiskey take it on the rocks. If you want it mixed with something like soda then he is not going to give you his best stuff. They say the only thing you should put into whiskey if you want to kind of reduce it's power is water.
Although I am a Jose Cuervo kind of a guy, I'll drink to that!
It's about midnight and I think my first night in Ireland is about to come to a close as I am nursing my last pint of Guinness at The Glory Hole Bar. As the crowd has now thinned out, I get an opportunity to interact with some of the employees and get a good lesson about Irish Whiskeys.
Although there are no customers to be served, I also get the chance to be a pretend bartender which for me is an honor. With a bar now filled with empty glasses, I am just lucky I am not asked to be a pretend bus boy as well.
Surprisingly, The Glory Hole Bar closes at midnight but I am quick to be told that the nightlife in Belfast is still alive and kicking. A short taxi ride and I am back near City Hall headed down an almost dark alley echoing a muted spanking sound.
With a DJ pumping out a continuous high energy sound, my first night in Ireland does not end until the early morning.
Although a stiff wind is blowing, I am impressed and at the same time jealous of a few golfers that are up early and playing at a beautiful course along the coast. The wind adds to the chill in the air but for now also makes the skies clear and the crashing waves spectacular.
The wind and weather has been brutal to them over the years but even in their decayed state it is easy to imagine their once glorious days.
Old Bushmills, the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery is also along this route and offers guided tours for an admission charge.
However, unfortunate for my taste buds but fortunate for my liver they are closed on New Year's Day. Even using my best charm I am not able to squeeze even a drop of it from the ground staff that is on duty.
Oh laddies, what a shame!
Unfortunately, an off shore winter storm makes my visit here short. The howling wind now makes the moist air bitter cold along with the falling snow and sleet.
Green rolling hills sprinkled with snow along with grazing farm lands contrast nicely with the jagged coastline and wide white surf waves crashing against it.
The views below are nerve racking as the rope bridge gently sways back and forth.
Looking out to sea, the Scottish coast can be seen in the distance. Leaving the bridge and taking a scenic detour back gives even more sensational views of the area.
Driving The Causeway Coastal Route requires more time than I have given it as I must now make my way back to Belfast to catch a bus to Dublin. Although, I am told even the summers are still rather cool here, this is a trip that I am sure is even more amazing during that time of the year.
I leave The Causeway Coastal Route at Carrickfergus where at a harbor the boats are so small and cute, I am looking for the controls to maneuver them around like I did when I was a kid.
Mom, mom, can I please have a quarter?
