Boys to the black stuff

It seems that in the last decade or so, St. Patrick's Day has been taking over March … all over the world. It has become one of the most enjoyed and most inclusive international party days ever. You don't need to be Irish to get in on the fun, you only need a desire to hang with friends and party, party, party.
This year for the real Green Day, KS takes you behind the scenes at the Dublin landmark that is for many the face of Ireland, the Guinness brewery. We also give a round up of some of Kansai's Irish venues where you can get your own fill of the black stuff on March 17.

"Work is the curse of the drinking class," noted Oscar Wilde. "The problem with some people is that when they aren't drunk, they're sober," observed William Butler Yeats. "A good puzzle would be to cross Dublin without passing a pub," wrote James Joyce. "Hooray!" exclaimed Arthur Guinness.
With Guinness now being brewed in around 52 countries and sold in over 150 worldwide at a rate of 10 million glasses per day (that's 1,883,200,000 pints every year), and with St. Patrick's Day becoming a world holiday every March 17th, Arthur must be a very happy angel.
Founded in 1756 on the banks of the River Liffey, St James' Gate in Dublin soon became famous brewing grounds for "the black stuff" with its key ingredients of barley, yeast, hops and water. Draught Guinness is ideally poured slowly and served cool, requiring a patient patron. It is a drink to be savoured, not rushed.
Arthur Guinness, quickly realising the potential value of his creation, signed a 9,000-year lease on this brewery ensuring his family's control — a smart man! Today, the brewery is the most popular tourist attraction in Dublin and offers an audio-visual, self-guided inside view of the history, commercialisation and production of Guinness. Well worth a visit, not only for all the information, merchandise and photo-opportunities there, but also for the free pint of Guinness which is yours for the taking at the final bar stop (which also boasts an impressive night view of the city if your timing is right).
The future of nihon-shu may not be threatened, but with over 60 Irish pubs and somewhere near 120 other pubs/bars serving Guinness in Japan, there is a little less "kampai" and a little more "slainte"... cheers!

Murphy’s SHINSAIBASHI

6F, Lead Bldg. 1-6-31 Higashi Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka.
Tel: 06-6282-0677

The Blarney Stone UMEDA

6F Sonezaki Centre Bldg, 2-10-15 Sonezaki, Kita-ku, Osaka.
Tel: 06-6364-2001

Ryan’s PUB SANNOMIYA

7F, Kondo Bldg. 4-3-2 Kano-cho Chuo-ku Kobe.
Tel: 078-391-6902

The Hill of Tara KYOTO

Kawarmachi-higashiru, Oike-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto.
Tel: 075-213-3330

Tadg's irish pub KYOTO

2F, Nijuichiken-cho 236, Yamatooji, Kawabata Shijo, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. Tel: 075-525-0680

Text: Nicky Siddall