Guinness Commercial: Empty Chair

[Irving]

Is Guiness in England/Ireland as good as Dogfish Head Santo Palo Maron? After having the Dogfish Head, Guiness tastes like foamy tofu to me. I WANT to like Guiness, but it needs more flavor over here.

[james_bond_007]

Is Guiness in England/Ireland as good as Dogfish Head Santo Palo Maron? After having the Dogfish Head, Guiness tastes like foamy tofu to me. I WANT to like Guiness, but it needs more flavor over here.

People CLAIM it is WAY better over there.

I noticed in the Republic of Ireland it was marginally better. In my opinion, it was because of how it was served.

Right Temp
2-part pour
Proper time to "settle"
Correct tulip Glass

One typically waited 3-5 mins before it was served.
Bartender would pour it 3/4 full, and set it on the bar, usually queued up behind the previous orders and wait. (ALWAYS...no matter HOW crowded the pub was)
After the "waterfall action" stopped (about 3-5 mins), and the head settled as much as it was going to, it was topped off and served.

Canned Guinness (with the plastic widget in the can) still tasted about the same.

The big three stouts in Ireland were:

Beamish - sweetest
Guinness - balanced b/w sweet and roasted
Murphy's - most bitter (or strongest roasted barley/coffee-like flavor)

Surprisingly, the lager of choice was Rolling Rock...followed by Budwiser.
Budwiser has taken over the volume of production in a lot of former Guinness breweries. They are still (or were a few years ago) owned by Guinness, but Bud (or AB InBev) contracts them to use their capacity to brew Bud products.

I don't even think Harp is brewed in Ireland anymore. Last bottle I had said "New Brunswick, CA", but I had that here; previously the ones I had here were listed as St. James Gate, Dublin.