Derived from the Irish
uisce
("water") and normally written with an "e", Irish whiskey was first
distilled by monks about a thousand years ago. Popular both in neat and
mixed forms. Several well-known brands are available, the most popular
being Old Bushmills, Tullamore Dew, Power's, Paddy's and Jameson's.
Whiskeys are available in blended form or as single grain and single
malt pure produce. Tourists should take note that high taxes make Irish
whiskey more expensive in Ireland than in a lot of other countries - the
export of a common variety is often not worth the bother.
In 1759 Arthur Guinness leased the
St. James Gate Brewery
and soon after began brewing the popular London "porter". He and his
family have never looked back hence, the porter or "stout" is synonymous
with the family name now. No longer given away free to new mothers as a
lukewarm restorative in Dublin hospitals but available on tap
everywhere, Guinness is the quintessential Irish beer. And an acquired
taste.
3. Other Beers
The Irish love their beers -
every pub will serve a wide variety on draft or in bottles. Popular
Irish beers are Murphy's Stout, Kilkenny and Smithwick's. English and
Scottish "lagers" are preferred by the less discerning drinker in a
hurry. Popular overseas brands include the Australian Foster's, the
ubiquitous Bud Light, Mexican Sol and a variety of Dutch and German
lagers. And any off-license (liquor store) will provide East European,
Indian, Chinese and Japanese brands.
4. Cider
Brewed
from apples this alcoholic drink has become very popular in recent
years and is drunk by the pint like beers. Its often higher alcohol
content makes it also more "effective" than most beers, while being
served ice-cold as a refreshing drink. Drinkers beware! The most popular
Irish cider is Bulmer's, named (for trademark reasons) Magner's in
Northern Ireland.
Apart
from the well-known "Bailey's Irish Cream", several similar liquors are
available and targeted mostly at the female market. While the
ingredients are basically the same, their proportions vary and so does
the taste of these liquors. Normally drunk moderately cool, they are
also available on ice or as a shot in black coffee.
