Where to go, what to drink

I have have noticed in the UK they have a large variety of beers in the pubs, and many pubs in the same region or neighborhood have different selections. I was not in the Dingle area of Ireland, but it didn't seem to me that they had the huge selection available in England. My suggestion would be to try different pubs in the area, and sample as many different brands as you can. Stick mainly with your preferences - ales, lagers, stouts, etc, whatever you like best. But I would not miss the others, just go with your tastes. There are some really great brews all over the island, so get out there and look for them. When time and designated drivers permit, try comparisons, for instance, try Guinness, Murphy's and Beamish stouts (you can find all 3 on tap in many pubs). While similar, each has a little bit if a difference if you are willing to sample them and compare. (My favorite is any of the three I happen to have in front of me at the time). I've run around with friends who couldn't take the time or effort to tell the differences.

One red ale I really liked but could only find it in England was Beamish Red. I'm sure it is made by the same Beamish brewery from the Cork area, but I didn't see it in Ireland. It is one fine drink.

Tom

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There are supposedly 52 pubs/bars in Dingle town (for 1,500 people) and many are classics - don't miss Dick Mack's by the church (a bar-cum-cobblers), O'Flaherty's (great for music) opposite the garda (police) station, and Moriarty's by the quay (excellent food). Do drive out to Kruger's at Dunquin, on the end of the Dingle peninsula - last pub before America.

Sadly, while Ireland has some of the finest pubs in the world in terms of atmosphere, the beer selection is almost always rubbish. Guinness gets very boring quite quickly, Beamish and Murphy's, even if you can find them on (don't be fooled by the fact that the fount is on the bar, they probably won't be available) are even duller, and the ale selection is undrinkable - Smithwicks is sickly, anything else, such as Macardles, is too sweet. You'll actually get a better selection of beer in the local supermarket (it was selling Paulaner last time I was in town). There are a few small Irish craft brewers now, but their beers are almost impossible to find. The most popular beer in Ireland today is Bud - that says it all. I love Irish pubs ­ if only they sold a decent selection of beers, they'd be perfect ...

The last time I was in the UK, I was only a few months old. However, I do remember past life flashes about how good guinness was. The famous stout was my favorite when I was inspired to found the Triumph motorcycle factory in my past life of founding. We moved to England shortly after that.

piddie -- inspired by pure geniuss