A recent trip to Dublin in aid of finding new ales and pubs for Alefinder saw me spend two days searching for Ale and failing miserably.

Seems that if you go to Dublin you have two choices – Guinness or go somewhere else.. They did also have Smithwicks but that really isn’t a choice – it is more of a punishment.

I reckon I checked out over a dozen pubs – all claiming to be purveyors of fine ale – and lo and behold they had Guinness and lager.

Now I am not a fan of lager – it really is a last resort – maybe with a curry when you are half cut anyway. Guinness I can drink by the bucket.. I actually really like it – but when you have had a nice ale – like Landlord or Abbott, you really can see the difference straight away.. it is like comparing a McDonalds to a Steak (sorry of you like McDonalds !)

I took a look at the Guinness factory while I was there and even poured by own pint – it did taste mighty fine – but Guinness is Guinness – wherever you drink it.. so forget the whole “Guinness tastes better in Ireland” because it doesn’t – and it costs more because it is in Euros and they are crafty like that !!

So the ale research wasn’t a total loss.. I still had some nice food and drink and came back with some nice rugby tops… but no Ale !! I shall keep looking.