How to drink Guinness like the Irish
“Drink Guinness” is never going to be the first thing on my to-do list. Let’s be honest, it’s not exactly my idea of a good time. I’ll take a cautious sip, contort my face into every unflattering grimace imaginable—as if I just bit into a sour lemon—while my friends howl with laughter, calling me a “filthy pagan” (cheeky, right?), before I promptly set that pint down like it’s a ticking time bomb. Yep, that’s just how it goes. I hate Guinness.
But hold on—I’m not here to throw shade at the black stuff. It’s not that I detest the taste; I just can’t stomach it like some do. Still, I do respect the ritual, the strict protocol, and honestly, the pure artistry behind pouring a proper pint. Because believe me when I say, Guinness isn’t your average beer you slam back in one go. It’s more like a delicate dance, a slow-burning ceremony that demands patience, skill, and probably a lifetime of practice to master.
Cheers to that!
+
ireland travel tips
Crafting the perfect pint of Guinness
If you’ve ever ordered a Guinness before, you probably noticed it takes a bit longer to arrive than your typical lager. That’s because the perfect pint isn’t just poured—it’s crafted. There are four precise steps every bartender follows to get it just right, and no, I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s an art form.
- Choose the Right Glass
First, it has to be served in an official Guinness tulip-shaped pint glass. Any other glass? Not worthy. This is serious business. - The 45-Degree Angle Pour
The bartender opens the tap and fills the pint at a perfect 45-degree angle, stopping right at the harp logo on the glass. No more, no less. - The Wait
Then comes the hardest part—putting the pint down and walking away. Yes, even if it feels weird to leave a half-full glass sitting there. It needs to settle for exactly 119.53 seconds (or roughly two minutes, but the Guinness folks are very precise). The stout’s nitrogen bubbles rise to the top, creating that iconic creamy head. If you try to touch or mess with it during this time, you’ll quickly learn that the Irish take this seriously—so seriously that shooing off curious fingers is part of the protocol. - The Final Top-Up
Finally, the bartender slowly tops off the pint, pushing the tap gently to create the famous dome-shaped, velvety head that Guinness is known for.
Drinking Guinness the Irish Way—And Why I’ll Never Master It
If pouring is an art, drinking Guinness is a performance. Here’s where years of practice come in handy. To drink it “right,” you don’t just sip away mindlessly—you’ve got to savor it in exactly four giant gulps. Yes, four. Not five, not six, but four big, deliberate swallows.
The trick is all about timing and rhythm:
Gulp one: from the rim to just shy of the logo—no cheating!
Gulp two: tackle the slope where the glass starts playing hard to get.
Gulp three: own the bottom half like a champ.
Gulp four: finish strong—no drop left behind!
Think it’s easy? Think again. I’ve watched seasoned Irish men nail it with the grace of a ballet dancer and the precision of a surgeon. Honestly, it’s impressive—and just a little intimidating.
The Irish take their Guinness seriously, with pride and patience you can’t fake. Me? I’m perfectly happy to stand back, sip cautiously, make my usual grimace, and accept that downing a pint in four giant gulps isn’t happening anytime soon—if ever.
They honor the craft and history behind their beloved black nectar, and I admire that. As for me, I’ll leave the four-gulp challenge to the pros while I enjoy the show… and maybe nurse my pint a little longer.
