They Say Guinness is Good for You

“Beer is cheaper than therapy,” read the emboldening sign tucked behind the bar in the local watering hole in the village of Omeath. When the name Ireland comes up, it’s a safe bet that most people conjure up images of greenery and Guinness beer. As I became acquainted with Omeath’s finest Irishmen, I learned about the health benefits of Guinness; specifically that it’s high in iron content. Brian, one of my newfound pals, reaffirmed this by sharing that when he served in the military, blood donors would receive a small glass of Guinness after contributing. “Thanks to the do-gooders, they’re probably serving tea and biscuits now.” He quipped with a devilish grin.     

Although Guinness is still a solid staple in any Irish pub, there is a decent variety of competing local craft beers. I visited Carlingford Brewery located on the outskirts of the village. It’s located near a whiskey distillery and not much else. I was able to reach the brewery by bus. But without a car, the grounds are dicey to navigate by foot from the street. Nonetheless, it was a worthwhile adventure.

Friary Pale Ale at Carlingford Brewery, a delightful companion to fish and chips

I had a late lunch at the Old Mill restaurant, located in a 13th century building on the Carlingford Brewery premises, where I dined on fish and chips paired with the Friary Pale Ale. Should the reader be interested in viewing this succulent dish, an image is included under Chippers and Bangers. Both were delicious. Afterwards, I meandered to the bar area to order the Session IPA, another pleaser.

Session IPA at Carlingford Brewery reminiscent of East Coast IPAs

Although most of my beer consumption was focused on Guinness (when in Rome…), I made an effort to sample other local craft beers. One of my repeat favorites was Hop House 13 lager, produced at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery. Another brand was Rockshore Irish Lager from St. James’s Gate Brewery. It was refreshing and on the sweeter side of lagers.

Hop House 13 lager at Kilbroney Bar in Rostrevor

Rockshore lager at Irish National Foresters (INF) in Rostrevor

Whiskey aside, spending time sending beer down the hatch is a worthwhile endeavor in Ireland. Whether during the summer or the cooler months, the quality beer varieties will undoubtedly match seasonal cravings. The narrow range of varieties I tried were widely available at different pubs around Ireland. As they say in Irish Gaelic, slàinte – cheers!