Guinness has long been synonymous with drinking in Ireland, where sales of the dark and creamy beer have always been strong and the drink is a favorite during celebrations, like the upcoming St. Patrick's Day. This year, however, drinkers might not be looking for a few pints to celebrate. They are more likely to be looking for wine.
Sales of wine, spirits, cider and imported beers are all on the rise in Ireland, while sales of Guinness are declining. The popularity of wine in particular is growing by leaps and bounds, according to statistics from vendors and reports from bars and pubs. Wine now accounts for over 20% of all of the alcohol consumed in Ireland.
Despite its decline in Ireland, where sales have dropped over 7% in the last year, sales are thriving in North American and Africa, where "Guinness has a reputation, perhaps undeserved, for everything from helping prevent malaria to enhancing male sexual prowess." If only the company could get that rumor to spread to their other markets...
3-15-2007 @1:46PM alice radley said... I'm really dreading St. Paddys this year. It falls on a Saturday ... I'm staying lock indoors that day. There are going to be drunk loons everywhere!!
http://www.kilgoreskitchen.blogspot.com
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3-15-2007 @9:00PM bean said... Good, and good riddance. I've never been a fan of Irish stout anyway. Give me a good English stout (something by, say, Samuel Smith), or a Founders Imperial or Kentucky Breakfast stout any day.
That being said, I've discovered the best way to drink Guinness is by way of a black-and-tan. For some reason, combining the swill that is Guinness with the (often) swill that is whatever Pilsner happens to be on tap results in something half-way to drinkable.
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3-15-2007 @11:08PM Angela Pitt said... Sorry, gotta have my Guinness; got one in the fridge
chilling right now.
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3-16-2007 @9:24AM WG said... I'm with bean. Guinness can't go out of business fast enough. That's what they get for putting Beamish out of business in the States. Would love to get some decent English stouts or even a good bitter.
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3-16-2007 @12:46PM crk69 said... I love Guinness but have to add that Sam Smith's are my favorite beers.
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3-16-2007 @2:16PM MJ said... One of my favorite beers just wish it wasnt so costly
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