Guinness customs question?

[Rambis]

How much can I have my friend bring back for me on his next trip? Reality has set in that I am not going to get back for at least a couple of years. I can't wait that long to enjoy a good pint. Can he get through customs by checking a case of it through? I brought a 6 pack of The Biddy early brew with me last time but it was carry on.
Thank you anyone who has experience with this.

[Another Bill C.]

1. But, why?

This one's been sitting here for quite a while without an answer.

The difference between Guinness in the U.S. and the Guinness in Ireland is mainly confined to that on tap (kegs) in each country. It doesn't travel well. The Guinness in cans and bottles is pretty much the same in both countries.

If you want something for your friends, pick up a couple of bottles of Paddy's Irish Whiskey at the duty free shop. I believe you're allowed to bring in two bottles without paying duty.

[Rambis]

2. Paddy's

I have a couple of bottles that I brought back and everyone that goes over brings me one so I am stocked there. There is the issue of pasteurization of the Guinness but I do not know how much that impacts the taste. I would think boiling the beer would kill the taste. I did only have it on draught so I do not know how the bottles would taste if brought back. I am leaning toward them bringing me some black biddy from the biddy early brewery in Inaugh.
People have been making beer for thousands of years you would think we could figure out how to ship it without bruising it by now.

[CountAllVotes]

3. It is all brewed in Dublin, Ireland

and the stuff they are shipping here to the USA is has something in the bottle and it is labeled a "draught" stout (the thing in the bottle rattles and sounds like rock or something is inside. What is it?). It is to keep the head on the Guinness. I've had it a few times.

A good friend from the old country was visiting awhile ago and he said it was "damn close". He's kind of an expert I'd say. So, I think what is being imported has been greatly improved.

Still the same, there is nothing like a good pint of Guinness when in Ireland! I want to go back.

Here is a photo of an old Guinness sign. When it was sold here in the USA in bars years ago, the word "GOOD" had to be covered up. Has anyone else ever heard this story before? I sure had not until quite recently. :wtf:



Cheers all! :toast:

:dem:

[Rambis]

4. It is called a widget

The widget is a plastic, nitrogen-filled sphere-
The purpose of the widget is to release the CO2 from some of the beer in the can to create the head.

More techincal info here
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question446.htm

[CountAllVotes]

5. thanks for the info.

now I won't feel like such an idiot. I was in Donegal and I told the bartender about it and said it was like a rock or something. He just laughed and was selling Miller beer (brewed in Tipperary) to everyone. I said, "Geez, that's like drinking horse piss in the USA." He said, "REALLY?" I said yeah, REALLY. He asked me how much was Guinness in the USA and I told him you could buy a whole thing of it at a place called Costco for about $20.00. He asked me how much is a "whole thing of it anyway - 100 bottles or something?" I just laughed and said no, maybe about 18 large cans of it but the stuff in the bottles is a lot better.

Anyway, now I know! A widget! :D :toast:

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

7. In a very roundabout way, I know who the man is who came up with the

idea for the "widget" for Guiness.

He's from Glasgow and his brother is married to a sister of a friend of Mr. Wonderful's and myself. I've never met him, but Mr. Wonderful has.

BTW Mr. Wonderful and myself will be in Ireland two weeks from tonight. I absolutely cannot wait. Christmas and New Year in Ireland is some craic.

I'm also hoping to get down to Dublin to see Christy Moore. He has gigs scheduled for December 20, 21, 27, 28th and January 02 and 03 at Vicar Street in Dublin. According to his website, they're all sold out, but Mr. Wonderful thinks he might be able to get a couple tickets for at least one of the nights.

Keep your fingers crossed for us. I'd give my "right arm" to see Christy in concert again.

[CountAllVotes]

8. Wow, that sounds great!

I'd sure like to make it back again. I've made two trips - one in 1983 and another one several years ago.

Things are very expensive over there, that is about all I know (esp. Dublin).

I hope you have a great time (with or without "Mr. Wonderful" himself!). :D

[Rambis]

10. Good luck

Christy Moore live would be a religious experience I hope to have. My only brush with fame is a friend of mine got Tommy Makem to do voice overs for a candidate in NH and I got an autographed picture. Anytime he comes to Minneapolis we try and go see him and he always comes over to say hello to my friend. A very gracious man indeed.

[Rambis]

9. Carlsberg

that was the beer that everyone was drinking that wasn't Irish or was female. I tried a half and took one drink and left it. I rue the fact that I didn't have one more sip of Guinness instead of that stuff. On the way back a guy I sat next to said would you like a beer and I declined as I had had a dodgy meat based lasagna dish. He had a bud and said this was a higher alcohol content bud brewed in Ireland and it isn't half bad "it's not the horse piss they brew in America"
I drank all Guiness and 1 Smithwickes (good beer)but I went back to Guinness because I just didn't want to miss a drop.

[Maeve]

6. I prefer to refer to it as

"the beer with balls." :spank:

[Rambis]

11. Maeve enjoy all of these

http://images.google.com/images?
q=tbn:sPsizd24ZrkqNM:


'Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi shonas duit.'

[Maeve]

12. Go raibh maith agat!

That breakfast looks yummy...and hit my nostalgia button...did you know you can order Irish food, including the makings of breakfast?
http://www.foodireland.com/

Nollaig beannaithe agus Athbhlian faoi mhaise duit!
Go raibh dochas, síocháin agus grá agat gach uile lá.

(That's "A blessed Christmas and prosperous New Year to you" and "May hope, peace and love fill you always")

[Rambis]

13. thank you!

I am going to order rashers, sausages, black pudding and curly wurlys right now! Maybe a litre of blackcurrant for the Guinness as well.
thank you again!