September 29, 2012

• Whisky and Spirits

  After Trips to the distant ends of Ireland, Brian and I decided to take a day in Dublin to enjoy the simple pleasures

  

  A Brieft stop in Michans Church, containt an organ on which Handel is said to have composed his Messiah

  

  Oh yeah, and Bog Mummies. See, the limestone caverns that make up the catacombs of this church keep the air nice and dry, all the better to preserve those interred. Of the four coffins you see the one furthest back against the wall is believed to be a crusader based on how he was buried, with his legs crossed like one crucified

  

  The cryptkeeper has exactly the sort of dark macabre humor one would expect from his position, and offered us an opportunity. For years, it has been said that to shake the hand of the crusader will bring good fortune. So moving aside the gate separating the living and the dead, Brian and I passed briefly into another world, and shook hands with an 800 year old corpse, to see how our luck may change

  

  Then it was off to jail! Kilmainham Gaol to be precise, one of the new reform jails meant to rehabilitate prisoners with light and space

  

  Okay, well, um, more light and space than previous

  

  

  A number of political prisoners during Irelands early fight for Independence lived and died here, often over a very short time span

  

  Hidden Mickey!

  

  

  Seems so empty now

  

  Only a few still remain.

  

  But on to somethng happier. Having been to church and prison, it was time to lighten up

  

  A friendly leprechaun pointed the way…

  

  To the Original 900 year lease signed by Arthur Guiness, maker of Irelands National drink!

  

  Hops

  

  Water

  

  And a secret recipe to make the most famous stout beer in the world

  

  Look! It’s the backside of water! beer water!

  

  

  Guiness is one of the few beers where the bubbles go down!

  

  It is best experienced with all your senses

  

  ANd trust me, it tastes worlds better at the source than anywhere else in the world. I would go so far as to say outside of ireland, guiness is barely even drinkable.

  

  We also learned about the lost art of coopering, or barrel making.

  

  

  A giant sculpted glass of stout

  

  Then it was off to the rooftop bar to enjoy the perfect pour

  

  So creamy, the bartender could draw a shamrock in our beer!

  

  Mr P decided as Ireland’s national mascot, he had a right to try the national drink

  

  Apparently he was a little mashed

  

  Poor spud

  

  Nothing a nap wont help

  

  

  Well, church beer and jail, where to next?

  

  Well okay, if you are going to twist my arm

  

  

  Irish whisky is triple distilled, unlike scotch which is double distilled, and american which is only single distilled. They all have their own unique flavors

  

  

  The older the whisky, the more color and flavor it takes on from the barrel, and the more evaporates, making the “angels share”

  

  Another tasting

  

  And my qualifactions

  

  Admittedly, we may have been a little drunk that day. But no harm done. And as drinking makes you garrulous this would be perfect preparation for the following days trip to County Cork!

  • 4:28 pm
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