Irish Thought for February 17...

Irish Drink

Guinness

One of the most successful beer brands worldwide, Guinness is extremely popular with the Irish both in Ireland and wherever they have settled.  It's something of a national symbol, and the best-selling alcoholic drink in Ireland, with sales of nearly $.2.5 billion annually.  A dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness in Dublin, the beer has a distinctive burnt flavor, which comes from the use of roasted barley that hasn't been malted (and not from the addition of meat, as is sometimes rumored).  Although the Guinness breweries won't confirm if they still follow this practice, the used to blend their freshly brewed beer with a portion of aged brew, to add sharpness to the flavor.