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Where to find the best Guinness in London – and how to spot a bad one
Where to find the best Guinness in London – and how to spot a bad one
Finding a decent pint of Guinness in London can all too often be a disappointing quest, from sour or bitter to poorly poured pints in plastic cups with bubbly heads. Some even say London is where Guinness goes to die. For those who feel they should at least enjoy drinking the pint they’ve paid ludicrous prices for, here’s a small, non-exhaustive and open-ended list of London pubs where you’re more or less guaranteed a scrumptious pint of what my friends and I call Guinny Jones. I’d like to add a disclaimer that I’m not an expert – though I am a quarter Irish and have taken the Guinness factory tour in Dublin – I just really, really like a good pint. So, I spoke to Ian Ryan, who runs an Instagram account dedicated to the capital’s crimes against the black stuff (@shitlondonguinness) and though he isn’t exactly short on blasphemous submissions, he’s also got a lot of insight into what makes a good pint and where to find it. Plus, Ian has a book coming out in October, A Beautiful Pint: One man’s search for the perfect pint of Guinness - he cares about the cause. Before we get to the pubs, here’s what we’re looking for in a pint. Texture: it should have a texture that withstands the “tilt test”, if you tip your glass slightly to the side and the head starts dripping down the side, it’s too watery. It should rise just above the edge of the glass in an oh-so-satisfying manner. Taste: Guinness has a malty sweetness and bitter hoppines, but it shouldn’t be too bitter, nor should it be sour. It should be rich and creamy, with slight aromas of coffee. If it tastes metallic, run for the hills. Head: a good pint of Guinness needs that signature creamy head. Ideally, it’ll be domed and around three-quarters of an inch. This is essential for balance and flavour. Also, if the head is littered with bubbles, it means it hasn’t been properly aerated and will almost definitely taste bad. Pour: according to Guinness Storehouse it should, of course, be in a Guinness or milk stout glass – it’s just wrong drinking out of a Stella or Beavertown. It should then be poured at a 45-degree angle up to the harp and then left to settle for at least a minute, but up to two if possible. It’s finished by topping up with the glass held straight. Red flags: according to Ryan, any sort of bubbles in the head are a big no-no. “Also, if you walk into a pub and no one is drinking Guinness, it could be a sign of bad things to come…” The Auld Shillelagh, 105 Stoke Newington Church Street, London, N16 0UD This Irish pub is most die-hard Guinness fan’s favourite London establishment, Ryan included. It looks tiny and unassuming from the outside but its narrow interior stretches far back into a surprisingly spacious garden. They have live music, great craic and, of course, perfect pints of Guinness. The best thing about the Shillay is that it doesn’t try too hard, which means it ends up absolutely nailing the pub formula. The Irish Times even named it the “most authentic Irish pub in the world outside Ireland”. If that doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will. The Globe, 20 Morning Lane, London, E9 6NA A pub where you can enjoy Spoons prices without Spoons guilt, The Globe is a local’s pub through and through, but they’re also incredibly welcoming to newcomers. They’ve got live sports, pool, darts, karaoke, live music and pints of Guinness that pass the test at around the £4 mark, for zone 2, that’s practically unheard of. The Coach and Horses, 42 Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7BD Not far from Covent Garden piazza, The Coach and Horses is just far enough off the beaten track to not be inundated as most pubs in central are. This one-room Irish pub was once voted as the best Guinness in Britain by The Irish Post, plus they also sell hot roast beef sandwiches. Gibney’s London, 70 City Road, London, EC1Y 2BJ Staying open until 2am on a Friday, Gibney’s is an Irish pub based in the heart of Shoreditch. Upstairs they have “inventive small plates, Irish meats cooked over the open flame, fresh seafood and more from chef Richard Corrigan”, while downstairs they have Shit London Guinness-approved pints. The Cock Tavern, 23 Phoenix Road, London, NW1 1HB An unpretentious pub that prides itself on not being trendy, The Cock Tavern is a delight for both locals and tourists due to its proximity to Euston. Described by one reviewer as an “oasis of humour, personality and character” in the big city and endorsed by SLG, this rough-and-ready establishment knows how to pour a pint and provide good times. The Sheephaven Bay, 2 Mornington Street, London, NW1 7QD An “Irish bar with a conservatory, beer garden and no less than seven plasma screens for showing sports”, The Sheephaven Bay is easily the best Guinness in Camden. Lively atmosphere and friendly staff, what’s not to like? The Kenton Pub, 38 Kenton Road, London, E9 5BA Most of the pubs listed have unsurprisingly been of the Irish variety, so to throw a curve ball into the mix is the Kenton, a Norwegian pub in Hackney. There’s loads of cosy nooks and crannies, occasional DJs on a Saturday and the fantastic staff all pride themselves on pouring a proper pint. I asked general manager Morgan Ryan about what the secret to serving great Guinness is: “There’s not really a trick to it if you’ve ever poured a pint. Don’t buy old kegs, don’t store them badly and don’t have dirty ass lines.” Read More Marina O’Loughlin is wrong – there’s joy in solo dining Budget Bites: Three recipes to keep food bills down before pay day Meal plan: Romesco chicken and other recipes to fall in love with The chef who hated food as a child Who knew a simple flan could be so well-travelled? Midweek comfort food: Singaporean curry sauce and rice
2023-08-11 19:17
Cierto Tequila Awarded Five Double Gold Medals at the 2023 Singapore World Spirits Competition
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2023-07-07 05:50
F1 Austrian Grand Prix LIVE: Race latest updates and times as Lewis Hamilton starts fifth
F1 Austrian Grand Prix LIVE: Race latest updates and times as Lewis Hamilton starts fifth
Max Verstappen’s crushing dominance of Formula 1 continued at the Austrian Grand Prix after he put his Red Bull on pole position. The world champion, a winner at six of the first eight races, saw off his rivals at the Red Bull Ring to seal his fourth pole on the spin for today’s 71-lap grand prix. F1 grid: Starting positions for Austrian Grand Prix Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc provided Verstappen with a late scare, but the Monegasque had to settle for second place, crossing the line 0.048 seconds shy of the Dutchman. Carlos Sainz took third in the other scarlet car, while Lando Norris impressed in his revamped McLaren to take fourth spot. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished fifth, 0.428 sec adrift. Sergio Perez’s torrid time continued after all three of his laps in Q2 were deleted for track limits. He lines up a lowly 15th on Sunday. Follow live updates from the Austrian GP with The Independent - the race starts at 2pm (BST). Read More Dutch driver Dilano van ‘t Hoff, 18, dies after tragic accident in junior race at Spa F1 grid: Starting positions for Austrian Grand Prix Max Verstappen claims team-mate Sergio Perez pushed him off track in Austria sprint win
2023-07-02 19:25
Are MrBeast burgers inedible? Here's why YouTuber is suing his ghost kitchen partner
Are MrBeast burgers inedible? Here's why YouTuber is suing his ghost kitchen partner
Fans of the popular YouTube personality have shared reviews, calling the food 'revolting' and 'likely the worst burger they have ever had'
2023-08-01 18:56
Avara Named #1 E-Commerce Business in Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies
Avara Named #1 E-Commerce Business in Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies
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2023-08-16 04:19
Why eastern Europe's grain producers face a perfect storm
Why eastern Europe's grain producers face a perfect storm
By Anna Koper, Gergely Szakacs and Luiza Ilie WARSAW When global grain prices started falling last year after
2023-05-09 13:27
Fanatics Hopes Merchandise Giveaway Will Boost Sports-Betting Effort
Fanatics Hopes Merchandise Giveaway Will Boost Sports-Betting Effort
Fanatics Inc., the online sports-apparel giant, is offering customers up to $150 in merchandise credit if they sign
2023-09-01 05:22
Colorado driver tried to avoid DUI by switching seats with dog, police say
Colorado driver tried to avoid DUI by switching seats with dog, police say
A Colorado officer watched the bizarre episode unfold at a traffic stop, according to police.
2023-05-17 02:24
For the trees: A quest to protect Australia’s forests
For the trees: A quest to protect Australia’s forests
In the sun-drenched land of Australia, where vibrant ecosystems once thrived, a symphony of natural
2023-08-21 12:18
Lewis Hamilton faces second FIA investigation for walking across track in Qatar
Lewis Hamilton faces second FIA investigation for walking across track in Qatar
Lewis Hamilton is facing a second investigation by Formula One’s governing body for walking across the track at last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix. Hamilton, 38, was fined £43,350 – half of which is suspended for the remainder of the season – in the hours after the race in which he crossed the circuit following a first-corner crash with Mercedes team-mate George Russell. But seven days on from the incident in Lusail, and in a largely unprecedented move, the FIA has said Hamilton’s actions are again under review. A spokesperson for the governing body said on Sunday: “The FIA is revisiting the incident in which Lewis Hamilton crossed a live track during the Qatar Grand Prix. “The FIA notes that Lewis was apologetic during the subsequent stewards’ hearing into the incident and acknowledged that the crossing was a serious safety breach. “However, in view of his role model status, the FIA is concerned about the impression his actions may have created on younger drivers.” Following the original investigation, in which Hamilton was also reprimanded, the stewards noted that “crossing a live track can cause extremely dangerous situations and the drivers have to be very cautious about it.” It is thought that under the FIA’s rules, it is unlikely Hamilton will face additional penalties. But it is possible harsher punishments could be handed out in the future for a similar infringement. Hamilton will be back in action at next weekend’s US Grand Prix in Austin. Read More FIA to review Qatar GP as ‘dangerous’ temperatures prompt driver complaints Lewis Hamilton and George Russell vent anger on radio after collision in Qatar Lewis Hamilton crashes out after first-corner collision with George Russell
2023-10-15 18:21
Ukraine complains to WTO about Hungary, Poland and Slovakia banning its farm products
Ukraine complains to WTO about Hungary, Poland and Slovakia banning its farm products
Ukraine is filing a complaint at the World Trade Organization against Hungary, Poland and Slovakia after they banned grain and other food products coming from the war-torn country
2023-09-19 22:17
Finally, We Can Manifest During The New Moon In Taurus
Finally, We Can Manifest During The New Moon In Taurus
Gather round, y’all: This month’s new moon is here. And this isn’t just any new moon — it’s the first new moon in Taurus since 2021 that isn’t an eclipse. On May 19, we’ll finally experience a harmonious new moon in the sign of the bull that’s ripe for manifestation, full of good vibes, and will ultimately bring us a time of peace. Whew!
2023-05-18 01:19