Thanks for that Ians
Nice to know the message is finally getting through
Even in Ireland, the quality of a pint was variable until the Brewery took the matter in hand, educated many of the publicans and carried out regular maintenance checks.
I worked in London pubs for seven years as a maintenance and repair electrician and became a keen observer of the Capital's drinking habits
I re-wired the Kings Head in Fulham and watched an elderly Irishman cone in for his pint every afternoon - the publican was also an elderly Irishman who invariably served at the bar
One afternoon he came in while the publican was busy down the bar and the customer was greeted by a young barmaid who asked him what he wanted.
He replied, "I'll have a pint of Guinness (pointing to the publican) and I'll have him serving me"
The speed of the pouring and the temperature seem to be the secret – an art form.
Even the Guinness Brewery in Park Royal, North London, could only manage a passable pint –
The best one ever in London was served at ' The Sense of Ireland' a music and culture festival where they imported it direct.
Best pint in Dublin was at The Guinness Hop Store adjacent to the Brewery where we shared a pint with Ireland's President, Mary Robinson at the opening of the Irish Traditional Music Archive (well - she was there anyway)
Jim Carroll