I entitled this review ’large bottle off the shelf’ because although Guiness is available and consumed in large quantities across the globe, few paople are aware that it comes in this form. Having originated in Ireland back in a time when patatoes were hard to come by and the English gentry ruled the land with an iron fist, the famous black stout is now one of the worlds most popular drinks. First brewed in St James gate in Dublin the colour came about when poor old charlie hops got a bit of a tanning in the early stages of fermentation. It was an instant hit with the locals and some would wet their throats with it every night of the week. First available in large bottles not too dislike the ones still available it was later introduced in draught form, or out of a pint glass. The bottle however is today alive only in parts of Southern Ireland, Waterford and Cork in particular.
I myself like nothing better than sitting down to a nice warm large bottle after a hard day on the pulpit. I feel it helps relax me and loosens the tongue when I’m mixing with the local common folk. As a priest I am obliged to attend many weddings and funerals, which gives me ample opportunity to partake in downing a nice few bottles of the porter black. I find that the rough taste of the hops followed by a cooling whiskey chaser really brings out the best in the bottled Guinness. That is why you will hear me cry from many of the local hostileries in my parish on the coast of Waterford, ’Throw us out another large bottle dere boy, will yeh?!!’