Arthur's Day 2011
Arthur's Day, the celebration of the remarkable legacy of Guinness creator Arthur Guinness, will make a welcome return on September 22nd 2011.at 17.59pm people from all over the world will raise a glass of Guinness to celebrate the day Arthur signed the lease of St James Gate. As ever, this year will see an incredible line up of Irish and international music stars raising a glass to Arthur in a series of intimate gigs in select venues and pubs across Ireland on a day of music and celebration. A day in Dublin not to be missed.
History Of Guinness
The most famous black alcoholic drink in the world. But, how did this black stuff become such a staple drink in the world of beer?
Arthur Guinness was born around 1724/1725 in Co Kildare.He was the son of Richard Guinness, land steward to the Archbishop of Cashel.
In 1752 Arthur’s godfather passed away and left him £100 in his will, In 1755 Arthur used the money to invest into a brewery in Leixlip, Co Kildare.
In 1759 Arthur left his younger brother looking after this brewery while he travelled to Dublin to set up his own business. Arthur took over a premises at St James’s gate and at the age of 34 signed a 9 thousand year lease with a yearly rent of £45. Ten years later on 19 May 1769 Guinness exported his ale for the first time, when six and a half barrels were shipped to England. The business expanded by exporting to the English market, and adopting steam power. The company merged with Grand Metropolitan in 1997 to form Diageo plc. Although not officially fully taking over, the Guinness family still owns 51% of the brewery. The Guinness brewery in Park Royal, London closed in 2005. The production of all Guinness sold in the UK and Ireland was switched to St. James's Gate Brewery Dublin.
Arthur Guiness died in January 1803 aged 78. Arthur is buried in his mothers family plot at Oughter Ard in Co Kildare.
Guinness Recipe
The specific recipe of this world famous product is a closely guarded secret. It is made from a combination of water, barley, malt, hops and brewer's yeast. Despite the myths, the water doesn't come from the River Liffey. It is from Lady's Well in the Wicklow Mountains
A portion of the barley is flaked and roasted to get its dark ruby color and malty, caramel taste. It is then pasteurized and filtered. A unusual mix of nitrogen and carbon dioxide creates the liquid swirl that tumbles, surges and gradually separates into a black body and smooth creamy head. This rise and fall of bubbles is at the heart of the secret formula and a large part of the Guinness allure.
Guinness Storehouse
Guinness Storehouse, the "Home of Guinness", is Dublin's most popular tourist attraction. A converted brewing factory, it is now a Guinness museum, incorporating elements from the old brewing factory to explain the history of its production. Some of the old brewing equipment is on show, as well as stout ingredients, brewing techniques, advertising methods and storage devices.
The exhibition takes place over 7 floors, in the shape of a 14 million pint glass of Guinness. The final floor is the Gravity Bar, which has an almost 360° panorama over the city, where visitors can claim a free pint of "the black stuff".
The storehouse is where they used to add the yeast to the beer for fermentation.
Guinness Storehouse visitors do not get to see the beer being brewed in front of them. But from various vantage points in the building you may see parts of the brewhouse, vats, grain silos and the keg yard.
