January 26, 2000

9:58 AM

Contrary to what the record industry thinks, mp3s sell CDs. Today I bought "Irish Drinking Songs" after hearing "Water is Alright in Tay" and "Beer, Beer, Beer" mp3s I downloaded from Napster. Hearing the beer song brought back a distinct memory. I recall hearing it blaring from a jukebox and singing along with 50 strangers at an Irish pub in San Francisco on New Year's Eve, 1998.
posted by mathowie (4 comments total)

LOL Matt :-) Care to give us a rendition of Molly Malone or Dirty Ould Town?!
Hey, if you're ever here to trace your Irish
roots let me know and I'll buy you a Guinness....maybe you can find
out if you're related to our most
famous Haughey ;-)
posted by tomcosgrave at 10:10 AM on January 26, 2000

heh. I get emails all the time asking me if I'm related to Charles Haughey. I'm not, and kind of glad, after hearing what that guy has allegedly done. If I make to Dublin this year, I'll take you up on that free Guinness (why do they taste so much better over there?).
posted by mathowie at 10:17 AM on January 26, 2000

Allegedly? You mean what he *did* do :-)

As for Guinness tasting better here, it can be put down to several different reasons...

1. It does not travel well, and is best consumed a few days after it is brewed.
2. Storage plays a big part in its taste - that ties in with the travelling bit, and also the metal parts such as taps can also play a part in changing the taste.
3. Different recipies in different countries, also slightly different brewing techniques come into it as well.
posted by tomcosgrave at 12:25 PM on January 26, 2000

*loud and boisterous* When Irish eyes are laughing....
posted by tdecius at 1:54 PM on January 26, 2000