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Conference tallis::celt

Title:	Celt Notefile

Moderator:	TALLIS::DARCY

Created:	Wed Feb 19 1986
Last Modified:	Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1632
Total number of notes:	20523

949.0. "Why is Guinness Black ??" by ACTGSF::BURNS (F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN) Tue Sep 10 1991 11:28


	In this weeks Irish Echo, there is an article entitled 
	Why Do the Irish...?

	
	A woman named Fiana Griffin has written a book which attempts to
	answer questions that are frequently asked about the Irish ..
	It is a paperback book called "Why Do the Irish ...? and it is
	published by The Linguaviva Center, 45 Lower Leeson St., Dublin 2
	The cost of the book is �2.95

	Her answers are unsentimental and perceptive, and each one manages
	in a few paragraphs to combine the relative facts with some pertinent
	observations on Irish society today.

	Some of the questions are:

	Why do the Irish drink so much ??
	Why do the Irish tell so many tall stories ??
	Why are the Irish always fighting ??
	Why is the Catholic Church so powerful ??
	Why do the Irish eat so many potatoes ??
	Why do the Irish pay such high income tax ??
	Why are the Irish so friendly ??
	Why do the Irish (fill in your own inane question) ??

	It list about 30 of the most common questions about Ireland.


	Here is an example of one of the answers ....

	Q. Why do the Irish drink so much ??
	

	A. The Irish drink much less per head than many other peoples.
	   They came in 26th out of 31 countries surveyed. It is true 
	   that one might see drunks on the street at night, especially
	   on Saturday, but this comes from their drinking patterns.

	   The Irish do most of their drinking in public, in the pub, 
	   unaccompanied by food. The pub is the center of Irish social
	   life, which is why there are so many -- 10,000, one for every
	   350 inhabitants. They go to the pub for friendship and romance,
	   politics and business, to watch sport, or to enjoy live music.
           The pub is a direct development of the traditional country custom
	   of socializing in a particular home in the neighborhood to talk,
	   tell stories, make music, and have a drink.

	   In the private home, drink is limited. the only limit in a pub
	   is what you want, or can't afford. Drinking is so closely linked
	   with talk and friendliness that the Irish are too tolerant of
	   excessive drinking. Many people will have one night out a week
	   which will consist of spending several hours just drinking with
           friends in a pub. Perhaps they won't have anymore alcohol for a
           week, but will leave the pub noticeably unsteady. 

	   Because so many adult social activities take place in a pub to the
	   accompaniment of drink, it has been called a "drink culture".
	   Many teenagers see going to the pub, preferably while still under
           the age limit, and getting drunk, as their initiation into the
	   adult world.

	   Not surprisingly, there is a high number of alcoholics, but there 
           is also a high number of teetotalers -- people who never drink
           alcohol, for personal and religious reasons.

	   As you can see it's a sound, sensible answer.

	   Another question and answer from the book.

	   Q. Why do the Irish pay such high Income Tax ??

	   A. Many Irish people pay up to half their income in tax, yet the
              total amount of tax collected in Ireland is below the EC average.
              The question is, who pays ??

              The Irish People who pay extremely high taxes are the PAYE 
              (Pay-As-You-Earn) workers, salaried employees. They constitute
	      80 percent of the workforce and provide 87 percent of the tax
              collected in Ireland. The tax net, as it is called, is very 
              narrow, and all the "big fish" jump out of it. There is hardly
              any tax on wealth, property, or the banks.

              It is well known and quite acceptable in their own circles,
              that most self employed people -- farmers, professionals and
              others , pay only a fraction of the tax they owe. Until recently
              the government has done little to investigate their accounts.

              Manufacturing industries, native and foreign, pay very little
              tax -- maximum 10 percent, yet they cost the tax payer a total
              of �1.5 billion a year. They receive �400 million in aid directly
              and indirectly from various government agencies, and get a tax
              relief of over �1 billion.

              Taxes are also high because 37.7 percent of the population are
              dependent on social welfare. Eighteen percent of the workforce
              are unemployed, 50 percent of the population are under 28 and
              one-third of the population are in full time education, a great
              deal of which (though not all) is government funded. Perhaps
              Ireland most valuable export is its well-and-expensively-educated
              youth, so many of whom leave to be an asset in other countries.

              One question not answered in the book is "Why is Guinness Black"?

 	      This is a favorite question of tourist, can you answer it ????







	keVin


             




	



	keVin

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
949.1		WMOIS::CHAPLAIN_F	Tempus Omnia Vicit	`Tue Sep 10 1991 12:40`	8
	My understanding is that it's the molasses that gives the stout such a color and texture. Whatever it is, leave it alone. 8) Frank
949.2	Guinness A work of Art	DBOSW2::BRENNAN_M	Guinness - A work of Arth	`Tue Sep 10 1991 13:49`	6
	Re .-1 Wrong. It is because the brewmaster was drunk on night and burnt some of the malt. He liked the taste so much he continued doing it (getting drunk that is) MBr
949.3	In the USA even a Bad Pint is a Good Pint. :-)	ACTGSF::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Tue Sep 10 1991 15:16`	10
	re: .1 Frank: There are no molasses in Guinness. keVin
949.4	8)'	WMOIS::CHAPLAIN_F	Tempus Omnia Vicit	`Tue Sep 10 1991 15:27`	5
	Oh, so just shatter my myths without a second thought. Fine. I'll switch to Harp.
949.5	IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!	TALLIS::DARCY		`Tue Sep 10 1991 15:39`	3
	It's my understanding keVin, that the dark color and consistency in Guinness (and other stouts) is causd by roasted-burnt barley. Now how's that boy?
949.6		DELNI::CULBERT	Free Michael Culbert	`Tue Sep 10 1991 15:39`	9
	By being black it is able to hold more vitamins and proteins. Thus making it a VERY healthy means of nourishment. Why I've heard that one pint of guinness is equal to a full course meal including dessert. paddy
949.7	"Black is beautiful"	HILL16::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Tue Sep 10 1991 16:05`	17
	1 Six-Pack of Guinness & a Spud = An Irish 7 course meal Another question ... How many calories in a pint of Guinness ?? keVin
949.8	A labor of Love ......	HILL16::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Tue Sep 10 1991 16:18`	30
	From the same article in this weeks "Irish Voice" concerning Why the Irish ...? "You can't rush a good pint. The brown liquid swirls with a million microscopic bubbles and slowly subsides into darkness until finally you are left with the perfect pint of stout, a glass of total blackness with a pale creamy top." Then I led her towards the open bedroom door, Her body is soft with curves. Her waist is small, accenting the roundness of her hips, ( Opsssssssssss Sorry, I got carried away there for a moment) keVin
949.9		DELNI::CULBERT	Free Michael Culbert	`Tue Sep 10 1991 16:21`	9
	keVin DON'T STOP DON'T STOP
949.10	CREAMY WHITE FOAM	TALLIS::DARCY		`Tue Sep 10 1991 16:23`	5
	Oh boy, get down off the ceiling keVin. C'mon now. Calories, my guess would be about 250. How far off am I? Right now, drink up lads.
949.11	well?	TOLKIN::OROURKE		`Tue Sep 10 1991 19:22`	9
	RE: .8 KeVin, Am I to assume you had a nice anniversary celebration WITH your wife??? /j
949.12	She used that word at least 100 times .... :-)	ACTGSF::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Wed Sep 11 1991 10:41`	13
	re: .11 Yes Jen, you can ASSUME that my wife and I have a very nice anniversary celebration .. She thought the buffet at the Ponderosa Steak House was shall we say ..... "Unbelievable" !!! :-) keVin
949.13		WMOIS::CHAPLAIN_F	Tempus Omnia Vicit	`Thu Sep 12 1991 10:15`	9
	Cuz it wouldn't be so appetizing if it wuz blue? And if burnt barley is cause fer the color of stout, what's porter's excuse? And at least they can't put green dye in it on St Patrick's Day. That'll continue to be the sorry fate of Miller Lite.
949.14	Guiness IS good for you	VIRGO::KEATING		`Mon Sep 16 1991 13:23`	6
	My wife, directly of Irish lineage (her folks are the Foleys of Upper Kilbrain, Killarney, Co Kerry) has a physician who believes in Guinness as a source of vitamin and proteins, and prescribes it as a restorative to people who get run down. Based on the success of Guiness and Harp sales here in the US, why don't they import Smithwick's Ale to us thirsty Irish Americans.?
949.15	Is this covered by my Medical Plan ??	ACTGSF::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Mon Sep 16 1991 13:59`	9
	Would it be possible for the doctor to phone in a "Prescription" to the local pharmacy ?? :-) keVin
949.16	Ye dont want the Kilkenny water	MACNAS::MKEYES		`Mon Sep 16 1991 14:21`	11
	..Smithwicks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ..cause its made in Kilkenny -)....Maybe they sell it under a different name..In germany its sold as "Kilkenny beer"...Horribile stuff. Can ye get the cans of draught Guiness over in the ststes ? Good stuff. mick
949.17	Guinness & Christy = Afternoon Delight !!!!	ACTGSF::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Mon Sep 16 1991 15:10`	13
	The only Guinness we have here is either the draught in the pubs, or this HORRIBLE stuff that they put in bottles. I've had friends (hint hint) that have brought over the bottles of Guinness draught, complete with the syringe, and I have also had the cans of Guinness draught. I think the stuff in the cans is actually quite good. I hoping that a certain friend from Kilkenney that will be here in a week, will bring enough Guinness to restock my bar. keVin
949.18	Moore drinks no more.....	MACNAS::JDOOLEY	The Bucks of Oranmore	`Tue Sep 17 1991 09:37`	6
	The latest news is that Christy Moore is off the drink. He had a heart attack a while back and had to give up the drink and lose weight...... He appeared on a TV show a while back and looks YEARS younger... In a radio interview he spoke frankly of his fondness for the drink and his newly adopted abstenance.
949.19	I'm still up on the surf board after 14 pints of stout ...	ACTGSF::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Tue Sep 17 1991 09:58`	9
	I was thinking more of "ME" being the one doing the drinking whilst listening to a few Christy Moore tunes ... :-) keVin
949.20		CSLALL::KSULLIVAN		`Tue Sep 17 1991 12:24`	1
	Yeah, right!!!
949.21	Virtual Pint	DBOSW2::BRENNAN_M	Guinness - A work of Arth	`Wed Sep 18 1991 07:39`	6
	KeVin, Will a poster of a pint satisfy ? MBr
949.22	Are you telling me you have no room in your suitcase ?? :-(	HILL16::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Wed Sep 18 1991 08:35`	12
	MBr: I've seen a new poster showing up in the pubs around here, it says: "GUINNESS ... THE BEER YOU'VE BEEN PRACTICING FOR !!!" keVin
949.23		POLAR::RUSHTON	տ�	`Thu Sep 19 1991 17:32`	1
	MBr: If you'll FAX me a Guinness, I'll FAX you the money. ��
949.24		DELNI::CULBERT	Free Michael Culbert	`Thu Sep 19 1991 17:55`	6
	MBr. If you FAX him a Guinness you had better FAX me one too. Don't worry about the money. The check is in the mail......8*) paddy
949.25	We will have one for ye	MACNAS::MKEYES		`Fri Sep 20 1991 11:51`	9
	..ye poor lads....sure we will have a few for ye overhere to-night instead. Will that do -) -) -) Mick (practising)
949.26	In a few weeks, "The Party will be Over" !! ;-)	HILL16::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Fri Sep 20 1991 12:19`	9
	Enjoy them Mick ..... keVin
949.27		DELNI::CULBERT	Free Michael Culbert	`Fri Sep 20 1991 13:28`	13
	In a few days you will be just like the rest of us so do it while you can, me boyo. 8*) And remember this "They ALL change". Some for the better, some for the worse. I'll be thinking of you and toasting to the east at the appropriate moment. Another one bites the dust.......... paddy
949.28	How to spice up your marriage...	SUPER::ST_ONGE		`Fri Sep 20 1991 13:52`	18
	Hi All, Just back after two weeks on vacation and I find this note. I thought you'd all be interested to know what really gives the Guinness its bite, as I just happened to be reading about it this week. [My husband, bless him, his new hobby is HOME BREWING...we've got a huge vat of lager sitting in our bathtub right now.] "The Complete Joy of Home Brewing" by Charlie Papazian says: "The Guinness Brewery achieves its tang by actually adding a small amount (3 percent) of pasteurized soured beer to all of its stouts around the world." The author's approximation of Guinness (minus the tang) is a recipe called Toad Spit Stout. Cheers, Diane
949.29		DELNI::CULBERT	Free Michael Culbert	`Fri Sep 20 1991 14:53`	43
	Mick, Remember these rules when thinking of how Guinness USED to taste!! THE RULES 1. THE FEMALE ALWAYS MAKES THE RULES. a. The rules are subject to change at any time without notice. b. No man can possibly know all the rules. Nearly all females are born with this knowledge. c. If the female suspects the male knows any of the rules, she may immediately change any or all of the rules. 2. THE FEMALE IS NEVER WRONG. a. If the female is wrong, it is because of a misunderstanding which was a direct result of something the male did or said wrong. b. If rule #2a. applies, the male must appologize immediately for causing the misunderstanding. 3. THE FEMALE CAN CHANGE HER MIND AT ANY GIVEN POINT IN TIME. a. The male must never change his mind without express written consent from the female. 4. THE FEMALE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO BE ANGRY OR UPSET AT ANY TIME. a. The male must remain calm at all times, unless the female wants him to be angey or upset. b. The female must under no circumstances let the male whether or not she wants him to be angry or upset. 5. ANY ATTEMPT BY THE MALE TO CHANGE ANY OF THESE RULES COULD RESULT IN SEVER BODILY HARM. So Mick, now you have the rest of the story paddy
949.30	We can change them	MACNAS::MKEYES		`Mon Sep 23 1991 09:03`	6
	...Naw naw....So thats what happened ye folks over there......But I will keep the Rules in mind...with the odd wee aleration here and there...and here and there..-) -) -) -).. Mick
949.31	"As she's "hurling" the pots & pans at your head" :-)	ACTGSF::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Mon Sep 23 1991 10:06`	9
	Mick: In just a few more weeks, the term "Hurling" is going to take on a completely new meaning for ya boy'o .... keVin
949.32		DELNI::CULBERT	Free Michael Culbert	`Mon Sep 23 1991 13:58`	10
	I have it from the horses mouth. Guinness turned black all on it's own when someone canceled a party the night before his wedding. Mick when are you to have the next party anyway??????? You wouldn't WIMP out on us now would you. Remember you hold the honor of manhood in your hands and you are representing us men so think VERY hard my man... paddy
949.33	exit	MACNAS::MKEYES		`Mon Sep 23 1991 14:24`	20
	clarification needed!! .....of course we cancelled STARTING the session the night before...theres only 24 hrs in a day....SO we are starting a day previous..Real Guinness people only get warmed up after 24-36 hrs...and a few Munich vets (if they are alive after the beerfest) need training!! looks like a kick off in Mulligans.. "cancelling a session".....have faith!! have faith!! -) -) -) Mick ...
949.34	Goodbye to the Port & Brandy, The Vodka and the Stag	ACTGSF::BURNS	F�ILTE GO BAILE U� BHEACH�IN	`Wed Oct 09 1991 15:25`	13
	So ......... Just how is Mr. "Mick Keyes-Kenney" doing these days ??? :-) I won't type in uppercase as I'm sure the headache must still be very very intense !!!! keVin