As St. Patrick’s Day looms on the horizon and the nation prepares to celebrate all things Irish, revelers are on the hunt for the perfect pint of Guinness.
Although the holiday observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, no St. Patrick’s Day celebration would be complete without pints, pubs and a frosty glass of the iconic Irish stout.
With its rich, creamy texture and distinctive flavor, Guinness has become synonymous with the annual celebration of Irish culture – with 13 million pints of the black stuff estimated to be served around the globe on March 17.
With one in 10 pints served in London’s pubs now a Guinness, bars and pubs around the UK are gearing up for the occasion, stocking up on kegs and ensuring their taps are in pristine condition to deliver the perfect pour.
From budget-friendly options to lavish indulgences, here’s a breakdown of where you can find the cheapest, best, and most expensive pints this St. Patrick’s Day in Britain – as well as advice and recommendations from the Guinness Guru himself.
Here’s a breakdown of where you can find the cheapest, best, and most expensive pints this St. Patrick’s Day in Britain
The cheapest pints of Guinness in Britain
The average cheapest pint of Guinness in the nation can be found in Plymouth, at the cool price of just £3.96.
A study carried out by Vape Superstore found the second cheapest pint is located in Bradford – only one pence more expensive than Plymouth at £3.97.
The third runner up is Swansea, where you can purchase a pint of the stout for around £4.03.
The average cheapest pint of Guinness in the nation can be found in Plymouth, at the cool price of just £3.96
The most expensive pints of Guinness in Britain
Unsurprisingly, the data reveals London to be the home to the most expensive pint of Guinness, with an average cost of £5.14 – 26 per cent more expensive than Plymouth.
After London, Edinburgh was found to be the second most expensive city for pints of the stout, costing revelers around £5.33.
The third most expensive pint of Guinness can be found in Brighton at the cost of £5.11.
London is the home to the most expensive pint of Guinness, with an average cost of £5.14 – 26 per cent more expensive than Plymouth
Where to enjoy the best pints of Guinness in Britain
Mulligan’s – Manchester
“Guinness Guru” Daragh Curran, has awarded Mulligans, in the heart of Manchester city centre, a score of 8.4 out of ten – the highest score that he has given to a pint outside of Ireland.
Mulligans is the oldest Irish pub in Manchester and well-known for pouring the famous stout to perfection, with punters reportedly travelling all the way from the likes of London and Dublin just to secure a sip.
In a video of him trying Mulligans’ Guinness for the first time, Curran confirmed that the pint was ‘exceptional’ and tasted ‘like home.’
The Auld Shillelagh – London
Recommended by Guinness Storehouse itself, few contenders have been so often cited as the best place to go, not just for a pint but for the warm atmosphere as The Auld Shillelagh.
Known as The Shil to its patrons, this simple, old-school Irish pub nestled on Church street in Stoke Newington has become somewhat of a local institution.
The Spotted Dog – Birmingham
According to Birmingham World, The Spotted Dog is a ‘proper’ Irish pub that in character mixes an old style British boozer in an industrial area like Digbeth with the sort of traditional pub you might wander into in any town or village in Ireland.
If you fancy something similar to the look of Guinness but a little bit lighter then mild is always available, and there’s always a decent selection of real ales.
The Guinness is said to be consistently good and you will always get the correct pour.
Few contenders have been so often cited as the best place to go, not just for a pint but for the warm atmosphere as The Auld Shillelagh in London
How to enjoy the perfect pint of Guinness, according to the expert
Self-titled ‘Guinness Guru’ Daragh Curran has made it his mission to find the very best pints of Guinness around the world.
Travelling around Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA, Curran has created a pint map featuring a rating out of ten for each and every Guinness he tries.
Speaking to the Standard, the Guru has issued some advice on how to enjoy the perfect pint of Guinness – as well as giving recommendations on gimmicks to avoid this St. Patrick’s Day.
Curran recommends waiting between pints, but not taking them too slowly, saying: ‘You can’t take 40 minutes to drink a Guinness. It just goes bad really quick.’
‘If I’m having a few, I’ll drink them in 10-15 minutes and maybe wait the same between them.’
He advises not to ‘police’ sips, saying: ‘I never heard the gulp thing here [in Ireland]. Though I do say, if my first sip is down in four gulps, I really, really like it. If it’s in three, it’s fine.’
The expert also recommends asking if a pub has a “regular” Guinness tap, as well as the ubiquitous but less desirable “extra cold” option.
When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day-style gimmicks on March 17, the green colouring is a given no-no.
What about the little four-leaf clover etched into the cream? ‘If there’s a logo on the foam, walk out the door,’ says Curran.
When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day-style gimmicks on March 17, the green colouring is a given no-no