It’s an eternal debate. Who has the best pint of Guinness in the world? While thousands of bars around the world boast that they serve the best pint of brown stout, a recent study by the Institute of Food Technologists reveals that Guinness tastes better in Ireland, its country of origin! Scientific proof that should give other challenger countries something to cheer about!
The study was carried out in 33 cities in 14 countries around the world. Over 103 testers were dispatched to test a pint of Guinness in 71 pubs. They were then asked to taste it and evaluate the beer’s appearance, the care taken in serving it, the flavor, and the taste left in the mouth a few minutes after consumption.
They were then asked to award a final grade. For Ireland, the beer achieved an average of 74/100, unlike the other countries, which never exceeded 57/100.
The verdict was clear: of the panel questioned, more than a majority spoke in favor of the green Erin, saying they preferred Guinness served directly in Ireland.
But why would that be? According to scientists, there are several possible explanations:
It’s still anyone’s guess, but Guinness could be altered by travel outside Ireland. Changes in temperature, coupled with untimely transport movements, could somewhat alter the stout’s original taste.
This hypothesis is more myth than truth, but the theory is still very much alive in the minds of Irish dark beer drinkers. A forthcoming study should address this issue.
Another hypothesis: the Irish are better at serving Guinness than others. For many, the Irish are the only people who know their own beer to perfection… Precise temperature, served in 2 batches in accordance with Guinness instructions… It would take more than 119.5 seconds to serve the perfect pint…
Maybe the Irish have more of a knack for it than the others… who knows?
What if it’s all in our heads? That’s another possibility, suggested by Pete Brown, a leading beer expert. The latter states that :
Drinking Guinness in Ireland will always be more pleasant than in London or Paris, or anywhere else. Simply because there’s a sense of authenticity associated with drinking a local beer in the country itself. That’s why the atmosphere of an Irish pub in Ireland is unlike any in the rest of the world. Things are truer, because they’re simply local.
People will go to Dublin with the intention of ordering a pint of Guinness… and will already be preparing themselves for a feeling of satisfaction before it even passes their lips.
So the mystery remains, and everyone will surely have their own hypothesis. Whatever the case, one thing is certain: Ireland is the big winner in this challenge!
04 September 2025 
