Toasting 250 Years of Guinness

by Stephanie Sherril
on Friday, September 18, 2009

On September 24, Guinness celebrates its 250-year anniversary. A worldwide party is planned for this day, as drinkers across the globe - from Dublin to Nigeria to Kuala Lumpur - raise a glass to toast Irishman Arthur Guinness' brewing legacy.

Around 10 million pints of the rich stout are pulled a day - but why is Guinness so popular? Perhaps because it is a low-carb, low-calorie beer chock full of nutrients. It is said to have fewer calories than light beer, or even a glass of skim milk, and more antioxidants than red wine. Doctors once encouraged patients to drink Guinness due to its high iron content. Meanwhile, a scientific study has proven that the stout has similar anti-clotting benefits for those with heart problems as taking an aspirin. Some dedicated drinker even tallied that you can get all your daily nutritional requirements by drinking a glass of milk, orange juice and 48 pints of Guinness. Health benefits aside, another reason for its massive popularity is that this ‘elixir of life' just tastes so damn good.

In Shanghai there are only a handful of places offering Guinness on tap. Jenny's Blue Bar is a perennial favorite. Jenny and her staff are always on hand with a warm smile and friendly conversation. As an added bonus, happy hour begins at 2pm and includes Guinness for RMB50. For an upscale British pub, head to Park Tavern. With four floors to choose from, it's easy to find the perfect ambiance for relishing your pint of Guinness. My favorites are the cozy nooks on the second floor or the spacious rooftop terrace. Big Bamboo is another popular venue to catch the latest game, while enjoying a dark (ruby, not black) Guinness.

Autumn's cool evening temperatures make the garden at O'Malley's an ideal choice for a pint after work. Or if that doesn't suit your Irish mood, the Blarney Stone down the street also pours a good Guinness. The city's newest Irish pub is Paddy Wang's, whose owner spent 10 years in Ireland before moving back to China. Hang out on the patio to people watch along Julu Lu or go inside to challenge Paddy to a Wii game - either way you'll enjoy the RMB55 pints all day long.