First Taste of Guinness at J.J. Walsh Pub in Cork, Ireland
We went on a little road trip through Ireland with the family! This included Edward, Xander, Joy, Britt, Elize (Joy & Xander’s mother) and Cathelijn (Xander’s Girlfriend).
First impression
Our first day staying in Ireland we went to Cork and went to our first pub of the trip, J. J. Walsh. This historic bar & restaurant is based in the heart of the city. Right in front of the English Market. The cozy and inviting ambiance, complete with wooden accents and dim lighting, sets the stage for a memorable evening. From the friendly staff to the historic memorabilia from the Irish Revolution, this pub exudes a warm and convivial atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
Walking through this impressive pub, we saw a small stage for live music. Since we arrived around lunchtime, there weren’t any performances yet (unfortunately).
J.J. Walsh takes pride in its impressive selection of Irish whiskeys, spirits, and locally brewed beers. They have a lot of variety of drinks on tap. Carlsberg Pilsner, Smithwick’s Red Ale, Rockshore Cider, Rockshore Irish Lager, Hop House 13 Lager and of course, Guinness! Some of us had never tasted a Guinness before, so we took this opportunity to try one, it was very different from what some of us expected!
What is a Guinness?
Chances are, you have heard of Guinness beer. But what is it that makes it so special?
Guinness is the traditional Irish stout beer. Guinness is renowned for its distinct taste and flavor profile that sets it apart from other beers. According to the official website of Guinness the draught beer is ‘known and loved in 150 countries’.
This iconic stout is made from barley, hops, water, yeast and nitrogen. Guinness uses a malted barley to create the foundation of the beer. Then they add a dark roasted barley. This is what gives the Irish stout its deep, dark color and caramelized flavor. Then the hops are added to create its perfectly balanced flavor. Next, they add the Guinness Yeast. This yeast is from a very specific strain of ale yeast that has been used for over 125 years. To create the famous dense & creamy head of Guinness, nitrogen is added to the draught beer. Every pint must have around 3.000.000 bubbles.
Tasting Guinness
Later on this trip we will visit the Guinness Storehouse where we learn more about the aromas, flavors and textures of the Irish stout. But we’ll give you our first impression of tasting a Guinness in Ireland for the first time.
Xander and Edward are the only frequent beer drinkers of our group. Both of them have tried a Guinness before but never had one in Ireland. They both quickly agreed that the one from the pub tasted a lot better than the ones they have tried back home in the Netherlands. This one was a lot more flavorful and smooth.
Britt & I (Joy) have never tasted Guinness before. Neither of us knew what to expect flavor or texture wise. We took a sip from the guys’ drink because we had ordered cider just in case we didn’t like the beer. To both of our surprises it tasted a lot less heavy as we expected based on the color of the stout. It does have a very smooth and creamy texture. Did we fall in love with it? No. Did we like it better than most of the beers we’ve tried? Yes, absolutely! But maybe, just like wine, you have to drink it more often to be able to taste different flavors and learn to like it. Let’s hope so!
Tasting Rockshore Apple Cider
While the guys were enjoying their Guinness, us ladies enjoyed the Rockshore Apple Cider. After some googling we found out that this cider is also owned by Guinness! It’s made with real fresh pressed apples, unlike most ciders that use an apple concentrate. It’s very refreshing, crisp and full of fruitiness. This cider quickly became our go-to order in pubs. And we may, or may not have had a few too many of these during the rest of the trip 🤫.
Food
Since it was lunch time, we decided to have something to eat. J.J. Walsh has created a traditional Irish menu with locally sourced produce from the English Market. They have a variety of meals. We had sandwiches, burgers and the house nacho’s. We didn’t expect a pub to have this quality of food. Everything was very tasty and delicious! 
Final Thoughts
J.J. Walsh in Cork, Ireland encapsulates the true spirit of an authentic Irish pub. From the warm welcome to the delightful flavors of Ireland, this establishment offers an experience that is both memorable and genuine. Whether you’re seeking a taste of Irish culture, a lively night out, or simply a place to unwind with friends, J.J. Walsh is a must-visit destination that will leave you with cherished memories and a longing to return. We are really glad we decided to walk into this pub!
Sláinte to the magic of Irish pubs!
Next up: Award Winning Irish Coffee in Limerick City!
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