September 24th marked the 250th anniversary of the signing of the lease for the St James' Gate Brewery in Dublin
where Guinness is brewed. The Black Stuff, as it's commonly known, has become synonymous with Ireland although there are stouts brewed here such as Murphy's or Beamish.
Guinness has been celebrated in literature, with Dickens mentioning it as long ago as 1836, although one of the most famous references comes from Flann O'Brian, an Irish man, naturally, who wrote: 'When food is scare and your larder bare / And no rashers grease your pan / When hunger grows as your meals are rare / – A pint of plain is your only man
. . .
The Guinness family who first brewed the famous concoction ,said to be so good for one's health that even pregnant women are encouraged to drink a glass 'for the iron', have any connection with the product which bears their name.
Guinness is now owned by drinks giant Diageo and marketed throughout the world.