Reilly's-Guinness

I suppose I couldn't go too long before getting my hands on some of the black stuff, and I couldn't think of a better place to do so than Reilly's. This small corner pub had live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting at 9. Last night it was a lone guitarist singing a mix of Irish Folk Songs, Simon and Garfunkel, and even some acoustic twists on more modern pop songs. The place had an amazing atmosphere, and although it wasn't that busy it was perfect for me. I enjoyed every minute and plan to make a trip back there soon.

As for the beer, it had the proper nitrogen cascade, as you can see in the photo, and ended up brimming perfectly with its creamy head. The smell is of coffee and roasted grain. The taste begins with a mouthful of foam, and compared to the states this is where the biggest difference lies. In Ireland, the head is denser, but also fluffier, creating a rich barrier between you and the beer. Once you get past the foam the beer has the typical flavor profile of a smooth roast with a drying finish, inviting you back for more. Although this beer doesn't have the most unique flavors like some beers today it still will be a great choice for a night like this.

The past few days have beer busy for me. On both Tuesday and Thursday we went to UCD where we got our student IDs, had student orientation, worked out, and explored the campus a little bit. The place is huge and unfortunately the business school and the gym are on opposite sides of the campus.

On Wednesday, we went to a couple museums. First was the Natural History Museum. Although the building is small, every inch is packed with animals. The first floor features fish, birds, and animals from Ireland, and the second floor are specimens from all over the world. Best part is, it was free.

Next, we went to the Archaeology and History Museum, and on our way there, we passed a protest outside the Taoiseach's (Prime Minister) office. This museum was pretty big and had pieces from ancient Ireland, all the way through Medieval times. Some of the coolest pieces were the goldwork from thousands of years ago. Overall, these two national museums led to a full day, which left me pretty tired by the end.

On Friday, we are headed to Galway, which should give me some great pictures and stories to tell in my next post.
Cheers!