Oh My God! - They Kilkenny!

Our good friends at The Dubliner are the first in the country to offer Ireland's Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale on draft. Think of Kilkenny as a sister to Guinness. It has the same creamy head but the brew is a starkly-Irish red ale. It's a bit sweet with a somewhat dry finish and not as heavy as Guinness. Frankly, it's just like Guinness in terms of feel but Kilkenny tastes like an ale rather than a stout. If you're looking for an alternative to Guinness this is it.

The Dubliner has been voted Washington, DC's best Irish Pub for good reason. The place feels like Ireland. It's dark, everything is wood, and the bartender has a goofy accent. The food is typically Irish pub food. The beer selection is what you expect from the Irish - always a variety on tap ranging from your Irish favorites to domestic standbys. And they have history too. So much that Morning Joe broadcast from the Dub on Inauguration Day. Next time you're around Union Station, stop by for a Kilkenny and have the fish n chips.

D-liner Lunch

The first post was supposed to be more official sounding - an announcement of the arrival of the Dumbarton blog. But this is a blog revolved around beer and the enlightenment it brings and today is no exception. I just took a bit of a lunch at the D-liner, the area's leading Irish pub, and this always involves some food and beer. Smithwick's was the choice today - just enough to whet the pallet as many of us have a day job. The beer was cold, the barkeep cheerful, and the friends were entertaining. How does that not break up the start of a work week.

Smithwick's is a fine beer - of course, it's Irish so it must be fine. If it's Belgian, German, or Irish how bad can it be? It's good for these hot, humid days when one has to bear the sun's beating as he returns to the office. My guess is that Smithwick's is Ireland's version of Budweiser - a good everyday beer that nobody should be ashamed of drinking. It provides a refreshing taste and finishes clean. Certainly a brew that, if you can find it locally, is worth having a pint or two.

So next time you find yourself looking for a refreshing lunch hour beverage be sure to consider Smithwick's or really any fine Irish brew. If that won't suffice don't let the hour of the day prevent you from enjoying a cold one. Now, if you can't find a reason to have a brew in the afternoon, well, maybe you're reading the wrong blog.