Guinness: The 250 Year Quest for the Perfect Pint [Hardcover]

"This book is telling of the legends of Guinness – the stout, the men and the mythology."  (Retail & Leisure International, December 2007)

"...should be on the shelf of anyone who professes to want to learn more about the last 250 years of brewing"  (What′s Brewing, December 2007)

"...an absorbing tale, brilliantly handled."  (New Imbiber, December 2007)

"This is a thoroughly enjoyable, complete chronicle of a great been business."  (World Business, December 2007)

"This book is telling of the legends of Guinness – the stout, the men and the mythology."  (Retail & Leisure International, December 2007)

"...should be on the shelf of anyone who professes to want to learn...about the last 250 years of brewing"  (What′s Brewing, December 2007)

"...an absorbing tale, brilliantly handled."  (New Imbiber, December 2007)

"This is a thoroughly enjoyable, complete chronicle of a great been business."  (World Business, December 2007)

"...should be on the shelf of anyone who professes to want to learn...about the last 250 years of brewing"

"...an absorbing tale, brilliantly handled."

"This is a thoroughly enjoyable, complete chronicle of a great been business."

A perfectly poured history of the world′s greatest beer.

"Joseph Conrad was wrong. The real journey into the Heart of Darkness is recounted within the pages of Bill Yenne′s fine book. Guinness (the beer) is a touchstone for brewers and beer lovers the world over. Guinness (the book) gives beer enthusiasts all the information and education necessary to take beer culture out of the clutches of light lagers and back into the dark ages. Cheers!"
–Sam Calagione, owner, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and author of Brewing Up a Business, Extreme Brewing, and Beer or Wine?

"Marvelous! As Bill Yenne embarks on his epic quest for the perfect pint, he takes us along on a magical tour into the depths of all things Guinness. Interweaving the tales of the world′s greatest beer and the nation that spawned it, Yenne introduces us to a cast of characters worthy of a dozen novels, a brewery literally dripping with history, and–of course–the one–and–only way to properly pour a pint. You can taste the stout porter on every page."
–Dan Roam, author of The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

For millions of beer lovers the world over, a properly poured pint of Guinness Stout is as close to perfection as beer gets. Each year, fans of the legendary black liquidation enjoy two billion pints of the beer known for its distinctive creamy head and rich drinkability. Ireland′s most famous export, Guinness Stout—and the people who have brewed it—hold a unique place in the history of beer, business, and Ireland itself.

They say that good things come to those who wait. When you wait on a perfectly poured pint of Guinness Stout, you know you′re getting something good. It′s more than just a pint of beer; it′s a mouthwatering visual presentation of the quality and taste you′re about to enjoy. And millions wait patiently for their pint every day. To find out why, famed beer and beverage writer Bill Yenne talks to everyone from Guinness′s master brewer to typical pubgoers about the beer they hold dear. Whatever magic makes it so delicious, it′s powerful enough to soothe the souls of beer lovers from Dublin to Boston to Buenos Aires to Lagos, and everywhere in between.

But Guinness is more than a delicious beverage, it′s also the name of the remarkable family of brewers and entrepreneurs whose story is worthy of legend, and who occupy a prominent place in Irish history. In Guinness, Yenne traces the 250–year tale of the family and its namesake beer. Beginning with Arthur Guinness, the entrepreneur patriarch who first began brewing at St. James′s Gate, Dublin, in 1759, the story follows succeeding generations of the Guinness family through the years. Yenne follows not just the fortunes of the family Guinness, but also the development of the brand and the beer—from Arthur′s earliest porter to the beer that is enjoyed in 150 countries today.

For Guinness aficionados, this tale offers an inside look at a legendary brewing company and the craftsmanship and pride that go into every keg. For anyone who hopes to keep their business vibrant and dynamic for the next few centuries, the book offers important lessons on continuity, quality, and innovation. For everyone who loves a good beer story, Guinness offers a perfect pint more than two centuries in the pouring.

Sit back and enjoy.

A perfectly poured history of the world′s greatest beer.

"Joseph Conrad was wrong. The real journey into the Heart of Darkness is recounted within the pages of Bill Yenne′s fine book. Guinness (the beer) is a touchstone for brewers and beer lovers the world over. Guinness (the book) gives beer enthusiasts all the information and education necessary to take beer culture out of the clutches of light lagers and back into the dark ages. Cheers!"
—Sam Calagione, owner, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and author of Brewing Up a Business, Extreme Brewing, and Beer or Wine?

"Marvelous! As Bill Yenne embarks on his epic quest for the perfect pint, he takes us along on a magical tour into the depths of all things Guinness. Interweaving the tales of the world′s greatest beer and the nation that spawned it, Yenne introduces us to a cast of characters worthy of a dozen novels, a brewery literally dripping with history, and—of course—the one–and–only way to properly pour a pint. You can taste the stout porter on every page."
—Dan Roam, author of The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures

Bill Yenne has been writing extensively about beer and brewing history for two decades and has discussed these subjects as a featured guest on the History Channel. He is the author of more than forty books on a variety of historical topics, and a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.