From Dublin to the tap: Travel time affects Guinness beer quality in Ireland and Great Britain

Abstract

Guinness beer is famed to be enjoyed best near its birthplace at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, and for losing its character the farther it travels from its origin. This study explores how Guinness travels by estimating a Guinness Distance to Pint Index (GDPI) based on cumulative transportation time in a least-cost spread model. Results show that Ireland, northern England, and southern Scotland preserve peak GDPI quality, while the south and southeast of England experience the sharpest decline.