For anyone whose interested this is where I am going to list all the beers and other drinks I've been able to "sample" while over here.
Legend: All drinks are on a scale of 0 (never again), 1 (decent), 2 (pretty good) or 3 (Sláinte!) sheets.
Craic Fact - If you go into a bar or pub and order a drink it comes in a brand specific glass. American and Australian (Fosters) brands are the only ones that come in generic pint glasses.
BEER
Guinness: 2 Sheets - The Irish stout that everyone knows, and is in every single bar, restaurant, pub or store you go into that sells alcohol, Brilliant!
Beamish: 2 Sheets - Another Irish stout, that is incredibly similar to Guinness, in fact I can't taste a difference at all between the two. I have a sneaking suspicion that this one may be the somewhat off brand of Guinness.
Murphy's: 3 Sheets - By far the best Irish stout I've had so far, it tastes like coffee and beer mixed together, and while I know that probably sounds god awful, it's not. Also found in most bars, pubs and stores.
Carlsberg: 2 Sheets - A decent Danish lager, nothing too special about it. Comparable to Heineken. Craic Fact - Has the best beer slogan around: "Probably the best lager in the world."
Tuborg: .5 Sheets - So I'm going against the legend here and giving it a .5 because it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't drink it if I were to be with friends and get a cheap pitcher of it, but if it's coming in a 3 euro pint, no sir. A Danish pilsner, again nothing special. Alot like Carlsberg, but more watery. Comparable to Coors Lite. Craic Fact - Claims to be from Denmark, but it's brewed and canned in Dublin.
Becks: 2 Sheets - A pretty good German pale lager, nothing to write home about (even though I kinda I am right now). I've only found it in one bar so far, and it comes in a square pint glass.
Smithwick's: 3 Sheets to the wind - Possibly the best beer I've had so far. Fantastic Irish red ale. The oldest ale in Ireland, and still one of the most popular, very very good.
Kilkenny: 3 Sheets - An Irish Cream Ale. I have no idea what that means, but it pours like a stout but tastes like a red ale. A very dark red in color. Craic Fact - Kilkenny is brewed in Kilkenny (and at the Guinness factory in Dublin now), which happens to be Cork's Hurling rival. I'm not sure if I'm offending anyone by buying it right after they Cork lost to them.
Bavarian Crown: 2 Sheets - A lager from Holland. Pretty decent, made with the "purest mineral water" and relatively cheep. Doesn't come in pints, and isn't sold in any bar or pub I've been to yet.
Harp: 1 Sheet - An Irish lager, another "nothing special" beer. Not bad, but not great either. Supposed to be good for black & tans.
Hoegaarden: 0 Sheets - A Belgian wheat beer. It's kinda fruity tasting... all in all I'm only a fan of the name.
Paulaner Weissbier: .5 Sheets - German wheat beer. Not very good (in my opinion) but better than the Hoegaarden.
Delirium Tremens: .5 Sheets - Belgian "strong pale ale" at 10% alcohol it's taste is very bitter, and it smells kinda like meat. It came in a cool white beer bottle though, and the label has dancing dragons, alligators and pink elephants on it. Craic Fact - Named after alcohol withdrawal.
Tennent's: 2 Sheets - Scottish Lager. The first and only beer from Scotland that I've been able to find (at least that's blatantly marked "SCOTLAND") so I don't know how it compares to others, but I am a fan, and it's quite reasonably priced.
The ones you probably won't find...
So I live right across the river (2 minute walk... and that's if I'm moseying) from the Franciscan Well microbrewery, which was voted "Best Microbrewery in Ireland" and to be honest. I believe it. They make some pretty good beers there. If you happen to go in, just remember to order the type of beer, not the name. (e.g. if you want the Rebel Red, ask for a red ale. I've gotten yelled at for not doing that)
Purgatory Pale Ale
Rebel Red
Rebel Lager
Shandon Stout
Raspberry Beer - had a taste, not for me. Girls love it though. It tastes like a thick raspberry soda pop.
I haven't actually had any of these while thinking about my ratings for them, so I'll have to go there soon to get my full opinion on them. I'll report back shortly
OTHER DRINKS
Bulmer's Irish Cider: 2 Sheets - Comes in 3 different flavors; Original (Apple cider), Pear and Berry. Tastes like fruit juice mixed with Champagne... not bad. Craic Fact - Despite seeming as though it is a girly drink, it is apparently quite a manly drink to order.
Jameson Irish Whisky: 2 Sheets - Much smoother than American whiskeys and straight from the heart of Ireland. Each bottle is aged at least 3 years, and most off licenses have 12 year old bottles as well for about €10 more.
Absinthe: 1 Sheet - Tastes a lot like Jägermeister, probably due to the fact that it's made from many of the same herbs. Supposed to make you go crazy and hallucinate about a green fairy, but this is not the case. It is merely an extremely alcoholic beverage (140 proof) so watch out. It's almost not worth it to make the actual drink, due to the tedious process of adding sugar and water, but doing shots is just an all around bad idea.
SPECIALTIES
(specialty beverages may not have a rating because the overall taste of it depends on all the ingredients used in the drink)
Black & Tan/Half&Half: Half stout, half pale ale/lager. The lighter beer is poured into the glass until half full. Then the stout is poured over an over turned spoon on top of the ale. If done correctly the two beers will remain separated. Craic Fact - Does NOT work well with Murphy's.
WARNING: Ordering this in Ireland may get you dirty looks and a lack of service. Apparently offensive due to the fact that the English were the only ones who ever drank it. Why tour books and the Travel Network would tell us otherwise is beyond me.
Irish Coffee: Coffee mixed with cream/milk, Jameson whiskey and brown sugar. A traditional breakfast drink and age old hang over cure.
Hot Whiskey: Whiskey mixed with warm water, cloves and a lemon slice. MMMMMmmmmmm Great for cold nights.
