1817 was, apparently, a very good year. That is the year that Guinness started delivering beer to America. Image that first 3-month voyage across the Atlantic in a slow sailing vessel.

Yesterday, the Adventures joined 2 of our dear friends for our first visit to the 1817 Restaurant. This is the restaurant upstairs at Guinness Baltimore.

Even on a cold Sunday evening, Guinness Open Gate Brewery was a busy place. When we came through the gate, some hardy souls were outside keeping warm, huddled around fire pits but still drinking beer.

Because we are not crazy, we headed inside where it was warm. The bar area was crowded, so we found a table in a remote cozy corner. I tried the raspberry chocolate stout (usually a favorite of mine), but thought the raspberry flavor was overpowered by the roasted malts. I also tested a brown ale that was delicious.

The highlight of the evening was our dinner upstairs at the 1817 Restaurant. I ordered the Irish stew with a Guinness Stout. It was thick and delicious with a scoop of mashed potatoes on top. Yum.

Cheers!

Warren