The Most Important Question Ever Asked

[MichelleElynHogan]

In all seriousness, as I walk the Camino Frances this Spring, I need to ask the best places to find, “Guinness.” Any and all help is very much appreciated. I am mildly anemic and it helps build the iron in my blood.

BTW, did you know that St. Peter’s Gate is right next door to St. James Gate where Guinness is brewed, in such. Heavenly mannered?

No Guinness haters allowed.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Guinness is a little harder to find in Spain, in that neither the bottled stuff (that I personally avoid anyway) nor the acceptable "gizmo" half litre cans are typically available in Spanish supermarkets, except some of the very large ones, not typically found in pueblos along the Camino -- but in the cities along the Way, there are cervezerias and even craft beer shops where such black gold can be mined -- only one I can think of offhand is a good beer shop in one of the little streets north of Burgos Cathedral, but I have at least seen (if not drank) Guinness in several places along the Way. More often, admittedly, on the Ways in France than in Spain, as the "euro-Guinness" is brewed under licence by a French brewer.

You're well-advised BTW to mention St. Peter’s Gate and St. James Gate on this forum, as they are located on the Camino through Dublin to the Harbour whence Pilgrims were and are wont to embark upon the sea crossing portion of their pilgrimages to Rome or Compostela, even though the new Britanny Ferries service from Cork to Santander might shift some old traditions to a different route.

 

[KinkyOne]

I regularly saw Guinness 0,5l cans in supermercados but not in small village shops. Also there are Irish Pubs or Taverns in each larger town along the Frances.

I remember this Irish guy drank it at least two times from SJPdP to Leon:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ysOpAERXmmYM3LGPCu9JA

Sláinte

 

[Glenshiro]

I don't think SJPdP has one, but there is an Irish pub in every town of any size in Spain - certainly in Pamplona (several, eg, Paddy's Corner, The Dublin House,) Estella, (The Faculty Old Sport ) Burgos (several) etc. but you will struggle in many of the smaller places. You may have to rely on iron tablets!

I'm not a Guinness drinker myself (although I have visited the St James' Gate brewery - great view from the top) but doubtless at least one belongs to this forum and will have carried out the vital fact-finding, on-the-ground research. Buen Camino!

 

[KinkyOne]

I'm not a Guinness drinker myself (although I have visited the St James' Gate brewery - great view from the top) but doubtless at least one belongs to this forum and will have carried out the vital fact-finding, on-the-ground research. Buen Camino!

You mean @Irish Bernie ?

 

[JabbaPapa]

I don't think SJPdP has one

Maybe not, but the canned Guinness is very likely available there, as it is in most even small towns in France -- and SJPP is not small.

 

[Kurt5280]

I drank my share of beer on the Camino...never asked about brand...all I cared was if it was cold...besides all the European beers are much better than American beers...so my favorite Spanish phrase is "Dos cervezas frias por favor!"

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Note to Moderator who moved this thread:

I wish to uderstand why it was moved. I am following the Camino Frances specifically and require information along that route. Please, I ask that this thread be moved back to the Camino Frances Forum to ensure I receive the most accurate, and timely information.

 

[Deleted member 12253]

In all seriousness, as I walk the Camino Frances this Spring, I need to ask the best places to find, “Guinness.” Any and all help is very much appreciated. I am mildly anemic and it helps build the iron in my blood.

BTW, did you know that St. Peter’s Gate is right next door to St. James Gate where Guinness is brewed, in such. Heavenly mannered?

No Guinness haters allowed.

Guinness Breewery Dublin that’s new one. The biggest Guinness Brewery in the world is in Cameroon in Africa. If you drink a Pionta Guinness on Camino it was brewed in Africa. Beidh an Craic agat

 

[Anamiri]

I dont know if you are vegetarian but given how carnivorous the Spanish menu generally is, I think you'd be able to get your iron from that

 

[Stivandrer]

Do you know this product:

https://www.violey.com/en/salus-kraeuterblut-floradix-with-iron_p_19142.html

My wif´s a midwife and recommends this for pregnant mother, and even if you are assured that you are not, this gives a dose of iron which does not constiopate, like som remedies do.
Here the iron is in organic form.
If you dont want to carry a bottle, make sure iron tablets are taken in conjunction with vitamion C but not Calcium
Maybe you have already been here !

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

Reminds me of a slideshow I once watched by a German engineer who did a stint with an international aid organization building wells in a developing country. Along with his construction equipment they shipped him down with two palettes of his hometown brew, under the reasonable assumption that a German will die without access to German beer!

 

[Stivandrer]

Everything said, many things speak for the humble Guinness, though....

Happy Saint Patricks Day !

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

I dont know if you are vegetarian but given how carnivorous the Spanish menu generally is, I think you'd be able to get your iron from that

I wish my diet would fulfill my iron needs but this is an issue that spans several decades and Guinness was actually prescribed by my naturpath.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Guinness Breewery Dublin that’s new one. The biggest Guinness Brewery in the world is in Cameroon in Africa. If you drink a Pionta Guinness on Camino it was brewed in Africa. Beidh an Craic agat

St. James Gate Brewery (direct relation I believe), was actually built in 1759. Here is the background;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness_Brewery

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Do you know this product:

https://www.violey.com/en/salus-kraeuterblut-floradix-with-iron_p_19142.html

My wif´s a midwife and recommends this for pregnant mother, and even if you are assured that you are not, this gives a dose of iron which does not constiopate, like som remedies do.
Here the iron is in organic form.
If you dont want to carry a bottle, make sure iron tablets are taken in conjunction with vitamion C but not Calcium
Maybe you have already been here !

Thank you for the recommendation. Not familiar with this product as I live in Canada.

And I must take calcium as well. Osteperosis runs in my Family. I do add Vit C to my diet regularly, again, because of where I live and the lack of sunshine for half the year, but I have been prescribed B6 / B12 compound to aid in the assimilation of Iron and the other supplements and meds on the list.

Fortunately, no bowel issues. Proper water consumption ensures that, I believe.

 

[RJM]

Guinness being a source of iron? Hmmm...that is a new one. Now I have a good excuse for my getting pissed on it .
I'm throwing the spinach in the bin and packing the fridge with its liquid replacement.

 

[JabbaPapa]

all the European beers are much better than American beers...

Live and learn : https://spencerbrewery.com/

 

[daesdaemar]

This post actually peaked my curiosity so I did a little web research. Interesting article here: http://www.nutritionmyths.com/is-guinness-beer-a-good-source-of-iron/

BTW: no one ever needs an excuse to have a cold one or two while walking the Camino

 

[RJM]

Live and learn : https://spencerbrewery.com/

There are a fair amount of good beers made in America now. One has to get off the beaten path, so to speak, and drink ones from the smaller breweries like that one.

 

[Stephen]

There's an Irish bar in Sahagun, too, the halfway point on the Camino. It would hardly be worthy of the name if it didn't stock the black nectar.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

This post actually peaked my curiosity so I did a little web research. Interesting article here: http://www.nutritionmyths.com/is-guinness-beer-a-good-source-of-iron/

BTW: no one ever needs an excuse to have a cold one or two while walking the Camino

I may recommend doing a little more research. That 0.03 mg actually shows on a Nutrition Label as 0.30%. Also, if you have read the full thread, I have stated that Guinness was prescribed by my Naturopath, who is also an MD, so I am good. I also have decades of experience of the benefits I have been blessed with over the years. No need to detail them here.

 

[Sixwheeler]

I thought that every town on earth now has an Irish Pub, good luck in your search.

 

[jayree]

There's an Irish bar in Sahagun, too, the halfway point on the Camino. It would hardly be worthy of the name if it didn't stock the black nectar.

On the Camino Norte I was scheduled to meet someone in Markena Xemien. When I finally walked in the whole town was on siesta, a veritable ghost town, except for the Irish Pub, which was open but empty. They had three beers on tap. I ordered a Guinness and the bar tender said in Spanish, "We don't have that." So I ordered a Murphy's Irish Red. Again, "We don't have that." Finally I ordered a Heineken which they did have. Later I asked Rosa why an Irish Pub didn't have any Irish beer. "No one here drinks that stuff. We can't sell it. All we have is Heinekin on tap."

 

[Desert Bruce]

I found two ‘Irish Pubs’ on the Camino that served Guinness. One in Leon near the plaza, the other was at the south end of the Historic district in Santiago. DO NOT expect a good pour in Spain. They serve every beer with at least an inch, 2.5cm, of foam. In Leon my Irish companion, Podrig, tried to explain the proper way to pour a Guinness, but we still got the standard depth of foam. But at least it was a Guinness.

 

[Desert Bruce]

This post actually peaked my curiosity so I did a little web research. Interesting article here: http://www.nutritionmyths.com/is-guinness-beer-a-good-source-of-iron/

BTW: no one ever needs an excuse to have a cold one or two while walking the Camino

I did not think of a ‘hearty’ beer while on my Caminos, beer was about the social time after cleaning up, and, of course, replenishing vital bodily fluids.

 

[Dsavid Keyte]

Guinness is a little harder to find in Spain, in that neither the bottled stuff (that I personally avoid anyway) nor the acceptable "gizmo" half litre cans are typically available in Spanish supermarkets, except some of the very large ones, not typically found in pueblos along the Camino -- but in the cities along the Way, there are cervezerias and even craft beer shops where such black gold can be mined -- only one I can think of offhand is a good beer shop in one of the little streets north of Burgos Cathedral, but I have at least seen (if not drank) Guinness in several places along the Way. More often, admittedly, on the Ways in France than in Spain, as the "euro-Guinness" is brewed under licence by a French brewer.

You're well-advised BTW to mention St. Peter’s Gate and St. James Gate on this forum, as they are located on the Camino through Dublin to the Harbour whence Pilgrims were and are wont to embark upon the sea crossing portion of their pilgrimages to Rome or Compostela, even though the new Britanny Ferries service from Cork to Santander might shift some old traditions to a different route.

Lots of Guiness available in León

 

[november_moon]

I drank my share of beer on the Camino...never asked about brand...all I cared was if it was cold...besides all the European beers are much better than American beers...so my favorite Spanish phrase is "Dos cervezas frias por favor!"

Live and learn : https://spencerbrewery.com/

LOL. Yeah, I got a good chuckle out of that pronouncement too. I have had some less-than-satisfactory beer in Spain as - the ubiquitous Mahou comes to mind. I am not a fan of Cruzcampo either, but somebody must be drinking it because it's everywhere. In the US, we've got more than 6000 breweries now - it's getting so you can't walk down the street without tripping over good beer

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Kind of like Starbuck's on every corner.......

 

[JabbaPapa]

I have had some less-than-satisfactory beer in Spain as - the ubiquitous Mahou comes to mind.

Go for the green label one, mate ...

Hardly craft beer, but at least not intrinsically evil as the red label is.

 

[Sticks]

In all seriousness, as I walk the Camino Frances this Spring, I need to ask the best places to find, “Guinness.” Any and all help is very much appreciated. I am mildly anemic and it helps build the iron in my blood.

BTW, did you know that St. Peter’s Gate is right next door to St. James Gate where Guinness is brewed, in such. Heavenly mannered?

No Guinness haters allowed.

Years ago when you donated blood in Ireland, the Blood Transfusion Service gave you a glass of Guinness afterwards to help you recover.

 

[t2andreo]

Did you know that Mahou is as "creamy" as it is because one of the ingredients is 'maize' or corn as we colonials call it?

Similarly, the creamy taste of US Budweizer is because the ingredients include rice.

Most folks do not know that.

Thus, beer is good for breakfast...

 

[Stephen]

One of the sellos available at the reception area of Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. I think it features a personification of the River Liffey, Anna Livia.

 

[An Tincéir]

I wish my diet would fulfill my iron needs but this is an issue that spans several decades and Guinness was actually prescribed by my naturpath.

I think your Naturopath is a bit confused. The actual iron content of a pint of Guinness is only 0.3mg, which in terms of your daily needs (14.8mg) is insignificant. In the old days, 1950s and earlier, my Grandmother used Guinness to boost her iron but prior to drinking it she heated an iron poker to red hot and then plunged it into the Guinness thus enhancing the iron content - at least in theory. She lived to be a clear headed 96, not bad for those days.

 

[Opa Theo]

In all seriousness, as I walk the Camino Frances this Spring, I need to ask the best places to find, “Guinness.” Any and all help is very much appreciated. I am mildly anemic and it helps build the iron in my blood.

BTW, did you know that St. Peter’s Gate is right next door to St. James Gate where Guinness is brewed, in such. Heavenly mannered?

No Guinness haters allowed.

Try Stphen Jons' blog on youtube. He's from Dublin.

Stay thirsty.
Ted

 

[JabbaPapa]

I think your Naturopath is a bit confused. The actual iron content of a pint of Guinness is only 0.3mg, which in terms of your daily needs (14.8mg) is insignificant. In the old days, 1950s and earlier

In those times, live yeast was used which did have a high iron content.

 

[Opa Theo]

I think your Naturopath is a bit confused. The actual iron content of a pint of Guinness is only 0.3mg, which in terms of your daily needs (14.8mg) is insignificant. In the old days, 1950s and earlier, my Grandmother used Guinness to boost her iron but prior to drinking it she heated an iron poker to red hot and then plunged it into the Guinness thus enhancing the iron content - at least in theory. She lived to be a clear headed 96, not bad for those days.

Hot iron unfortunately boiled off most of the Alcohol.

 

[An Tincéir]

Hot iron unfortunately boiled off most of the Alcohol.

She did not mind that. She was a tea totaller in all other respects

 

[jeffnd]

It seemed like a lot of the smaller bars I stopped at served only one kind of beer, San Miguel, Mahou, and another one that I can't remember off the top of my head.

 

[JabbaPapa]

It seemed like a lot of the smaller bars I stopped at served only one kind of beer, San Miguel, Mahou, and another one that I can't remember off the top of my head.

You might be forgetting the Estrella Galicia, which is actually very nice. I's also the only one of the three which isn't a maize beer. I'm not dissing these, they're light and refreshing on hot summer days in Spain, but the Estrella has an overall quality above the other two ; which likely contributes to it being the most expensive of the three.

 

[Traveller747]

In all seriousness, as I walk the Camino Frances this Spring, I need to ask the best places to find, “Guinness.” Any and all help is very much appreciated. I am mildly anemic and it helps build the iron in my blood.

BTW, did you know that St. Peter’s Gate is right next door to St. James Gate where Guinness is brewed, in such. Heavenly mannered?

No Guinness haters allowed.

Bring pills, drink wine, it’s the Camino.....then after you go to Ireland and drink Guinnes

 

[JabbaPapa]

Bring pills, drink wine, it’s the Camino.....then after you go to Ireland and drink Guinnes

Drink cerveza and vinos tintos y blancos, but then take joy in the occasional Guinness (or several) on the Way ...

Or in France, drink vins de pays and vins de terroir, avoid most of the French beer, but then take joy in the occasional Guinness (or several) on the Way ...

Only on the Ways in Italy would I suggest temporarily forsaking the black gold entirely ...

 

[habanerocat]

Being Irish I would have a keen eye for any sign of Guinness on the Camino Frances. I spotted two signs on my journey. On venturing inside it turned out they didn't sell Guinness at all. I never did find any anywhere after.

While in Pamplona I searched for an Irish bar as I wanted to watch a GAA match. After much walking I found them (at either ends of the city). Both were closed.

After that debacle I decided enough was enough. I would no longer waste time and energy searching for stuff live matches, drink or food. That I would concentrate on the job at hand, getting from A to B. I never sat into a car or bus for the five weeks I walked. This gave me enormous satisfaction.

I understand your case is different but remember Guinness is heavy and is not very nice warm. So you may be better served trying for a substitute. Sorry.......

 

[Jacobus]

In all seriousness, as I walk the Camino Frances this Spring, I need to ask the best places to find, “Guinness.” Any and all help is very much appreciated. I am mildly anemic and it helps build the iron in my blood.

BTW, did you know that St. Peter’s Gate is right next door to St. James Gate where Guinness is brewed, in such. Heavenly mannered?

No Guinness haters allowed.

I found it widely available in the larger centres.
Cheers

 

[Mario Hussein]

You will most surely find Guinness ( bottle or cans) in EROSKI supermarkets which can be found all along the CAMINO FRANCES in big towns and cities.