ONE OF THE last great conundrums facing man kind has been solved. Guinness tastes better in Ireland than anywhere else in the world.

In the latest issue of the Journal of Food Science (subscription required)  a survey has shown some evidence that the pint of Guinness really does taste much better in Ireland than in other countries.

However the scientists at the Institute of Food Technologists said more research was needed to confirm their findings.

Over one year, four researchers of differing nationalities travelled to 14 different countries visiting 33 different cities and 71 different establishments which all served Guinness to collect ‘data’ for 103 tastings.

Their research included measuring temperature, the depth of the famous head on the pint, a stopwatch to measure pouring and drinking time and an all important taste rating from 0-100.

Tasting scores for pints were high for establishments all around the world but significantly higher here in Ireland.

The study also considered a popular “conspiracy theory” that Guinness produces three different qualities of its famous brew.

In their conclusion the scientists said that the finest quality Guinness is given to its own employees, the second best is sold to the people of Ireland, and the worst is exported.