200 years waiting for Guinness

About 200 years ago, someone standing in a London pub was asked to try a new type of ale. Going by the name 'Guinness', the dark liquid may have seemed a little strange to the customer if they had never been to Ireland.

However, since that moment when it was first sold outside Ireland at The Tipperary pub in Fleet Street, the tipple has caught on worldwide. Today, London's oldest Irish pub, a former favourite among printers and journalists, celebrates its 400th year as a drinking establishment.

Originally known as the Boar's Head, it stood on the site of a 14th century monastery. Its connection with the Emerald Isle dates to about 1700, when the hostelry was bought by Irish brewer Mooney & Son.

'I don't think it was intended to be the first Irish pub,' said landlord James Hunt. Guinness says its ale was first served in London in 1794, 25 years after its brewery opened in Dublin.

Mr Hunt added: 'It probably was classified as a burnt ale then. It would have certainly been different to what they were used to but it did catch on.'

The Tipperary is now owned by Greene King but Christopher Randall, grandson of the last licensee under Mooney ownership, Edward Behan, is paying a visit today.