From the "Why didn't they think of this first?" Department

[digitaldiscipline]

Spurred by a conversation about ill-concieved libationary concoctions, I was given to wonder, "With so many fucking potatoes, why aren't there any Irish vodkas?"

Turns out, there are four.

Comments

[geekers.livejournal.com]

"What are you... new?" ^_~

Irish Vodka

[ashesngolddust.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I'd be amused to try any one of them. But even if they suck, there is always Guinness... mmmmmmmmm Guinnesss....

[selkiesiren.livejournal.com]

The reason there aren't more Irish Vodkas is because the potato is actually a rather recent immigrant to the Irish soil. The potato was an import from the new world, and then, nearly immediately, became the most relied upon food source on the Island. When the blight hit (the great potato famine), it was devastating.

But, I digress...

The reality is, the Irish are a very "traditional" people. Change somes slowly. And, the Public Houses (Pubs) there are probably *the* most traditional establishment left on the Island outside of the Church itself (and I would not at all be surprised to find the progenitor of the Public House predates the arrival of the Church in Ireland). Combine the two elements, (near tribalistic pride and a love of their national pasttime...the Pub), and you'll see things like no Guinness plant off of Irish soil, and bar room brawls over *which* Irish Whiskey is the best.

Or, in other words, the Irish take their alcohol *and* their cultural pride very seriously.

Selkie "Toorah Loorah" Siren