Listen "11 June 2024 - Ali Dunworth"
Episode Synopsis
Food/drink/travel writer and curator Ali Dunworth is no stranger to the Best Possible Taste.
In this interview, Ali gives an insight into her first book “A Compendium of Irish Pints: The Culture, Customs and Craic” which is published by Nine Bean Rows Books with illustrations by Stephen Heffernan AKA Hephee.
In Ireland, a pint – having one, going for one, buying one – is a cultural institution. It’s so much more than 568ml of beer in a glass. But how did a simple pint become such a phenomenon? Like all great superheroes, the pint has its own origin story, a full-bodied narrative that explains how the beloved beverage came into being and part of everyday life.
In A Compendium of Irish Pints, journalist (and pint lover) Ali Dunworth delves into the culture, customs and craic surrounding pints in Ireland. Beginning with the birth of beer and traversing through Ireland’s unique drinking journey from the Brehon Laws to invasions, Ali shares why ‘going for a pint’ means so much more than just going for a pint. From the ubiquitous airport and after-work pints to the importance of beer mats, seeking out pints in snugs, discussing hangovers or eating crisps for dinner, Ali leaves no type of pint unturned (or undrunk!). Covering etiquette to expressions, pints for celebrations and pints for commiserations, festival pints, old man’s pubs and everything in between, A Compendium of Irish Pints shows why this popular beverage is integral to Irish society and why it has been migrating further afield.
With illustrations by Stephen Heffernan, aka Hephee, that perfectly captures the culture of pints in his iconic style, you’ll find yourself working up a thirst and sending that text we all love to get: ‘Fancy a pint?’
Ali's book is available to buy at the following link:
https://ninebeanrowsbooks.com/products/pints
In this interview, Ali gives an insight into her first book “A Compendium of Irish Pints: The Culture, Customs and Craic” which is published by Nine Bean Rows Books with illustrations by Stephen Heffernan AKA Hephee.
In Ireland, a pint – having one, going for one, buying one – is a cultural institution. It’s so much more than 568ml of beer in a glass. But how did a simple pint become such a phenomenon? Like all great superheroes, the pint has its own origin story, a full-bodied narrative that explains how the beloved beverage came into being and part of everyday life.
In A Compendium of Irish Pints, journalist (and pint lover) Ali Dunworth delves into the culture, customs and craic surrounding pints in Ireland. Beginning with the birth of beer and traversing through Ireland’s unique drinking journey from the Brehon Laws to invasions, Ali shares why ‘going for a pint’ means so much more than just going for a pint. From the ubiquitous airport and after-work pints to the importance of beer mats, seeking out pints in snugs, discussing hangovers or eating crisps for dinner, Ali leaves no type of pint unturned (or undrunk!). Covering etiquette to expressions, pints for celebrations and pints for commiserations, festival pints, old man’s pubs and everything in between, A Compendium of Irish Pints shows why this popular beverage is integral to Irish society and why it has been migrating further afield.
With illustrations by Stephen Heffernan, aka Hephee, that perfectly captures the culture of pints in his iconic style, you’ll find yourself working up a thirst and sending that text we all love to get: ‘Fancy a pint?’
Ali's book is available to buy at the following link:
https://ninebeanrowsbooks.com/products/pints
More episodes of the podcast Best Possible Taste with Sharon Noonan
22 December 2025 - Neil Saad
22/12/2025
15 December 2025 - Chef Tom Comerford
15/12/2025
8 December 2025 - Michelle Maguire
08/12/2025
1 December 2025 - Eunice Power
01/12/2025
24 November 2025 - Damien Heary
24/11/2025
17 November 2025 - Suzie Lee
17/11/2025
10 November 2025 - Ian O'Rourke
10/11/2025
3 November 2025 - Ella Ryan
03/11/2025
27 October 2025 - Aine Faughnan
27/10/2025
20 October 2025 - Charlotte Pike
20/10/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.