Good things really do come to those who wait…
They say Guinness tastes better in Ireland.
Having now tested that theory personally, I can confirm it is true.
Rob and I recently travelled over to Ireland for a couple of days of meetings and partner visits. It would have been deeply disrespectful to the local culture if we hadn’t taken the opportunity to sample a pint or two whilst we were there, so naturally that’s what we did…
Our chosen venue for this important cultural exercise was The Bloody Stream in Howth, just outside of Dublin.
Prior to the trip, Rob had sent me a picture of Brad Pitt supposedly visiting the same pub and, for a brief moment, I genuinely believed it was real. Sadly, I later had to inform him that the image was in fact a very convincing piece of AI wizardry.
Whilst we didn’t run into any celebrities during our visit, we did enjoy a very nice meal and a pint of proper Irish Guinness.
I say “a pint” loosely because thanks to the charm and persuasive powers of the bartender, I somehow ended up sampling three different varieties over the course of the evening. Well, when in Ireland…
Being naturally curious, I felt obliged to investigate why Guinness genuinely does seem to taste better over there. As it turns out, there’s actual science behind it.
Firstly, the stout travels a much shorter distance from the famous St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, meaning it’s noticeably fresher, and pubs maintain the lines with near-religious dedication. Add in the famous two-part pour, the nitrogen-heavy mix that gives it that smoother, creamier finish, and the atmosphere of a proper Irish pub, and it’s easy to see why Guinness in the Emerald Isle has a much superior taste.
Contrary to how this article may read so far, Rob and I did spend most of the trip working as opposed to sampling the Guinness. Over the two days, we had some excellent meetings with our distributors discussing growth, opportunities and the evolving demands facing the security and retail sectors. One of the things I enjoy most about these trips is getting away from the computer and actually having in-person conversations with people.
From Dublin, we then drove north to Belfast to catch up with our partners at Elmwood Protection Services.
The more attentive among you may remember me saying that Trellidor UK has entered into a strategic partnership with Elmwood, a leading provider of fire, security, and access solutions. It was genuinely valuable to spend time with the team over there and hear more about the projects they are delivering and how we continue building something strong together.
Overall, it was a really worthwhile trip. Great conversations, great people, great weather, and yes, the Guinness wasn’t bad either!
The only thing that wasn’t quite so enjoyable was the extortionate fee we incurred for returning the hire car in Belfast rather than Dublin. But then I suppose the luck of the Irish can only carry you so far.
A little closer to home and this week the Trellidor team and I are beginning to turn our attention to Retail Risk – London, which takes place in just a few weeks’ time.
Without giving too much away, I’m particularly looking forward to being able to showcase an exciting new piece of tech. Watch this space…
And a quick tip from me to you: it might be wise to squeeze in a couple of extra sessions at the gym. We’ve got something special planned for the stand this year that could require slightly more physical effort than your average exhibition experience. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
With retailers continuing to see a sharp rise in targeted attacks on shutters, kiosks and distribution centres, I’ll also be hosting a round table discussion focused on how these attacks are evolving, the methods being used, and where traditional defences are increasingly falling short.
More importantly, I’ll be sharing practical ways retailers can strengthen their physical security to delay, deter and, in many cases, prevent entry altogether.
With any luck – Irish or otherwise – I’ll see you there!