Where it Began
This didn’t start as a book. It started with a feeling.
Latest
St. Stephen’s Day in Ireland: A Celebration of Community and Tradition and Guinness Legacy
St. Stephen’s Day, known in Irish as Lá Fhéile Stiofáin, holds a special place in the Irish calendar. Nestled between the intimate celebrations of Christmas Day and the wider festivities that follow, it marks a shift from family-focused warmth to a day of community connection and shared tradition. The
A Holiday Message Just for You
As 2025 winds to its close a warm wish for the happiest of Holiday Season‘s to you. I created a special message on YouTube to say thanks!
What I'm Working on Now
Pints and Power is a journey and work continues on the manuscript and other companion content. Here's an update on things getting attention as we head towards 2026.
The Ultimate Guinness Gift Guide: Holiday Gifts for Guinness Lovers
Searching for Guinness gifts? Explore our 2025 holiday gift guide featuring unique Guinness-inspired finds on Amazon & Pinterest—perfect for fans, collectors, and beer lovers! Why Choose a Guinness Gift? Guinness isn’t just a drink—it’s a tradition, a story, and a community. The right gift can bring
The Guinness Mustache: A Toast to the Original Badge of Honor
The pour is only the beginning. The drinking of it completes the ritual: biting through the foam, earning the mustache, and settling into the quiet moment a proper pint creates. This is where the pint stops being performance and becomes connection.
Sláinte to Gratitude: 10 Things I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving
Hey friends, Here in the US, today is Thanksgiving and I find myself reflecting on the wild ride that’s been Pints and Power, and my Irish journey so far. Between pints, stories, and a few unexpected adventures, there’s plenty to be grateful for — and I wanted to share
Lifting the Roof: Irish Pub Anthems, Big Nights Out, and Love Songs to Your Local
Irish pub music is not just one volume. In Part 3 of our Irish Pub Music and Community series, we turn things up with anthems, bus trips, and modern love songs to your local that help turn a good pub into a crowd with a shared history.
When the Pub Falls Silent: Irish Pub Music, Rebel Songs, and the Power of Listening
Irish pub music is often thought of as loud and roaring, but some of the most powerful moments are the quiet ones. Part 2 of our “Irish Pub Music and Community” series dives into rebel songs, seisiúns, and the nights when a pub falls silent to really listen.
Irish Pub Music and Community: Why the Songs Matter as Much as the Guinness
When people talk about Irish pubs, they usually start with the pint. The perfect pour. The two-part ritual. The patience while the Guinness settles. We obsess over the glass, the head, the first sip. And sure, the pint matters. It’s the key that unlocks the door. But if Guinness
Guinness and the Power of Advertising: Building an Irish Icon
How Guinness advertising has become a very part of Irish Culture
Blasphemy or Belonging: The Art (and Controversy) of Mixing Guinness
Explore the tradition, controversy, and creativity behind mixed Guinness drinks — from Black and Tans to Black Velvets — and what they reveal about Irish pub culture, ritual, and belonging.
Author Reflections
Unveiling the Scottish Roots Behind Pints and Power
Blending the bold legacy of Guinness with the proud heritage of Clan Mackay, this banner unites two traditions—one Irish, one Scottish—at the heart of Pints and Power. From the harp to the upraised sword, it’s a visual toast to the rituals, resilience, and stories that shape us. Slàinte mhath!
Pints and Power Pumpkin Carving Stencil Pack – Now Available for Download!
We’re excited to bring you Pints and Power Pumpkin Carving Stencil Pack, a free printable download that brings a touch of Irish pub culture right to your doorstep—or your doorstep pumpkins.
Author Reflections
Our Gougane Barra Wedding: A Father’s Reflection on Resilience, Family, and Irish Spirit
I'm the Dad, discover how the Gougane Barra wedding survived Storm Amy. A heartfelt family story of Irish resilience, love, and unforgettable moments in West Cork.
Behind the Book
Visiting the Guinness Archives in Dublin
While in Ireland awaiting the wedding that spawned Pints and Power we had the opportunity to spend a few hours digging deep into the Archives at the Guinness Storehouse. Here's the story about the visit.
When in Cork...
Sampling stouts in Cork means choosing between local legends— Beamish, Murphy’s, or a classic pint of Guinness. Here’s how each pint stacked up.
Guinness Family
House of Guinness: First Episode. First Impressions.
The long-awaited Netflix historical drama about the Guinness family has launched. Here are thoughts after watching the first episode.
Going for "One" (And Other Beautiful Lies)
“Just one” before Ireland. You know how that ends.
pub culture
In Defense of the Coaster: Guinness, Irish Pubs, and the Art of the Beermat
A tongue‑in‑cheek ode to the Irish pub’s unsung hero—the Guinness beermat." History, materials, design, etiquette, and why coaster collecting matters.
Book Drop
First Pour Early Release: Now Available for Purchase Online
The First Pour Early Release is live and available to purchase. 168 pages of history, memoir, and Guinness culture—the same edition from launch night. From Worcester to Waterford, this is a book about belonging and the ritual of a proper pint. Order using Amazon store links.
Author Reflections
Home Away from Home: Sending Our Daughter Back to Ireland
It’s been a week of last hugs, packed bags, and bittersweet goodbyes. As our daughter returns to Ireland, I reflect on what it means to find home—sometimes in new places, always in the people and rituals we love.
guinness
Raise Your Glass: 10 Powerful Ways Guinness Pours Heart and History into the Modern Irish Imagination
Discover how Guinness shapes modern Irish identity, from pub rituals and glass design to music, history, and belonging. Explore 10 inspiring ways the black pint pours heart and tradition into every glass.
Guinness Family
Netflix Releases Official Trailer for "House of Guinness"
Viewers are getting very excited about the upcoming grand adventure from Netflix and "Peaky Blinders" creator Stephen Knight.
