Guinness No Longer for the Young

DUBLIN, March 14 (Reuters) - How about a glass of wine to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in Dublin?

That might not sit well on the stomach of many residents of Ireland's capital this Saturday as they mark the year's biggest party with copious quantities of Guinness, the rich, dark beer with a creamy head that is the national drink.

But the cliche of the Irish pub filled with Guinness drinkers is giving way to a different picture as new wealth, new opportunities and immigration transform tastes and drinking habits in one of Europe's fastest growing economies.

Alongside the decline of Guinness is an increasing appetite for wine, spirits, cider and imported beer.

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"Without a doubt, a lot of our Guinness drinkers are older people," said Mackin.
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full story at http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070313/wl_nm/guinness_ireland_dc;_ylt=Aol5NnCP2JlYPj6Z3A3rrKZvaA8F