House Of Guinness: I Watched This Show About Ireland’s Iconic Beer, And Realised…

Pour yourself a pint of Guinness and the rich, dark body, smooth, creamy head, and well-known flavour that have made it a global favourite are probably all that you will think about. But have you ever thought about the surrounding legends, family, and history? House of Guinness, the latest series from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, dives into that very world. It’s a mix of fact and fiction, drama and history, and it’s surprisingly entertaining for both beer lovers and fans of power-dynasty shows.

The Story Behind House Of Guinness

The series is inspired by the real Guinness family and was created with input from descendant Ivana Lowell, according to the BBC. It brings together historical details with drama to tell the tale of the brewing dynasty in 19th-century Dublin. The show begins in 1868 with the funeral of Benjamin Lee Guinness, one of the family’s most powerful members. And what a funeral it is!

Bottles fly as evangelical Christians complain that the beer encouraged “sin” and “debauchery,” while Irish nationalists clash with British authorities. You see riots breaking out on screen, clearly revealing that running a brewery demands so much more than just making beer. For a dynasty as vast and influential as Guinness, it also involves dealing with politics, religion, social pressure, and family rivalries.

And who is Benjamin, though? Well, he was a successful businessman and a philanthropist who supported public projects like the renovation of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and helped thousands of Dubliners to find work. Naturally, the Guinness dynasty is severely shattered by his passing, spiralling drama amongst the Guinness family members, leaving them hopeful, confused, and ambitious about their futures.

The show revolves around his four children: Arthur Edward Guinness, the eldest son, full of ambition and pride; Edward Guinness, the youngest son, ambitious but cautious; Anne Lee Guinness, the only daughter, navigating a world dominated by men; and Captain Benjamin Guinness, the wild middle son who struggles with limitations.

The brewery is passed down to the siblings, but not equally. Instigating a series of events, the Benjamin’s will states that the daughter and middle son won’t get access to the brewery or the many other estates owned by the family. The eldest and youngest sons, on the other hand, were given it all to share and run amongst themselves. This sets off the rivalries, secrets, and plots that drive the series. It’s a bit like Succession, but with beer, politics, and 19th-century Irish history thrown into the mix.

Also Read: Aamir Khan’s Son, Azad, Bakes Coffee Chocolate Cake For Mom, Kiran Rao, On Her Birthday

A 19th-Century Saga Behind Every Pint

House of Guinness is inspired by real events, but it doesn’t stick strictly to history. The sibling rivalries, secret schemes, and twists are often dramatised. Think of it as Succession in 19th-century Dublin, with Guinness as the family fortune at stake. 

From a beer lover’s perspective, the show is fascinating. Every episode lets you dive deeper into every event that led to Guinness becoming a global icon. In 1759, Arthur Guinness paid £45 a year for 9,000 years to secure St. James’s Gate in Dublin. What started out as a venture of brewing ale later developed into a production of porter. Eventually, it evolved into the well-known stout we all know and love today.

Slow but steady, Benjamin Lee Guinness grew the brewery to become one of the biggest in Ireland, riding on profound success that most only dream of. However, this show is about shedding light on how brittle success can be, to the point where even a small scandal or a family dispute could have put an end to the Guinness story before it really got started.

The show is not only visually stunning but also tense. While period clothing, Dublin streets, and brewing scenes evoke a sense of place and time, the family drama keeps you engrossed. Some accents can be difficult to understand, so subtitles are a must. But once you settle in, the story translates perfectly.

The Verdict

So, who is this show for? It’s for anyone who loves binge-worthy dramas about family, power, and secrets. Fans of Peaky Blinders and Succession will feel right at home. It’s also for beer lovers who want to understand the legacy behind one of the world’s most famous stouts. No, the show doesn’t teach you how to brew a great pint of Irish goodness. Rather, it lets you in on what goes on behind it – the family, hardships, and secrets that kept Guinness alive for centuries.

House of Guinness is an engaging blend of history, drama, and beer.

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Harald Bischoff, Kudos Film and Television, and Stigma Films