Guinness fans are only just realising correct way to ‘split the G’
With St Patrick’s Day just around the corner (March 17), it’s estimated a whopping 13 million of pints of Guinness will be drunk all over the world.
And for those who will drink a pint of the iconic stout in honour of Ireland’s saint, Saint Patrick, you might be thinking of taking part in the Guinness Challenge. However, before you waste your pint, you might want to agree on which version of the rules you’ll be playing by – because it’s something not everyone agrees on.
In a nutshell, the Guinness Challenge involves drinking the pint until you think the line of liquid has reached down to the correct spot. One you think you’ve got it, without pausing to look, you stop drinking, and then find out how you did. The trend started in the pubs of Ireland many years ago, but it’s recently exploded over social media, where many have taken part in the challenge – from the Jonas Brothers to John Cena.
But people can’t actually agree on where the right spot to finish drinking is.
One person took to X to share a picture of his pint, where the line stopped just after the iconic harp logo. He wrote: “Kinda crushed the Guinness Challenge. And don’t tell me about how you do your Guinness Challenge. This Guinness Challenge is better.”
However, someone else wrote: “If you don’t split the G you lose,” and another agreed, adding: “Nah split the G!”
Elsewhere, someone else asked: “My Irish friends, can anyone confirm the Guinness Challenge? Need to settle an argument Split the G or Under the harp and above the G?”. Another person wrote: “Never heard of splitting the G, always known splitting it between the harp and G” but another said: “Never heard anything as pathetic in my life. Split the G. Grow. F*****g. Up.”
Luckily, Jonathan Sitson, Whipped Cream Expert at Quick Whip has settled the debate after receiving written confirmation from Guinness owners, Diageo, that “the only correct way to Split the G would be when your first uninterrupted sip lines up with the line on the G and E”.
Jonathan Sitson also shared a step-by-step guide on how to master the perfect G split. “Start with a properly chilled pint in a clean, tilted glass, then take a deliberate, uninterrupted gulp, aiming to precisely align the foam’s edge with the horizontal line of the G and the E.
“Maintain a steady pace to achieve a clean and even split. Practice makes perfect, so if you fail, don’t worry. It’s just an excuse to get yourself another lovely creamy pint and try again! But always make sure you drink responsibly, or try a Guinness 0.0.”
If you’re concerned that you or someone you care about has a drinking problem, there is help available. Drinkline is a free, confidental helpline for anyone who is concerned about their drinking, or someone else’s. Call 0300 123 110 (weekdays 9am-8pm, weekends 11am-4pm). If you’re in Scotland, the number is 0800 7314 314.
