Scott Crabbe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 17/00) - What's tilted at 45, served at eight and topped off at three-quarters? Some would say pure perfection.

Concocted and first mixed in 1759 by Arthur Guinness, this stout that sticks to your ribs has been satisfying the most prestigious of thirsts ever since.

"A pub in Calgary serves it up three different ways," said Willie Elder, co-owner of the Black Knight Pub.

"There's the authentic way, the European way and the American way."

The Black Knight is one of a handful of Yellowknife pubs that serves up a perfect pint of Irish pride.

With the pint glass tilted at 45 degrees, the black and tan runs from the tap. Once it's reached three-quarters full, the glass is set aside, allowing the liquid to settle. It is then topped off with a creamy off-white head.

"People can be extremely particular about that head," Elder said.

When the liquid is sipped, it leaves a residue on the side of the glass known simply as a ring. A person's notability can be determined by the number of rings left on an empty glass. An Irishman will leave five to six rings, an Englishman will leave eight to 10, an American will leave 17-20 and an Australian will leave ... none, (they tend to pace themselves).

Surprising though, 'Knifers tend to be quite subdued after they've got a couple of pints in them.

"People tend to be relaxed, like they've just finished a meal." Elder said.

The mileage behind a Northern keg of Guinness begins in Dublin, Ireland. From there it is shipped across the "pond" (the Atlantic Ocean) and eventually arrives in Montreal.

"People want the real thing," said Guinness' Canada general manager Michael Brodica.

"Bringing it in from St. James adds to the authenticity of the product."

From Montreal the kegs cross the prairie spine, by way of a freight train, and arrive at the doors of Calgary's Big Rock Brewery. From there they are trucked to Edmonton, then up to Hay River and finally through to Yellowknife's liquor warehouse. Then it's up to the individual bars, pubs and taverns to bring them in.

The final trip from tap to glass to gut is up to those who appreciate the finer points mileage brings. So in the spirit of perfection remember, there may be 364 practice days, but there's only one St. Paddy's day.

Cheers!