Prime Pubs Celebrates Guinness 250th Anniversary by Engaging Local Beer Lovers in Memorable Story-Telling Contest
…debuts new authentic Irish menu as Guinness® Master Brewer Fergal Murray awards "Passport to Party" winner trip to Guinness 250 celebrations in Dublin…
Mississauga, ON - September 21, 2009 - Prime Pubs' "Passport to Party" contest, held in honour of Guinness' 250th anniversary concluded this weekend with the winner jetting off today to attend the anniversary celebrations in Ireland. Guinness Global Brewmaster Fergal Murray presented the grand prize winner with the trip of a lifetime – four days in Dublin, the spiritual home of Guinness, during the worldwide celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of Guinness.
"We saw the "Passport to Party" contest as a fantastic opportunity for us to partner with Guinness and to give one of Prime Pubs' loyal beer drinkers a truly memorable experience," says Grant Cobb, Senior Vice President of Prime Pubs. "We are delighted by the response we got from both participants in the contest and guests who came to watch the finals. It was a true Irish evening – a packed pub, pints of beer and memorable tales."
Fionn MacCool's Esplanade location in Toronto hosted the "Passport to Party" finals which featured 12 finalists – one from each regional Prime Pub - delivering their "memorable" story about Guinness. Contest rules specified the more memorable and entertaining the submission the greater the chance of winning and in true Irish story-telling tradition, participants in the "Passport to Party" contest did not need to let the facts get in the way of a good story.
In a competition that included a range of memorable stories from hilarious to very touching, Deborah McMillan from Burlington, ON was selected the grand winner by a judging panel composed of representatives from Prime Pubs and Diageo. McMillan shared a story about her 22-year-old son's love for Guinness and how he enjoyed climbing a mountain in Ireland with his siblings and toasting the view with Guinness as well as touring St. James Gate Brewery in Dublin and purchasing Guinness memorabilia. When McMillan's son passed away in November 2008 after an 11 month battle with a rare cancer, his family included a small vial of Guinness in his casket. Now they visit his grave regularly and toast all important occasions with Guinness – always pouring the last third of the pint on the ground for him so he can share it with them.
Fergal Murray presented the grand prize to McMillan. The Grand Prize includes a stay in one of Dublin's premier hotels, a behind-the-scenes tour of St. James Gate Brewery a $1,500 entertainment voucher and participation in Guinness 250th anniversary celebrations.
Prime Pubs used the "Passport to Party" finals as an opportunity to let guests sample appetizers from its new menu launching today in all locations. New appetizers include Guinness Poutine with Fresh Quebec Cheddar Curds, Yukon Gold Stuffed Potato Skins and Short Rib Flatbread. Guests were also invited to sample Smooth, Dark, Handsome – a delicious Guinness-based cocktail that is also featured on the new menu.
"We're very excited about our new menu, particularly following the positive feedback we received to the new appetizers during the "Passport to Party" event," says Cobb. "Our new menu features a variety of new dishes as well as a number of existing dishes that have been completely reworked." New dishes on Prime Pubs new menu include: Beef Curry, Smoked Chicken Fusili, Lamb Pie, Market Sandwich, Tandoori Salmon Sandwich, Chocolate Bread Pudding and Lemon Curd Tart.
About Prime Pubs
Prime Pubs is a family of 13 authentic Irish pubs operating under the trade-marks of Fionn MacCool's, D'Arcy McGee's, Paddy Flaherty's and Tir nan Óg. Prime Pubs serve traditional Irish fare made from authentic recipes that have been developed over generations as well as a selection of contemporary favourites. Interiors of Prime Pubs offer a warm and friendly environment and many pubs feature furnishings that have been imported directly from Ireland. For more information visit www.primepubs.com.
About Prime Restaurants of Canada Inc.
Prime Restaurants of Canada Inc. operates and franchises a diversified portfolio of leading brands of casual dining restaurants and premium pubs across Canada under such trademarks as: "East Side Mario's", "Casey's", "Fionn MacCool's", "D'Arcy McGee's", "Paddy Flaherty's", "Tir nan Óg", "Bier Markt" and "Pat & Mario's."
###
Media Contact:
Katherine Clark, Cowan & Company
416-462-8773 ext. 55 or
katherine.clark@cowanandcompany.net
