"Charles Gifford" wrote in message >
>
> Guinness unfiltered and unpasturized in the bottle is a well tried and
> true
> tonic for the elderly and sick. Guinness used to be prescribed by
> physicians
> in Ireland and England as a regular tonic. Unfortunately the unfiltered
> and
> unpasturized stout is not available outside Ireland. It is high in
> nutrients. The pub in the UK and Ireland has a much more important social
> impact than any analog in the US. Especially in Ireland where the village
> (or local) pub(s) is the center of local life from child care to senior
> care. It makes great sense and compassion to incorporate this bit of
> "real"
> life into the confines of a care facility.
>
> To Pandora, I once spent time in a local Catholic hospital. They too
> served
> me wine with my meals. It was very appreciated!
>
> Charlie

Did you see my post, Charlie, about Guinness in the hospital? Even as a
child, it seemed to make sense to me. Your comment about pub life is so
true - my parents were teetotallers but happily took a guest to a pub if
they felt he would enjoy it.

As Charlie says, they are such social places and I just can't think of their
counterpart in the US. Especially in the countryside, If you're a stranger
in town, the pub is the place to head!

Dora