Guinness St. Patrick's Day 2013 Launch

Wow. Time flies. It's March already and it means one thing. St. Patrick's Day is back! And Guinness Malaysia is the expert when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick's Day in style.

I was invited to Guinness St. Patrick's Day 2013 celebration launch in Havana, Changkat Bukit Bintang last week. At the event, Mr. Thum Chee Yuen, Sales Director of Guinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) shared the highlights to this year’s celebration, “GUINNESS has always been synonymous with the St Patrick’s Day. Here in Malaysia, it is no different. In fact, GUINNESS Malaysia was the host of the biggest St Patrick’s Party in Asia last year. This year, we are taking the festivities up a notch by adding a new spin to the celebration.”

“GUINNESS fans in Malaysia can look forward to being part of the country’s biggest GUINNESS St Patrick’s Pub Crawl! This unique experience will have fans and friends of the black brew on a trip of a lifetime,” Thum added.

Thum was quick to point out that only 200 odd lucky fans and friends of GUINNESS will get a chance to be part of the largest GUINNESS pub crawl in Malaysia. These selected participants will receive a special St Patrick’s kit consisting of 2 free pints of GUINNESS® and an exclusive GUINNESS® St. Patrick’s Pub crawl T-Shirt. They will also qualify to be part of the St. Paddy’s Hunt. During the journey, it will so March fun as the St Patty’s crawlers will be entertained by some of Malaysia’s most renowned comedians adding good humour to the trip.

I had the opportunity to be one of the few first one to have a taste of what's the pub crawl is like. Basically we just hop on the Guinness St. Patrick's Day Double Decker with a group of entertainers.

While the bus tour around the pub areas in the Golden Triangle guests will have fun being entertained by magicians, clowns and Drink Sensibly Angels. If memory serves me correctly, we departed from Changkat Bukit Bintang, passed Jalan Alor and into Jalan Bukit Bintang up to Jalan Pudu. The bus then make a turn into Jalan Imbi and then turn into Jalan Sultan Ismail passing Sg. Wang. It's quite fun when people on the street see the Double Decker and wave at us. Moving along Jalan Sultan Ismail, the bus drove up to Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur and make a left turn into Jalan Doraisamy. Frequent clubbers will know that there are a few night spots along this road.

The bus then moved to Jalan Dang Wangi and into Jalan Ampang and turn right back into Jalan Sultan Ismail. Thinking that the bus will make its way back to Havana but it make a left turn into Jalan P. Ramlee instead passing by Beach Club. The bus then turn into Jalan Kia Peng making its way to Jalan Raja Chulan and turn back into Jalan Sultan Ismail. At the cross road it turned left into Jalan P. Ramlee and then left again into Jalan Raja Chulan and finally made it back to Changkat Bukit Bintang through Lorong Ceylon.

Here's a video of what it's like on the Double Decker:

To help GUINNESS fans and friends Drink Sensibly during the St Patrick’s biggest pub crawl, “Drink Sensibly Angels” will be at hand to provide water bottles and food during the journey, and to share tips on how to party safely.
There are several ways for fans and friends of Guinness to gain a chance at being part of the biggest GUINNES St Patrick’s Pub Crawl, they may either:

1) Join www.facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia to win exclusive pub crawl tickets by participating in our ‘Spot the Reveler Contest’! More than 200 tickets are up for grabs and more than 800 prizes including Limited edition Guinness Merchandise to be won daily!

2) Visit www.tokl.com.my OR www.expatriatlifestyle.com.my.

True to the theme of ‘March More Fun’, GUINNESS has also planned about 70 St Paddy’s parties throughout Peninsula and East Malaysia, unbelievable promotions on your favourite black brew, GUINNESS® as well as the GUINNESS® St. Patrick’s Big Weekend Bash which will take place citywide right here in the Klang Valley from the 15th till the 17th of March 2013!
So don’t miss out on all the fun and get ready to be part of the most exciting St. Patrick’s Experience with GUINNESS®!

GUINNESS ‘March More Fun’ Promotions
About 1,000 outlets nationwide will have special promotions on your favourite black brew! With every purchase of 6 half pint or 4 full pint of GUINNESS® Draught, or a bucket of GUINNESS® stout, entitles consumers to a limited edition GUINNESS® St. Patrick’s plush pillow. There are 4 fun designs up for grabs with each design revealed weekly. On top of that, come join us on for some St Patrick’s fun on Thursday and get our Thursday Specials! Guinness will be giving away 1 free pint of Guinness with every purchase of the Guinness St Patrick’s promotion in participating outlets throughout March!

To find out how you can have ‘March more fun’, connect with us on www.facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia for more information and join us at a GUINNESS® St. Patrick’s celebration near you!

Arthur's Day Celebration at Beer Factory

This year's Guinness Arthur's Day was celebrated in 3 different venues. Namely Souled Out, Laundry Bar and The Beer Factory. Each venue will have different singer. Since I wanted to see Justin Lo, so I chose to come to The Beer Factory in Sunway Giza.

I first bumped into Clover who was working part-time there.

After a while Chutipond was here too.

The first band on the stage.

Then one of my favourite band from the 6 bands they have, "Once Upon A Time There Was A Sausage Named Bob" continued to rock da house down.

In between break, I went to Arthur's Lounge to buy a Guinness duck beak cap and two Guinness chocolate bar.

Will Ng was up after "Once Upon A Time There Was A Sausage Named Bob". His singing was okay only.

Got the chance to take picture with the MC of the night. The gorgeous Stephinie Tan.

Finally, at 11.30 pm, Justin Lo went up on the stage. Started with a fast song of "决战二世祖"

He sang few songs until 12 midnight, and it's time to countdown for Arthur's Day one by one live in the three outlets.

To Arthur! And the party continued with almost endless flow of Guinness Draught.

Arthur's Day is back with "A celebration Made of More"

About 2 weeks ago I was at the launching of Guinness Arthur's Day. This year's theme is "A celebration Made of More". The launching took place in Studio Lounge, Tropicana City Mall. I started off by pouring my own perfect pint of Guinness Draught.

Look mom, I poured my own Guinness.

What I love about launching event like this is I get to socialize with my blogger friends in real life instead of only doing it through social networking like Facebook or Twitter.

Dine with Annna

Mynn Lee

Naomi

The launch starts with emcee of the night, Serena C doing the opening and introduction.

Globally renowned Asian music superstar Justin Lo from Hong Kong, Nidji from Indonesia, our very own Malaysian Jazz & R&B superstar, Ning Baizura will take centre stage at this year’s celebrations. Sam Ayton, Acting Director of British Council, Malaysia & Yap Swee Leng, Marketing Director of GAB launched the Arthur Guinness Fund™.

And I continued to chamwore, I meant #takepicha.

Esther and Jessica at the back

Then it's time for the bands to perform. Start off with

Underheadlights.

Then comes Car Crash Hearts.

3rd in the list is a band named "Once Upon A Time There Was A Sausage Named Bob".

The lead singer of "Once Upon A Time There Was A Sausage Named Bob"

I only managed to stay after 3 out of the 6 bands performed. If you wants to see the other 3 bands, namely Rapcore band Rhythm Nation, SonaOne, and Busco. Then you can go to the venue on the specific date listed below. After each band performed, the Guinness ambassador will come over with an iPad and ask whether you wants to vote for the band. The more vote the band got, the higher chances they'll be selected to perform in Arthur's Day concert.

Be sure to show your support for our local bands as they battle it out at our arThursday Music Parties at the following venues:-

Bulldog Pub, Sri Hartamas 30th August 2012
32 Bistro, Puchong 6th September 2012
Malones, Sooka Sentral 13th September 2012
Sid’s Pub, TTDI 16th September 2012
Dirty Nelly’s, KL Live 21st September 2012
Backyard Pub, Sri Hartamas 27th September 2012
Beer Factory, Sunway Giza 28th September 2012
SOULed OUT, Sri Hartamas 28th September 2012
Laundry, The Curve 28th September 2012

So be sure to make your way down to an Arthur's Day™ celebration near you to raise a pint of GUINNESS® together and enjoy special discounts on GUINNESS® throughout the month!

For more information on GUINNESS® Arthur's Day™, do connect with them at www.facbook.com/Guinnessmalaysia.

We Made It - Guinness World Record

Yupe. I pledged on The Friendliest Day of the Year online. To verify that the 17th March 2012 was officially ‘The Friendliest Day of the Year’, Guinness World Record has spent the past 12 hours painstakingly counting the number of online pledges and the number of people who attended the St Patrick’s celebrations around the world for two GWR titles – the Most pledges received for a campaign and the Largest St Patrick’s Day celebration worldwide.

With a staggering 435,456 people joining the campaign around the world in the spirit of friendliness, GWR has confirmed two new Guinness World Records have been set, making St Patrick’s Day officially the world's ‘Friendliest Day of the Year’.

Not only did I pledged, I also celebrate together in the Largest St Patrick's Day celebration worldwide. I reached Changkat Bukit Bintang at around 6.30 p.m. where's the celebration for Malaysia will be held.

Everyone was ready for the celebration. Not long after I registered at the media area, I was brought to the Arthur Longue with other media to try to pour our own two-part Guinness Draught.

Not only that, we got to get our name engraved on a Guinness glass. Just happen Susan was working part-time as one of the engraver.

Blamed it on my bad writing that my Seow was spelled Seon lol.

It's back to the media area again for free flow of Guinness Draught and good food.

I'm dressed to the occasion.

Hmm...Ngeline didn't approve me on Facebook =(

It's a street party.

At about 9.45 p.m. it's time to launch the Friendliest Day of the Year. VIPs rode in on Harley's from the start of the street till the stage.

While I was following the entourage, I bumped into Sasha. Haven't seen her for a while already. Such a pleasant surprise.

We then walked to the stage together and then it's launched. Fireworks was then shot up. Here's a video of how's the atmosphere was like.

Everyone cheers to The Friendliest Day of the Year!!

We of course took the opportunity to take pictures with some of the characters.

Before I went home, I stopped by the Comedy Club and had a good laugh off jokes from our local comedian Dr. Jason (he's a real medical doctor by the way) and all the way from India, Papa CJ.

Thank you Guinness for a fun filled night. Hopefully next year's St. Patrick's Day will be even bigger and friendlier.

GUINNESS® St Patrick’s Celebration

It's March! Time flies. It's time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day again. Which means it's time to drink Guinness if you haven't drink any yet.

There will be a lot of activity around St. Patrick's Day this month.

Central to the theme of this year’s celebrations – ‘Celebrate the laughter side of life’, GUINNESS® will be hosting a weekend of St Patrick’s fun at Changkat Bukit Bintang starting on the 16th of March 2012! From 6pm till 12am, Changkat Bukit Bintang will showcase the ‘laughter side of life’ with our fun loving buskers, entertaining games and hilarious comedy tours by some of the most hysterically funny people in the local stand-up comedy scene. Bring your mates and laugh your hats off at Havana Bar & Grill, The Social and Raggae Bar.

On the 17th March 2012, the much anticipated GUINNESS® St. Patrick’s Street Party at Changkat Bukit Bintang will be making a welcomed comeback! The streets of Changkat Bukit Bintang will be transformed into an iconic St Patrick’s street party from 6pm till late! Grab your mates and head on down to the party and drop by at our ‘Comedy Court’ to watch hilarious performances by some of the funniest people in the region.
Besides that, GUINNESS® is also rallying hundreds and thousands of friends and fans from Malaysia and around the world to help make this year’s St Patrick’s the biggest, best and most enjoyable St. Patrick’s celebration. GUINNESS® is attempting to set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the ‘Friendliest Day of the Year’ by getting 1 million people worldwide to pledge online at www.facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia and www.stpatricks.com.my.
This year, GUINNESS® will also be spreading the fun and laughter of St Patrick’s with its iconic GUINNESS® St Patrick’s parties in Ipoh, Penang, Melaka, Johor, Pahang and East Malaysia! Come

I've already pledged my name for the 'Friendliest Day of the Year'. Go pledge yours now.

Join in for a night filled with fun, laughter, friends and that unbeatable GUINNESS® St Patrick’s experience at:
1. O’s Corner, Kuantan 3rd March 2012
2. Upper Penang Road, Penang 10th March 2012
3. Mount Austin, Johor Bharu 23rd March 2012
4. Ipoh Garden East, Ipoh 24th March 2012
5. Jonker Street, Melaka 31st March 2012
GUINNESS® will also be hosting 13 GUINNESS® St Patrick’s parties throughout the Klang Valley. Be prepared to laugh your hats off with our entertaining hosts, thrilling games and fun loving St Patrick’s buskers who will certainly spread the St. Patrick’s cheer. So gather your friends and come join us at:
1. Beer Factory, Sunway Giza 2nd March 2012
2. Jarrod & Rawlins, Damanasara Heights 8th March 2012
3. Malones, KL Sentral 8th March 2012
4. Royal Oak, Solaris Mont Kiara 9th March 2012
5. Sid’s Pub, Damansara Heights 10th March 2012
6. Delaney’s, Bukit Bintang 15th March 2012
7. SOULed OUT, Sri Hartamas 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th March 2012
8. Bulldog, Sri Hartamas 16th March 2012
9. The Social, Bangsar 22nd March 2012
10. Backyard, Sri Hartamas 29th March 2012

You might bump into me in one of these parties. Come say hi. =P

But wait…There’s more! The fun stretches throughout the month of March, with special promotions on your favourite black brew in more than 2000 GUINNESS® outlets nationwide. With every purchase of 4 glasses of GUINNESS® Draught or a bucket of GUINNESS® Foreign Extra Stout, consumers are entitled to a limited edition GUINNESS® St Patrick’s miniature glass. On top of that, limited edition GUINNESS® St Patrick’s T-Shirts will be available every Thursday from 8th March till 31st March 2012 for just an additional RM10 in 178 selected outlets! There are 4 fun designs up for grabs which will be revealed weekly.
To find out how to have so ‘March’ fun with GUINNESS® this St Patrick’s, hop on over to www.facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia for more information.

LET THE FUN BEGIN!!

Merry Guinness with Masterchef Adam Liaw

I've been lagging in my blog post. Sorry. Two weeks ago, I was invited to a food tasting session where Guinness invited Masterchef Australia, Adam Liaw to show us his Guinness infused menu for this upcoming Christmas Guinness promotion.

I'm one happy man already.

I'm a happier man now.

It's more fun to share food with fellow foodies. Chris, Christine, Ai Wei and Wilson.

正所谓“吃色性也”。美女和酒当然不可分开。 =)

美女没有人会嫌多吧？ =P


After about an hour of drinking and mingling. It's time to start the event. 好了！开Show啦！

Looks like there will be cooking demonstration on the spot.

The man himself. MasterChef Australia, Adam Liaw.

Cooking up some lamb shank in stock that had Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.

I thought we're going to eat the lamb shank like what we normally do, the whole thing. Turn out Masterchef has something up his sleeve. The sliced lamb meat soaked up the stock nicely and has a strong Guinness present to it. You'll love it if you like Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. Pair it with some smooth champ. Yums.

Open GUINNESS® Lamb Shank and Mushroom Pie with Champ Fine

Actually, we started with this. I must say, I like the Guinness mustard very much.

Farmhouse Terrine with GUINNESS® Mustard

At first, I thought the Guinness cream will be sourish. How wrong I was, the cream tasted very mild and it enhanced the natural sea taste of the oyster instead of covering the oyster taste.

Oysters with GUINNESS® Cream

Guinness butter anyone? Yes, infused Guinness Foreign Extra Stout with butter and marinate the chicken with it. Voila. Tenderlicious roasted chicken but yet the taste is not overwhelming.

Roasted Chicken with GUINNESS® Butter

That day was the first time I heard of and tried Guinness infused salt. I didn't we can do that. Crispy, a tinge of spiciness and Guinness savoury. It's a very nice snack to go with a Guinness Draught.

Crispy Squid with GUINNESS® and Chili Salt

Actually, there are also food that is part of the Guinness menu but not designed by Adam Liaw but it's too many to post all here. If you want to find out more about the Guiness infused menu, click here.

Of course, what is a feast without dessert? I love these GUINNESS® and Fruit Christmas Puddings. Who whole have thought that Guinness can be used to make puddings?

GUINNESS® and Fruit Christmas Puddings

I like the combination but I found the damper is a bit too hard to my liking. Maybe I should soak it more with the ice-cream.

Sweet GUINNESS® Damper with Maple and Blackberry Compote

Ah, it's a wonderful feast. Are you interested to have a taste of the Guinness infused menu inspired by Mastercef Adam Liaw? Then you're in luck.

GUINNESS® will be throwing Merry GUINNESS® Christmas parties that will feature a culinary feast which will include MasterChef Adam’s special Christmas dishes throughout the month of December.

The Merry GUINNESS® Christmas parties will be held at:-

1. El Meson Spanish Restaurant & Tapas Bar, 13th December 2011
2. Jarrod & Rawlins, AMPWALK, Ampang, 15th December 2011
3. Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar, Bangsar, 17th December 2011
4. Market Hall, Pavillion, 21st December 2011
5. Souled Out, Ampang, 24th December 2011

Not to forget the Merry GUINNESS® Christmas Promotions

2000 outlets nationwide are participating in the event with 85 outlets featuring selected GUINNESS®-infused recipes from MasterChef Adam’s Christmas menu.

Every purchase MasterChef Adam’s delectable cuisine at a participating outlet will entitle consumers to a pint of GUINNESS at a special festive discount of 50%.

Consumers will also receive a limited edition stainless steel money clip when you purchase 6 pints or 1 bucket of GUINNESS at participating outlets nationwide. A perfect addition to your Christmas stockings this festive season!