From the WaPo:
Ireland’s leader was in Washington for a series of events in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, including breakfast with the vice president, a luncheon at the U.S. Capitol, a one-on-one meeting with President Trump and a long-standing annual ceremony in which the U.S. president is presented with a bowl of shamrocks. ...
And as the day went on, the awkward and at times embarrassing Irish cultural references from Washington politicians were nearly as bountiful as their green neck ties. ...
But perhaps the most “appalling” moment of the day for some came as [House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.)] offered a toast, in honor of Ireland’s visit.
While addressing the luncheon, Ryan suddenly pulled out a pre-poured pint of Guinness beer from under the podium.
“To what our forefathers have started and our children will continue, may the light always shine upon them. Sláinte.”
The speaker may have used the correct word for the toast, but all Irish Guinness enthusiasts could focus on was that “despicable pint.” Anyone who has lived in or traveled to Ireland knows the law of the land: a dark, Irish beer should always be topped with a creamy, white, thick foam.
One person tweeted she would be “ashamed” to be seen holding that pint. It looked like a pint “you find in the smoking area at the end of the night, its owner stumbled home long ago,” said another.
The Irish news website the Journal summed it up this way: “Some questionable Guinness pouring going on in Washington by the looks of Paul D. Ryan’s pint.”
First Mike Pence says 'top of the morning', then Paul Ryan holds up this appalling pint, grave missteps by the US pic.twitter.com/U4ktqf0Aag
— Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) March 16, 2017
It's noon ...
