The Sunday Digest 111
"Always in the dark, I'd ask you such silly things."
Welcome to The Sunday Digest — a free Sunday newsletter featuring long (and some short) reads, original columns, things I’ve saved over the last week, relaxing playlists, episodes releases, exclusive product drops, and more. Yes, you can reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you. Or, if podcasts are more your speed on Sundays, we’ve got that too.
Sunday Read › ‘Everybody Is Drinking Guinness.’ We Know Why.
by Luke Fortney for The New York Times
I was the annoying 18-year-old. When we finally found someone to buy us alcohol for the night, the usual suspects were on the shopping list: a 30-pack of something light, a bottle of flavored vodka, and a bottle of whiskey. Unfortunately, I always seemed to throw a thorn in the side of our buyer by specifically requesting a four-pack of Guinness. It gave off major Paul Finch vibes from American Pie.
Perhaps it was my affinity for Oasis or maybe it was my hesitation to drink anything too carbonated — but I was in the love with the stuff. And ever since, it’s been my beer of choice (when offered on tap). When they approached Sunday Scaries to do a partnership last year, I texted a friend, “My entire life has led me to this moment.”
Luckily, I’m not alone anymore and Guinness has taken over an entire generation. While I’d love to chalk it up to the pub scenes from Banshees of Inisherin, I think it has more to do with “splitting the G,” something I wasn’t allowed to allowed to promote during our partnership because it “promoted over consumption,” which I understand.
Fortunately, I don’t think Guinness minds that “game” existing at all. Here’s an excerpt:
“The numbers are completely bananas right now,” said Oran McGonagle, an owner of the Dubliner, a two-year-old pub in Boston. In 2023, his bar sold more Guinness than any other bar or restaurant in the city. And this year, the Dubliner’s purchasing volume of the stout is up 63 percent to meet rocketing demand.
Guinness’s stateside boom is a byproduct of a larger cultural moment, said Mr. McGonagle, who is from County Donegal, Ireland. In recent years, Irish cultural figures like the actor Paul Mescal and the author Sally Rooney have introduced Americans to a cooler version of Ireland. Guinness, which was hardly trendy when he lived there, is benefiting. “Irish culture is having a big resurgence,” he said. “We’re at the peak of where we’ve ever been.”
Read in full here.
The Sunday Haiku: The Tallest Sunday Task
Should we change the sheets?
I need help with the duvet—
let’s do it later.
New Episode › Retail Therapy 097: Beards and Guinness
A look at both Barrett and Will's Spotify Wrapped, Jacob Elordi's new beard and some "Babygirl of the Year" talk, Guinness's rise with splitting the G, potential Drink of the Winter nominees, wishlist items, and more.
Listen to Retail Therapy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube (see above), and anywhere else podcasts are found. And a reminder to follow Retail Therapy on Substack!
Things I Saved This Week
Next Week: The Sunday Scaries Zine, Volume 1
The photo above features the first draft print of the zine we’ll be releasing next week (as you can see from “outside front cover” scribbled across the photo). Earlier this year, my friend James brought this idea to me and I absolutely loved it.
This edition features seasonal photos from our travels over the last year, all taken with our film cameras. We’re so excited to release it when they arrive on Tuesday, so keep an eye out for an email next week where you can purchase.
The good news for you is that subscribers get first access to it, so make sure you’re on the list.
“How can I support Sunday Scaries?”
Listen to our Retail Therapy.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Subscribe to all Washed Media Podcasts.
Or, you can simply subscribe here:
Pumped for the magazine!
My son spent last Spring semester in Barcelona and yes, went with every other American student to Dublin for St Patrick's Day (doing the full cliche here). Came back all about "splitting the G', and checking where the Irish bars are in our city ;)
Also, we have had an uncovered duvet on our bed for over a week because we just keep putting it off until 'tomorrow'.