Pub Auctions 10,000th Guinness Pint for $1K on St. Patrick's Day

When the 10,000th pint of Guinness reached the bar at Smithfield's Fiddlin' Pig pub on St. Patrick's Day, the packed room erupted into a charity auction that raised $1,000 for families of fallen first responders.

David and Michelle Goodman opened their Main Street pub in August 2024 with an electronic counter tracking every Guinness pint sold. As the number climbed past 7,000, regular customers started asking what would happen when it hit the milestone.

The Goodmans decided to auction the special pint for charity. Customers tried guessing when the 10,000th pour would happen, hoping to be there for the moment.

David Goodman kept predicting it would land near St. Patrick's Day. At 7 p.m. on March 17, with the pub filled with celebration, the counter hit exactly 10,000.

The auction kicked off immediately. Regular customers jumped in with bids as the crowd cheered louder with each increase.

Kenneth Teachey sealed the win with a memorable line: "Everyone here agrees that this is a 'grand' pub. And so, I therefore bid one grand." The room erupted when the gavel dropped.

Teachey chose the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to receive the donation. The nonprofit provides mortgage-free homes to families of fallen first responders and Gold Star families, honoring firefighter Stephen Siller who died rescuing survivors during the September 11 attacks.

The Ripple Effect

The Fiddlin' Pig's fundraiser shows how small businesses can anchor their communities through simple acts of generosity. By tracking something as ordinary as pint sales, the Goodmans created anticipation that brought neighbors together for a shared purpose.

The pub's regulars now know Teachey as "Handsome Ken" after his winning bid. Michelle Goodman will coordinate the donation in his name on behalf of the pub.

"A big part of being the local pub means being a big part of the community as a whole," Michelle Goodman said. "This fundraiser was so much fun, and having this happen on St. Patrick's Day was just perfect timing."

One milestone, one pint, and one community coming together proves that good news can pour from the most unexpected places.