Before I say anything else, I am in love with this beer. Draft, pub-style cans, bottles - in any shape or form, it is exquisite. So this review might be skewed by that fact. Deal with it.
Okay, Guinness is by far the best of the mass-produced stouts out there, and very nearly the best stout, PERIOD (there are a few microbrewed stouts which are incredible for their own reasons, but overall Guinness still rules). Created in both Ireland AND Great Britain, this silky, brown nectar is shipped to us lucky folks to savor at our favorite Irish Pub (I personally like O'Friel's in Wilmington, DE and McGillans in Philadelphia).
The character of this beer is in one word smooth. In two words, Silky Heaven. In a paragraph, a smooth, dark beer with a hint of darker chocolate-like flavor, which glides past the gums and mouth, leaving a slightly tart foam on the lips, to be savored as it works its way down your throat. A single glass is never enough to satisfy, because it only increases your longing for this incredible brew.
Although heavier than your normal 'domestic' beers, it is not much more so. Most of the character of the beer comes from the fact that it is served via a Nitrogen tap instead of a CO2 tap as most normal beer is (this explains why bottled and hand-tap kegs don't taste the same). The Nitrogen is also partially responsible for the foam and the smoothness of the beer.
Guinness is a dark beer, so it can be more bitter than domestics, particularly lagers, although it has none of the hoppiness of most ales. Instead, the roasted taste of the barley and hops come through with a sweetened character. This is not a drink for someone who does not like strong beer. Not only is the taste very distinct, but the alcohol will grab you.
Here are some other little factoids about Guinness for your perusal. I'm off to the pub to act like a drunken Irishman...
IT DOES MATTER WHERE YOU DRINK IT Guinness is SO much better in the U.K. I don't know if it's the rocking of the boat, or the time, or what, but it is even better overseas. So far, I don't think there is any difference between Ireland and England in the taste, but there is a definite change when it comes to America.
GUINNESS KEEPS YOU FIT
Strangely enough, however, although many people consider it a heavy beer, Guinness is not. In terms of calories, Guinness is comparable to other beers. For your average pint of Guinness, you will consume about 210 calories. Compare that to Budweiser (198 calories), Miller Genuine Draft (203), Yuengling Lager (188) and Sam Adams (226). And if you like microbrews, they are even bigger belt-busters, by far (Fat Tire (CO) has 300 calories per pint).
DRINK GUINNESS FOR STRENGTH
I love this slogan. And it has some merit - beer contains carbohydrates, sugars and proteins (for you body builders), as well as alcohol (which provides about 75% of the calories).
FOR THE RECORD To settle a long-standing debate: A Black-and-Tan is made from Guinness and BASS; a HALF & HALF is Guinness and Harp (or any lager).
ONE MORE THING
One of my favorite Guinness drinks - order it at your local pub today. And I'm Irish, so I can say this, so no commentary, ok?
Irish Car Bomb
1/2 pint of Draft or Pub Draft Guinness
1 shot glass with:
<ul><li>1/3 Bushmills (Protestant) or Jameson's (Catholic) Irish Whiskey
<li>1/3 Baileys Irish Cream
<li>1/3 Kahlua
</ul>
Drop the shot in the beer and suck down the resulting mix - awesome shot that just slides down the throat.
Leave your glass at the bar and still enjoy the authentic taste of GUINNESS Draught beer How? GUINNESS Draught in Bottles - that's howIn 1999, we bott...More at Witty's Fine Wine
GUINNESS Extra Stout is steeped in heritage - a whole costume drama in a bottle It's naturally GUINNESS a complex beer full of character that's great ...More at Witty's Fine Wine
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