Guinness goes Blonde!!!

OK, when I say the words "Guinness", what is the first thing that comes to mind? Dark, black, stout, Irish? Yeah, me too. Well, you also get those "heavy", "a meal in a glass", "you drink it with a fork" and a few other misconceptions about this ubiquitous Irish Stout. However you feel about it, love it, tolerate it, there are a couple things we all can agree on about it. One, if you go to Ireland, you HAVE to have at least one glass in a pub, and 2, its very dark.




Well, that is all about to change. Now, Guinness seems to think introducing a lighter, American lager into the market will stir things up just a bit.

This will be first release in Guinness's upcoming "Discovery Series", celebrating Guinness's 250+ plus year tradition. The series will offer up a wider range of beer styles then we are use to seeing from Guinness, which are, generally, "black" beers of some sort (with the exception of the short lived "Guinness Gold" from around the early to mid 80's I believe). These will be a line of "fusion" beers released in the coming months.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a bottle (scheduled to hit stores in a week or so...) and thought I would give it a try.

Some info.....according to the release from Diago....
5% abv, 149 calories per 12 oz. serving. No GMO additives or isinglass used (hear that Food Babe!). Yeast is Guinness 125 old yeast, crystal malt, Mosaic, Willamette and Mount Hood hops.
Oh, and it tastes best served cold, in a 16oz Guinness branded glass!

It poured a little darker then I would expect from something called an "American Lager". Its darker then a Bud, or Coors, more amber then pale yellow. Good carbonation, not a ton of head, but it was there.

OK, now, as far as flavor goes, like a lot of beer folks, American Lager isn't something I get excited about. However, unlike a lot of beer geeks, its not something I find all that offensive either. American Lagers has a VERY mild, sometimes none existent flavor profile, and to me, something so mild can hardly be all that awful. It can hardly be very exciting either, but offensive is hard to do with so little flavor, but that is just my opinion. That being said, I also don't spend money on this style for that very reason, its not awful, but its not that good either. Tasting Guinness Blonde, I will say, it wasn't bad.  Had more flavor then the beers in its same class, with a sort of clean, citrusy flavor. Far more flavor then the aforementioned Bud, or Coors. It has some bready sort of biscuit/bready flavors in there, with a very (VERY)  slight hop presences. One thing I found, like with most American Lagers, serve it cold, and drink it that way. Don't let this warm up much, its not really enjoyable over 40 or so degrees. Served very cold however, I didn't find anything really wrong with this beer. I would take this over most beers of this style, and can see myself drinking one after mowing the lawn, or hanging by the pool (why they waited for mid Sept to released this has me scratching my head a bit).

My thoughts on this beer. Again, there is nothing really wrong with it. Will it win over the fiercely loyal American Lager drinkers? Maybe. Will it win over craft drinkers? Probably not. People that already enjoy Guinness will probably find this a more then suitable alternative to its darker parent, and that is where I see this beer finding its place. Not sure Bud or Miller drinkers will give up there fridge space for it, but my fellow Irish beer drinkers will probably enjoy it, at least from time to time.

Now, will they spend their hard earned money on it? That remains to be seen. I think some serious marketing is in need for Guinness to get this one off the ground, so we shall see.

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

Touching new Guinness Ad

One of the reasons I love beer, is for its social properties. I say it a lot, but beer brings people together. Its one of those things that can help us loosen up, give us something in common to talk about, and can connect folks that normally wouldn't connect the opportunity to do so.
Beer, while given all the social stigma's and negative perceptions, still can bring out the best in us, I feel. How many times has someone asked you to help them move, and before you can answer, they follow up the request with "I'll buy the beer!". You know you would help that friend move regardless, but the beer gives us that "excuse" to make it seem like we are going to do something extraordinary in order to get our hands on a few free beers.

Well, I recently came across a new Guinness ad that embraces this aspect of beer, and even takes it a step further. Take a look.....

Now, in the end, is this ad more about beer, or is it more about the good that is in people? I would argue its not about beer at all. Its about the human spirit, men supporting a "brother" and the willingness to be there for someone in need. The beer, is sort of the "excuse", the "if you play ball with me, I'll buy you a round" sort of thing, same as the moving analogy I used above. Macho guys sometimes need an excuse to be supportive of one another Of coarse. they would lend support, and be happy doing it regardless, but always look for a reason to sort of save face. In this case, its an "ok, I'll do it for the beer" excuse. They would play ball anyway, and probably had a great time doing it, but in the end, its the beer bringing them together, giving them that "moment"..

So, regardless of how you feel about Guinness, love it or hate, this ad is awesome, and shows the best in us, the beer just gives them the reason. This ad is right up there with Budweiser's 9-11 tribute commercial that only aired once (check it out here) . What is the most touching beer ad you've seen?

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar

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St Patrick's Day Recipe....

Well, the day is fast approaching folks! One of the greatest eating/beer drinking holidays on the calendar! That's right, Saint Patrick's Day! OK, so, I know its not a major holiday, but it is an excuse to eat some great food, and drink some "decent" beer (OK, I know, I have some Irish blood in me, but that doesn't mean I have to LOVE Irish beer, its OK, but there are far great beer nations out there, in my opinion). While I don't plan on going all out crazy for the day, I will recognize my Irish roots. I like to plan a simple "Irish inspired" meal, and wash it down with a Guinness or two. I take some time in searching out something different (at least something I've never had before) but also fairly quick and easy. This year, I found what seems to be the perfect fit for the day. How does "Grilled Corned Beef and Cheese with Guinness Caramelized Onions" sound? Yeah, sounded awesome to me, so this is what I'll be eating March 17th!


Here is how you make it.....

"Grilled Corned Beef and Cheese with Guinness Caramelized Onions" 

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 cup Guinness
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons grainy mustard
• 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
• 2 slices rye, lightly toasted
• 1/2 cup cheddar, shredded, room temperature
• 2 ounces cooked corned beef, sliced or shredded, warm

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add 1/4 cup Guinness , cover and simmer until the liquid has mostly evaporated, about 15 minutes and repeat three more times.
4. Remove from heat and mix in the Worcestershire sauce and grainy mustard.
5. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
6. Butter the outside of each slice of bread, sprinkle half of the cheese on the inside of one slice of bread, top with half of the onions, the corned beef, the remaining onions, cheese and finally the other slice of bread.
7. Add the sandwich to the pan and grill until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.

Oh, and if you want to make your own Corned Beef, let my older brother show you how, when he appeared on an episode of local Maine TV show "207", check it out here.......

Seems easy enough for me!!! 

What are your plans this St Patrick's Day? Share them with me if you'd like, and if you have a favorite Irish recipe, please, by all means, share it with me, and I just might pass it along!

So, until next time

Slainte!

The Beer Czar