I have been a fan and supporter of the microbrew movement since its beginnings, and a lover of non-mainstream beer for years before that (and there was plenty to be had if you knew where to look). While there are many outstanding micro beers out there I certainly don’t feel that the micro movement can do no wrong, and this idea that has been fostered lately which suggests that if it is not extreme in every way, it is not “real” beer.

Hogwash.

It seems as though it has become fashionable to berate a beer simply because it is the product of a large company, or because it does not slam you over the head with overdone flavors, or because it doesn’t pack a massive alcohol wallop. Beers like that have become just as common (and just as boring) as the megabrew yellow fizzwater beers.

Sometimes, a pint of Guinness is a real relief.

I should add in my defence that, that lunchtime we had a couple of Draught Guinness which went down VERY well, and then followed them with a couple of Dark Budvar. Somebody else was driving – I should add.

At the end of the day it’s down to personal taste, and having a good time.

Bob the Brit’s last blog post..Cottage Pie

63% of all beer sold in Ireland is lager, with virtually all of it made in Ireland.

The Beer Nut’s last blog post..Of lions and lambs

The 4.2% ABV nitrokeg draught Guinness was most certainly not the world’s first Stout Porter. Its roots don’t really go back any further than the late 1950’s, and it doesn’t seem to have reached its current ABV until the 1970s. The nearest thing to pre-1917 Guinness around is the 7.5% ABV Foreign Extra Stout, a recipe seemingly almost unchanged since the 1820s. It offers a much better yardstick to measure all stout by, and tastes quite nice too.

The notion that modern-day Draught Guinness has any historical credibility is a myth encouraged by Diageo’s huge marketing divisions.

The Beer Nut’s last blog post..Of lions and lambs

Scott – TheBrewClub’s last blog post..Beer Review – Lancaster Brewing Milk Stout

I’m with you on the widget cans and bottles. If I drink Guinness from the bottle it’s the Extra Stout. This beer is far superior on tap vs. the bottle, so can’t disagree that it’s terrible in can or bottle. I would give it 2 to 2.5 bottle and the 4 that Bob gave it…if on tap. I’m of the belief that it’s certainly not nearly the best stout that I’ve had, but the excoriation that it received from the beer nut seems a little unwarranted. And Bob is right to say that it is the yardstick (yardstick meaning the starting point)…after all, it was the world’s first Stout Porter, which is really what Stout is.

Michael Reinhardt’s last blog post..Virtual Line Waiting: The virtual diary of someone trying to score some Dark Lord

I would never describe myself as an afficionado of Stout, but figure that this should be the yardstick against others should be measured, if only because it provides a reference point that most of the world can relate to.

I managed to find a bottle of the Foreign Extra this evening so will try that soon.

But I respectfully thank The Beer Nut for his input and will certainly try and seek out the stouts he recommends.

And no, the Adnams was off that lunchtime, after the Guinness I moved on to Dark Budvar which was a guest beer.

Bob the Brit’s last blog post..Cottage Pie

Maybe I just had a dud, although its been a long while since I’ve had a Guinness Draught so maybe my taste in beers have evolved. Bob the Brit says ‘classic’ and The Beer Nut says its the opposite! I suppose I fall somewhere in between, but based on the sample I had last night I’m closer to The Beer Nut’s take and would have given it 2.5 stars.

Scott – The Brew Club’s last blog post..Beer Review – Smithwick’s Irish Ale

Where did you get the 4.8% ABV from? Draught Guinness is 4.2% — though it’s high-gravity brewed so they can dilute it to any strength they want.

There is an Irish-brewed version of the Nigerian Foreign Extra, brewed to 7.5% ABV, and St James’s Gate also produces the 8% Special Export for John Martin’s of Belgium. Both are much better than ordinary Guinness, IMO.

Drinking cold nitrokeg in a pub which, by the looks of things, serves Adnam’s beer on cask seems sinful to me.

The Beer Nut’s last blog post..Interlude