I recently found myself on the flipside of LA, in an industrial neighborhood, wondering if I was in the right place. I was told to follow the directions and look for a secret doorway, and as I got closer to a distressed building I hesitated to guess if I had the right place. Thankfully, I did, and as the doorman guided me inside the landscape morphed into this incredible, rustic Guinness man cave.
It felt like I stepped into another world; on my left, décor celebrating Guinness’s new Pale Ale, a light beer with fruity notes, lit up the room. On the right side, a second addition to the lineup, the Stout, was proudly on display. Immediately I locked eyes on an incredible Guinness sign, made from a solid block of carved wood.
Guinness Rye Pale Ale
I veered left and divided to try the pale ale first. This was an excellent choice, and I was happy to find this was not as bitter as an IPA. I enjoyed the smooth, crisp taste, and the fruity notes. This is the kind of ale that I want to drink throughout the night, and love that it pairs well with different foods too. If I was hosting a summer BBQ, this is what I would want to serve to my guests.
Guinness Rye Pale Ale got its start just last year when The Brewers Project cooked it up as a fun holiday gift for their friends and families. Everyone loved the beer so much that Guinness decided to try it out on tap at the Open Gate Brewery in Dublin. There, the rave reviews continued. Guinness decided to move the brewing process to a bigger brew house so even more people could try the surprise hit.
The rustic ale has a peppery bite thanks to the rye malt used but gets a nice balance of the grapefruit and citrus flavor from Mosaic and Cascade hops.
Guinness Antwerpen Stout
In contrast, I went to the dark side and sampled the Guinness Antwerpen Stout. This is an interesting brew, and while it won’t be for everyone, I had a deep appreciation for what Guinness have accomplished. This is a seriously smooth stout that is the perfect nightcap. It’s hearty, robust, and a fantastic choice for those who want to mull over a conversation with friends.
Guinness Antwerpen Stout was brewed for the first time in 1944 for its namesake: The Belgian city of Antwerp. Though often known by a different name – Guinness Special Export – it’s still a fan favorite in the European city. The beer won everyone over with its intense roasted malt, smoked wood, raisin and licorice notes and its sweet smells of bittersweet chocolate, coffee and a touch of blackcurrant.
The rustic ale has a peppery bite thanks to the rye malt used but gets a nice balance of the grapefruit and citrus flavor from Mosaic and Cascade hops.
Pouring the Perfect Pint of Guinness
One of the highlights of the evening was learning how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness. This rite of passage begins with finding the sweet spot where the angle of the glass and the Guinness meet. It takes no less than 119 seconds to pour the perfect pint of Guinness; this is a drink to savor, and watching the glass fill with creamy goodness builds anticipation like no other drink.
Overall, I had a fantastic night and loved learning about what Guinness have been up to almost as much as I enjoyed their Pale Ale. Guinness Rye Pale Ale will be available in the U.S. through December 2016 in six packs of 11.2 oz. Bottles for a suggested retail price of $8.99. The amber ale has an ABV of 5.0% and 18 IBUs.
