GUINNESS beer

[just-some-guy]

i buy 6 packs of different beer, just to try something different. usually i drink OLD STYLE bottles, mmmm. MOOOSEHEAD right now.

anyway. my guinness. it was flat as a freakin pancake !!! not only that. there is something in the freakin bottle. idk what it is, hard to see it. i can't believe that it is supposed to be like this, is it ?

 

[MinusTheBear]

i buy 6 packs of different beer, just to try something different. usually i drink OLD STYLE bottles, mmmm. MOOOSEHEAD right now.

anyway. my guinness. it was flat as a freakin pancake !!! not only that. there is something in the freakin bottle. idk what it is, hard to see it. i can't believe that it is supposed to be like this, is it ?

What is probably at the bottom of the Guinness bottle is called a widget which is normal. In my opinion Guinness is close to the Bose of beer, not quite that bad but grossly overpriced for what it is. I just don't think it is anything special (let the flames begin ) This is the north american Guinness I am basing this off of by the way. It might be something totally different overseas.

If was going to spend money I would do it on microbrews . At a bar it would be cheaper for me to get drunk off Moosehead anyways .

 

[Adam]

Are you referring to something that rattles in the bottle once the beer is gone? There is a nitrogen charger that is supposed to inject gas into the beer when you open the bottle. Does it say anything about that on the label?

EDIT: Minus beat me to it. I forgot that it was called a "widget." Good show.

 

[Adam]

I forgot to mention that I also quite like Moosehead. I had some Moosehead Light last month for the first time ever (it was the first time that I'd ever seen it). Not bad. It took a bottle or two to get used to it, but it grew on me.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I forgot to mention that I also quite like Moosehead. I had some Moosehead Light last month for the first time ever (it was the first time that I'd ever seen it). Not bad. It took a bottle or two to get used to it, but it grew on me.

Becoming a Canadian one bottle at a time....

 

[jamie2112]

Guinness is VERY different overseas bro. I hate it here but drink it when I am over the pond. I am really digging the Widmer right now very refreshing.........

 

[Adam]

Becoming a Canadian one bottle at a time....

Well, one or maybe two at a time.

 

[annunaki]

I must agree with the OP. I am not a fan of Guinness either. Whenever I have one (rarely) I wonder what everyone raves about.

I will stick to my fave's from the New Glarus Brewing Company. Yokel, Spotted Cow, Dancing Man Wheat and more

Its a shame the non Wisconsinites are unable to try some of this wonderful stuff without a visit here (statewide distribution only).

 

[Matt34]

Another reason I want to go back to Germany.....real beer!!

 

[oppman99]

annunaki,

Good to see another Wisconsonite around. I'm not a huge beer drinker, but I'll agree with your comments on Guinness and Spotted Cow. I've been on a Hoegarden (Belgiun) kick lately.

 

[jamie2112]

annunaki,

Good to see another Wisconsonite around. I'm not a huge beer drinker, but I'll agree with your comments on Guinness and Spotted Cow. I've been on a Hoegarden (Belgiun) kick lately.

I love me some Hoegarden.............

 

[ragged]

Guinness in other countries is great. Back when I was living in Jamaica, I had this http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3468469535_cc83fb5fa1.jpg?v=0, mixed with some condensed milk to sweeten and crushed ice. OMG it was fantastic. It may sound weird but it was really really good.

Maybe you just had an old bottle, I assume it's not consumed much here.

 

[Adam]

I love me some Hoegarden.............

I didn't know that people could grow those. Oh, wait. That's spelled differently.

 

[avaserfi]

If the Guinness bottle has a widget (not all does) then it should be poured into a glass. The widget releases nitrogen (as previously stated) which is far less solvable in liquid than CO2 (what normally carbonates beer). The nitrogen forces the some of the carb out of the beer creating the Guinness "cascade" head that looks like sand falling. It also changes the mouth-feel.

Another reason I want to go back to Germany.....real beer!!

So many people say that, but German beer culture is dying. At the same time American beer culture is unmatched in the world, you just have to move away from the mass produced lagers - Bud, Coors etc.... Guinness is the start of this move for many, but it is not a good move as far as I am concerned. Something like Dogfish Head, Boulevard, Flying Dog, Bells or Great Divide are far superior alternatives.

 

[MidnightSensi]

So many people say that, but German beer culture is dying. At the same time American beer culture is unmatched in the world, you just have to move away from the mass produced lagers - Bud, Coors etc.... Guinness is the start of this move for many, but it is not a good move as far as I am concerned. Something like Dogfish Head, Boulevard, Flying Dog, Bells or Great Divide are far superior alternatives.

Agreed. I'm in Germany at least once a year, and while there is great beer there, once you get past the novelty of the history, we have at least matched quality here in the United States.

I really like Belgium beers too.

It's also been great that more and more Americans are getting into beer, and just about everytime I go out now there will be at least one person searching the beer list with me. Instant conversation maker, and a refreshing change from having to listen to the "Would you guys like a red or a white?" spiel...

 

[Jack Hammer]

I really like Guiness, but gotta agree the bottled ones aren't that good and it is waaayyyyy overpriced. Surprisingly the Guiness in a can is much much much better than the bottled ones. Give that a try sometime or get one poured in an Irish pub, a real Irish pub, not the Irish themed ones. Not sure what they do differently to Guiness but it's always better at those places. Gotta also agree there are some amazingly good microbrews out there.

Jack

 

[markw]

I love Guinness but I won't drink it unless It comes from a tap. It doesn't make the journey well when confined to bottles and cans.

I do like Killian's Irish Red in bottles, though.

 

[just-some-guy]

thanx for the tips/info. yeah, from what i can see, it looks like a widget.

so, is there anything i could try to salvage this stuff ? still have 4 bottles.
i will try the glass thing. open and pour real fast ?

as far as my taste in beer goes. i don't much like skunky beer. and i don't like strong beer. i do like the basic lime beers. i have never tried any of the "old counrty" beers you speak of. and expect they would be too strong for me.
polish beers, not so much. mexican beers, have yet to go there.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Remember Guinness is a STOUT, not a beer exactly. Unless you are a fan of stouts it is doubtful you would appreciate a Guinness at first. Technically it is a beer in the fact that it is made with water, malt and hops but you will notice they don't call it a beer and neither do other stouts brewers. Also like a lot of stouts it is Charged with nitrogen, and that is what the widget is. Several good British beers, ales and stouts are nitrogen charged. Old speckled hen is one of my favorites.

Most people do not like stouts at first, but more so as they become better educated about beer and the whole brewing process, and as their palate changes. Sounds snooty but it isn't really. Beer should never be snooty. I would suggest starting out with a real black and tan. That is half bass ale and half Guinness where the Guinness is floated on the top of the Bass. Then work your way up. You could also try some Porters; they are a stout lite.

p.s. for what it is worth Guinness is a good stout but not the best. There are several much better stouts you can get. Murphy's is one I like better.

"I brew therefore I am"

 

[jeffsg4mac]

thanx for the tips/info. yeah, from what i can see, it looks like a widget.

so, is there anything i could try to salvage this stuff ? still have 4 bottles.
i will try the glass thing. open and pour real fast ?

Yes, open it listen for the widget to discharge and pour into a glass. Let it settle a bit before drinking. Part of the mystique.