If you approach it with the right frame of mind, sipping a pint of Guinness Draught can be a mindfulness experience in and of itself.
Observe colors changing in the pint as it settles, the bubbles mysteriously rising instead of sinking. Feel the coolness and the heft of the glass in your hand, the slight condensation collecting on the outside. Raise it to your lips and take a sip. Notice the feeling as the creamy top touches your lips, and the way the taste and the texture change as you get to the "black stuff."
Now, how does it taste?
Allow us to clarify that question - how would you describe the taste of Guinness Draught beyond just "delicious"?
Every good Guinness connoisseur should know their Guinness Draught tasting notes. Guinness has a malty sweetness and a hoppy bitterness, with notes of coffee and chocolate. A roasted flavor also comes through, courtesy of the roasted unmalted barley that goes into its brewing. It has a sweet nose, with hints of malt breaking through, and its palate is smooth, creamy, and balanced. Velvety, you might even say, if asked about the mouthfeel.
According to the Guinness site, Guinness Draught is "rich and creamy. Distinctively black. Velvety in its finish. This iconic beer is defined by harmony. Sip after sip, sweet counters bitter as the malt arrives on cue to complement a base of roasted barley. Just as the unmistakable white head sits flush atop the dark beer, so do the flavors counter and combine perfectly. This is our greatest innovation. Truly unique. Perfectly balanced."
They add "Developed in 1959, this beer was our brewers’ celebration of Arthur Guinness signing his 9,000-year lease – a fitting way to mark 200 years of groundbreaking brewing. With a skillful pairing of nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide, the smooth, velvety texture was born. Distinguished by its legendary stormy surge upon pouring, Guinness Draught brewed up a storm all of its own. It established itself as the top-selling Guinness beer with lightning speed. Drinkers were instantly drawn to its complexity; its bold combination of flavors made a lasting impression. Guinness Draught was an unparalleled success."
There you have it. The next time you're (responsibly!) enjoying a pint or two at your local pub, you can impress your friends with your Guinness smarts.
Sláinte!
* Originally published in 2019, updated in June 2024.
