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All Hail The King
I thought I’d finish up the five days of St. Patrick’s Day madness with the king of Irish beers – Guinness. The beer itself comes in a gleaming black can with the instantly recognizable harp logo on the outside and a clever nitrogen widget hiding within. Many people don’t know it but the fine folks at Guinness actually invented the nitrogen widget. They did this so that the beers they sold in stores would match the quality of their beers when served in the pub. A brilliant concept – beautifully executed. When pouring a pint of Guinness Draught, the widget instantly turns the beer into an inviting tan froth. As…
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Murphy’s Stout
Today’s beer is Murphy’s Stout. Like the Wexford Irish Cream I reviewed yesterday, Murphy’s comes in a can with a nitrogen widget. When opened, the widget releases the nitrogen into the beer and turns pouring it into an event. The Japanese can keep their tea ceremony, crack open one of these and see what makes the lads in Ireland say, “if you’re lucky enough to be born Irish, you’re lucky enough.” So what happens when you start the pour? In this case you’re greeted by a dark, almost black beer with a not quite white head. The nitrogen bubbles in the beer begin to wash down the inside of the…
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Wexford Irish Cream
Today’s beer is the Wexford Irish Style Cream Ale. This beer is draught style. For those unfamiliar with the term, draught style is an attempt to recreate the experience of pouring the beer into a glass directly from a tap and keg. This isn’t necessary for all beers, but when done correctly with the right beer it makes a world of difference. And Wexford does it up right. As the beer pours into my gleaming pint glass the nitrogen widget in the can works its magic. Magic may be too mild a word. With even a gentle pour the entire glass momentarily becomes a sea of swirling, creamy foam that…