Guinness beer: the history of the brand and the most popular Irish stout
If you ask anyone to name the top 5 most popular dark beers, Guinness would definitely be on the list. This Irish stout is known all over the world, and drinking it has become a whole philosophy. Many Guinness fans travel thousands of kilometers to taste the legendary drink in its homeland, and the list of such fans includes real stars, such as director Chris Hayden. Why Guinness beer is known and loved in any part of the world — this article was analyzed in this article.
How it all began
The founder of the brand Arthur Guinness was born in 1725 in Ireland. At the age of 27 he inherited a large sum for those times — 100 pounds sterling — and decided to invest it in business, opening his own brewery in the town of Leixlip. In 1959 he moved to Dublin, and although the brewing industry was going through a bad time, he rented a derelict estate near St. James Gate for 9000 years, where he continued to brew his beer.
Despite the fact that beer production was in decline during those years, Guinness managed to spin out and even began exporting his products to England. After the death of the businessman, the brewery was inherited by his son, and then it was passed on to his children, until in the 1850s the next owner registered the Guinness trademark.
Few people know that the brewery’s creator, Arthur Guinness, did not brew stout at his brewery — only English ale and porter. Guinness Draught, which became famous all over the world, appeared only in 1956, on the 200th anniversary of the lease signed by Arthur Guinness.
The secret of success
Much of the popularity of «Guinness» is due to competent advertising. From the slogan Guinness is Good For You to the widest range of souvenir products. It is in Guinness invented the so-called «beer widget», which allows you to create a delicate creamy cap when filling from the bottle and tin can. The creators received a Royal Award for this development, and the know-how itself was recognized as the greatest invention of the last 40 years.
By the way, the Guinness Book of Records is also directly related to the brand — it was on the company’s initiative that it was first published in 1955. The idea of its creation was simple — to record in one place all the world’s achievements in order to solve the endless disputes of visitors to Irish pubs.
Of course, all these interesting points do not fuel interest in Guinness products. But not advertising alone — Guinness beer really has a rich, smooth, creamy flavor, which is dominated by burnt and smoky tones, as well as notes of black coffee and caramel. By the way, the drink owes much of its popularity to the «beer widget» — a nitrogen capsule that creates a recognizable foam cap when bottled. The flavor of the beer is muted, with notes of roasted malt, coffee and milk chocolate.
Looking for a place to try Guinness and other popular beers? Come to Lambic! Our chain of beer restaurants features hundreds of labels from around the world, as well as delicious food, great service and a cozy atmosphere. Come — we will find something to surprise you!
The strongest beers: what to try
Beer is considered to be a light drink - you can drink a lot of it and hardly get tipsy. But this is true only for non-strength varieties. Meanwhile, there are some that can easily give a head start to both vodka and whiskey. Let's tell you more about them! World leaders Brewmeister Snake Venom (67.5%) Scottish ale called “snake venom” for its incredible strength. It is achieved by smoking peat malt, using two types of yeast and multiple freezing. Despite the high concentration of alcohol, the beer is characterized by softness, retaining hop aroma and malt bitterness. Price - more than 6000 rubles. Used in cocktails. Brewdog Strength in Numbers (57.8%) The result of a collaboration between BrewDog and Schorschbräu, who created the beer using the “Icebock” method (freezing and clearing of ice). Additional strength was provided by a 10-year-old whisky. It was released in a limited edition at a price of $40 for 50 ml. Brewmeister Armageddon (65%) Scottish beer made from crystal malt, oats, wheat and spring water. The strength is achieved thanks to the addition of aged whisky. Price - from 5000 rubles. Koelschip Start the Future (60%) Dutch ale obtained by the “Icebock” method. Despite the standard ingredients, the flavor turned out to be unusual - sweet-tart with soapy and peppery notes. Created as an experiment, not flavor-oriented. Price - approximately $46 for 330 ml. Schorschbrau Schorschbock 57 (57%) German ale from the famous Schorschbrau brewery, which usually produces beers with a strength of 13-16%.It is distinguished by dark amber color, oily texture and burning taste with whiskey notes. It is produced in limited batches, the price is $300 for 400 ml.Rock Bottom Campbell Beer PT's Punch (56%)A California ale with guava, orange and passion fruit. Easier to drink than its European counterparts, with a pleasant bitterness and floral notes. Unlike other experimental varieties, the drink is available in online stores for pre-order. Strong in Lambic In our country, of course, you can not drink 50-degree beer. But you can treat yourself to a strong foamy drink in any beer restaurant. At Lambic we offer several with high strength. The result of a collaboration between BrewDog and Schorschbräu, who created the beer using the “Icebock” method (freezing and clearing of ice).Additional strength was provided by a 10-year-old whisky. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the strongest in the world, and the high degree is achieved thanks to fermentation. We will recommend excellent gastronomic accompaniments for all varieties so that you can get a real pleasure. We look forward to seeing you!
23 April 2025
Bornem Double beer: a taste with a history
There are many special options among Belgian brews, especially when it comes to beers with a history. But Bornem Double stands out even among such stars. At the recent California Microbrew Beer Festival, this Van Steenberge Abbey draft was recognized as the best in its category. What is its charm — we will tell you in this article. Main features Bornem Double is a lively beer with a full, rich, velvety flavor that harmoniously combines fruity notes and malt sweetness. The long aftertaste reveals nuances of spices and chocolate, as well as neat hop notes. Separately it is worth talking about the aroma. It is very beautiful, with notes of milk chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla and spices. The variety is good both inside and outside — in the glass it reveals a deep dark brown color with burgundy reflections. Bornem Double is usually served with meat dishes — steaks, grill, game, sausages. Despite the rather high strength of 8%, the beer is very drinkable, and you can hardly feel alcohol in it. It is also perfect for cold seasons, as it has a warming effect. Secrets of production The history of Bornem beer began in 1957 at the Beirens brewery in the town of Wommelgem. After the brewery closed in 1971, thanks largely to the abbots of the Bornem monastery, the recipe was taken over by the Van Steenberge brewery. The beer was originally sold under the St. Bernard brand and with the monk’s image on the label. However, to avoid similarity with the St. Bernardus Watou brand, the logo was changed: an image of a heron holding a fish appeared on the label. The choice of the symbol is not accidental: the heron is a typical inhabitant of the neighborhood of Bornem, which reflects both the charm of the local fauna and the traditional culture of the region. By the way, the word «heron» is often found in the names of local bars and brasseries. The main feature of this dub is the manufacturing technology. The beer is not pasteurized, and after primary fermentation in barrels it undergoes secondary fermentation in bottles, acquiring its unique taste. You can try Bornem Double in any Lambic brasserie. In our beer restaurants you will find a large selection of varieties from all over the world, including Trappists, as well as an excellent assortment of dishes and always cozy atmosphere. Come — we will find something to surprise you!
23 April 2025