Every now and then I get to leave the house after sunset to feel like a functioning member of society again. And it is glorious. This week the good folks at Guinness invited me to sample two of their limited release brews and I ran out the house faster than you can say “lucky charms.”
I was so honored to be among the chosen few to try these special beers from The Brewers Project at St. James Gate and celebrate their arrival in the US.
A quick background note, St. James Gate is where Guinness is brewed in Dublin. The Guinness brand was established in 1759, when Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease on the property and the world’s most popular stout was born.
Now that we’re all caught up, back to me and my beer night! I started the evening with a glass of Rye Pale Ale.
This tasty pale beer was created as part of the annual holiday gift for the brewers at St. James Gate. Apparently it was so popular they decided to release it to the public.
And I’m so glad they did. I’m not a professional beer reviewer, but I am professional beer enjoyer and I can tell you this was delicious. It was light, not too hoppy, and very flavorful. A perfect beverage option for holiday parties. If you want to try it, you better get it quick. Guinness Rye Pale Ale will only be available in the U.S. through December 2016.
Next up, I sashayed over to the Antwerpen Stout. And let me just say, mama was home! As a fan of regular Guinness, this was right up my alley. It has that rich, roasted flavor that you’ve come to expect from Guinness, but with a hint of coffee and chocolate. You heard me. Only the most amazing combination ever.
I tried the Antwerpen Stout with a gold dusted macaroon and it was as opulent as it sounds. If you’ll be celebrating anything during the holiday season, this would be a great beer to have in your arsenal. The event also featured Guinness Blonde American Lager and Guinness Nitro IPA which were also born inside the halls of St. James Gate.
If you want indulge in some hoppy happiness then get to these beers soon. The Antwerp Stout and the Rye Pale Ale will only be available in the US for a limited time. And trust me, they are definitely worth your time.
This iconic beer is brewed in 49 countries worldwide and sold in over 150 with almost 9 million glasses of Guinness enjoyed every day around the world. The most Guinness is sold in Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Nigeria and Cameroon. More information can be found at www.guinness.com.
