[4/14/09 Update: Launches in the U.S. April 24, in Australia and Singapore later.]
(Dublin, IRELAND) – Guinness will celebrate its 250th anniversary next year and looks to be doing it in style with a new beer, Guinness Anniversary Stout. The beer commemorates the date on which Arthur Guinness signed the lease on St. James’ Gate in Dublin: December 31, 1759. Guinness hasn’t come around to the craft beer scene yet but this one might appeal to craft drinkers. The packaging looks fancy and at 11.2 oz. indicates that this one may be bottled (I have never heard of an 11.2 oz. can but I could be wrong).
From Wikipedia, “Leased for 9,000 years in 1759 by Arthur Guinness at £45 per year, St. James’s Gate has been the home of Guinness ever since. It became the largest brewery in Ireland in 1838, and was the largest in the world in 1914.”
The good news comes amidst rocky times and major changes for Guinness. Just two years ago, there was talk that the brewery may shut down operations at St. James’s Gate. But this past May, it was announced that the brewery would be saved and that a new $1 billion brewery would be built elsewhere in Ireland. Still, according to Reuters, Guinness “will close two smaller sites by 2013 and cut its Irish brewery workforce by more than half.”
The 250th anniversary should provide for some much needed cheer amidst the turbulence. No release date set for the anniversary beer yet but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is released in the States around St. Patrick’s Day (not official).
11.2 oz = 330 ml, or 1/3rd of a liter. It’s a common European bottle size.
The thing that makes me think it won’t be up to our standards is the
“premium” and “refreshing”
part of the back label-blurb which makes me think its going to be even more Guinness-light than Guinness already is.
this product willactually have more alcohol than Guinness Draught
The Guinness 250 Stout will be available in the US in select markets. The release date of the Anniversary stout is on 4/24/09.
I purchased this today from a local Spec’s (liquor, fine wine, fine food, and beer) store.
There is a ring label around the neck that says “limited edition 250” with the Arthur Guinness signature behind it. It is creme coloured with silver trim. The cap is black with the Guinness title and the harp device above it with silver trim on the lip. The labels shown above are dead on. The bottle itself has the harp device and the Guinness title on an outward embossing. I’ve yet to taste it, I’ll let you all know once I have. I will be saving one of the bottles for preservation (250 of St. James Gate…that’s worth preserving).
Taste: a bit milder than the Extra Stout. Though it still has that taste. It is also smooth. A guy at Spec’s (who knows his Guinness) had said to me that this tastes more like a dry lager than the Stout. I’d go with his judgement. It is still quite awesome though.
Could anyone advise where to buy in NYC?
Thanks!
Third and Long just picked up the bottled stout. I’ve had it and it tastes like regular Guinness… with bubbles, if that makes any sense.
I had a glass at Bushwaller’s Irish Pub in Frederick Maryland. Very smooth taste.
http://pages.frederick.com/dining/bushwallers.htm
I had it on Friday in Atlanta. it was very smooth and tasty..I would have it again for sure
I have been drinking Guinness Extra Stout since 1974 and it is still my favorite. The draught version is wonderful as well. Perhaps I got hold of a six pack that had been intentionally abused or somehow tortured. When I tasted the 250 anniversary Guinness, I immediately exclaimed that there was something wrong with this brew. It was thin, acidic, flat (I thought it was supposed to be carbonated?) and not in the same universe as any other Guinness offering. I waited a day and tried it again. Same opinion. I had to rinse my palate with an Extra Stout in an attempt to forget the experience. It sort of reminded me of the Coca Cola/New Coke fiasco. I’m still a Guinness devote, just not this Guinness.
On behalf of the late Arthur Guinness, I would like to protest that my wonderful brew has survived (Despite the Guinness Light episode) so as people say “if it ain’t broke do not fix it” so please leave it alone as one of the world’s favourite drink. If you ave spare energy, then try to improve the travel ability of my brew (So Americans can get the taste that Irish folk get). Thank you in anticipation.
Alex the Guiness drinker
morning:
heard will be doing a guinnes event
on 21st stept.. shall be in ireland
this time maybe leaving at shannon
first time back in 175 years-
will taste the beer!
Pingback: klaeuiblog
Pingback: Celebrating milestones « The Seed
Pingback: Dunbar Brewing: Santa Margarita’s neighborhood microbrewery « Tales of the Cork