I was surprised to see Guinness Mid Strength on offer recently in the Teachers Club at Parnell Square. I can’t recall seeing it anywhere else in the city beforehand, though I knew it was available on trial apparently around the city. Guinness Black Lager, north of the border, has been doing rather well for itself, but I am a traditionalist with regards the black stuff and A Pint of Plain is best when it’s just that. No funny business, unless it’s a Black Russian.
So, Mid Strength. A friend ordered a pint, and sat it next to a pint of the real deal. They look the exact same. There’s no difference in the head or appearance. With an alcohol level of only 2.8pc, low when compared with a normal pints 4.2pc, one could see the appeal for some who had a journey to make or work in the morning. Believing in giving everything a shot, I got a taster.
It’s light. Too light for me. “A glorified milkshake” is how one of the table described it, and I had to agree completely with that assessment. It’s far from terrible, but it just isn’t Guinness is it? In the Teachers Club, it comes in 40c cheaper than a regular pint, but many institutions selling the pint flog it at the same price as a regular one. The richness of a pint is what makes it, and sadly it seems you can’t mess with that.
Give it a go.
God be with the days when Guinness sent inspectors round the pubs to check that the black stuff was up to scratch.
Much better use of resources than marketing silly variants.
I’d try it because Guinness gets me locked (because I drink it so fast!)
It’s for sale in Rosie O’Gradys Harolds Cross
Its in Canavans Belclare Tuam €3.75 a pint
Available in Mulligans Dublin city centre also. I didn’t notice a huge difference in taste, although there is a difference without doubt, perhaps a little less creamy but not so as you would notice terribly.
I was still smugly coherent and standing at the end of a long night out with friends and was amused by their slurring and nonsensical conversation, knowing it would usually be me. I would hope it to be encouraged and give people an alternative to full strength stouts and beers.