Black & Tan

Since I missed St. Patrick’s Day celebrations yesterday and Thursday has become my new Friday, I’m having this tonight:

Black & Tan

• Blend = Guinness Draught & Bass Ale

Often confused with Half & Half, this blend consists of half Bass Ale and half Guinness Draught. First, you fill the glass with Bass Ale, then rest a spoon on top and slowly pour in Guinness. This will help keep the Guinness on top, giving it the iconic Black & Tan appearance. Here’s what you can expect from this blend:

Appearance:

Dark mahogany when held to light. Clarity is good and can make out shapes through the ruby interior. Nice display of off white head. Fair bit of carbonation streaming up the sides.

Aroma:

Lighter fruit flit with the darker Guinness standard. Light herbal qualities. Hints of biscuit and sweeter malt elements; caramel especially.

Mouthfeel:

Higher carbonation floats the body a bit and dries the mouthfeel.

Taste:

Malty caramel at the front with light hints of roast and minor bittering. Any hints of coffee from the Guinness seem to be lost in this one and the Bass looses a lot of its brassy bright notes. herbal and floral hop whispers. Lightly bitter at the back with a quick dropping finish. Mineral in the aftertaste.

Overall:

This combination brings a little more hop presence along with added fruitiness. Not bad, especially if looking for something slightly more hop bitter.

History:

The Black and Tans were constables recruited into the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) as reinforcements during the Irish War of Independence. Recruitment began in Great Britain in January 1920 and about 10,000 men enlisted during the conflict. Most Black and Tans were unemployed former British soldiers who had fought in the First World War.

They were to help the overstretched RIC maintain control and suppress the Irish Republican Army (IRA), although they were less well trained in ordinary policing. The nickname “Black and Tans” arose from the colors of the improvised uniforms they initially wore, a mixture of dark green RIC (which appeared black) and khaki British Army.

The Black and Tans gained a reputation for police brutality and became notorious for reprisal attacks on civilians and civilian property, including extrajudicial killings, arson and looting.”