The Myth of Warm Guinness
I’ve been ardently in love with good beer for at least a decade. In that time, I’ve heard several people tell me that they get upset when a server gives them a cold Guinness and then tell me how it’s supposed to be served warm.
Let’s clear up this load of crap right away!
I’ve even heard someone tell me that if a place serves them a cold Guinness, they make the server put it in the microwave! Blasphemy!! Beer and microwaves should not know of one anothers existence, let alone put one inside the other! If I believed in sin, I’d consider this a high one!
Some have told me “Well, they serve it warm in England!” Another myth.
Okay, folks, here’s the skinny on Guinness, and please spread this far and wide! Let the masses know of the grievous error they are committing against one of the finest substances on this earth!
Guinness is an Irish beer. In Ireland, they serve it cold. The stuff they export to us often bear the words “Serve Very Cold” on the bottle. In England, they often serve stouts at cellar temperature. That’s about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s not even room temperature, let alone warm. Leave it to the English to serve an Irish beer incorrectly.
Sure, it’s less cold than a chilled, refrigerated beer, but it’s like saying Chicago is warmer in winter than Antarctica. It’s somewhat less cold, but warm it ain’t!
If you want to know how the Irish serve a Guinness, go to Ireland. Short of that, read this:
They fill a glass about 2/3rd of the way and then set it down to let it “cook”. Guinness has to take its time to settle and let the head form. Once it’s well settled, they top it off, right to the very top edge of the glass, and for a nice Irish touch, they make a little shamrock in the foam at the edge of the glass. A correct pour takes 120 seconds. You look at it with admiration, close your eyes, and sip from the shamrock. A well-poured Guinness will slide down your gullet like silk and put an instant blissful smile on your face.
So, next time you hear some twat prattle on about warm Guinness, educate them! Don’t let another pint of Guinness be shamefully spoiled by this horrid myth.