Abita Beer's Dark, Creamy Guinness-Like Brews Revealed

Guinness is a stout beer that originated in Dublin, Ireland, in the 18th century. It is now owned by the British-based multinational alcoholic beverage maker Diageo and is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide, brewed in almost 50 countries and available in over 120. Guinness has a distinct dark colour and a creamy, smooth taste, achieved through a combination of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The beer has a rich history and has been marketed with various slogans over the years, including Guinness is Good for You and Guinness for Strength. Abita Beer, on the other hand, is a craft brewery based in Abita Springs, Louisiana, known for its diverse range of beers, including lagers, ales, and stouts. While I cannot find specific information on an Abita beer that is close to Guinness, Abita does offer a selection of stouts with similar characteristics to Guinness, such as a creamy mouthfeel and a dark colour.

Guinness's flavour is derived from malted barley and roasted unmalted barley

Guinness is one of the world's most beloved and oldest drinks. Its flavour is derived from malted barley and roasted unmalted barley.

Malted barley is the brewer's preferred grain for making beer. It is barley that has been soaked in water to allow it to germinate. This process prepares the starches in the barley to be converted into fermentable sugars. The barley is then aerated, turned regularly, and kept at a temperature of around 60°F (15.5°C) to encourage germination. After about five days, the barley will want to grow into a new plant, and the germination process is stopped by applying heat. The temperature is slowly raised to over 120°F (48.8°C), halting the growth of the sprouts and leaving a dried barley grain full of sugar, starch, and an enzyme called diastase. The level of heat applied to the barley will determine the colour of the beer, with higher temperatures producing darker beers.

Unmalted barley is used to make roasted barley, one of the darkest grains used in brewing. It is heated to temperatures as high as 446°F (230°C), nearly reaching the point of combustion. The roasting time determines the darkness of the grain, and the unique flavour profiles of roasted barley are produced during this process. The predominant characteristics are nutty and coffee-like. Roasted barley is used to add colour, sweetness, and fermentable sugar to beer, and it is especially important for achieving the dark character of stouts, such as Irish dry stouts.

The flavour of Guinness is often described as smooth, creamy, and slightly bitter, with notes of coffee and chocolate. It has a distinctive roasted malt flavour, and its low ABV and calorie content make it a light and drinkable beer. While some people may find the flavour of Guinness subtle, others consider it to be complex and unique. The way Guinness is brewed, poured, and served can also affect its flavour and mouthfeel.

Guinness is available in over 120 countries

Guinness is a stout beer that originated in Dublin, Ireland, in the 18th century. It is now available in over 120 countries and is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide. The brand is owned by the British-based multinational alcoholic beverage maker Diageo, which has helped Guinness expand its reach globally.

The United Kingdom is the largest consumer of Guinness, followed by Ireland, Nigeria, the United States, and Cameroon. Guinness has a strong presence in Africa, with about 40% of its total volume being brewed and sold on the continent. The brand owns breweries in Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, and Guinness has been sold in Nigeria since 1827.

Guinness is known for its distinctive dark colour, thick creamy head, and smooth, creamy taste. The beer is made from water, barley, roast malt extract, hops, and brewer's yeast. A portion of the barley is roasted to give Guinness its unique colour and flavour.

Over the years, Guinness has introduced various beers to its portfolio, including:

• Guinness Draught: The standard draught beer sold in kegs, cans, and bottles, with an alcohol content ranging from 4.1% to 4.3%.
• Guinness Foreign Extra Stout: Sold in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and the United States, with an alcohol content ranging from 5% to 8% depending on the region.
• Guinness Special Export Stout: Commissioned by John Martin of Belgium in 1912, this variety is pasteurised and has an alcohol content of 8%.
• Guinness Bitter: An English-style bitter beer with an alcohol content of 4.4%.
• Guinness Extra Smooth: A smoother stout sold in Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria, with an alcohol content of 5.5%.
• Guinness Zero ABV: A non-alcoholic beverage sold in Indonesia.

Guinness has also experimented with non-beer products, such as Malta Guinness, a non-alcoholic sweet drink produced in Nigeria and exported to other countries, and Guinness Mid-Strength, a low-alcohol stout test-marketed in Ireland.

In addition to its beers, Guinness has a strong association with Ireland and Irish culture, especially during St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The brand has a tourist attraction, the Guinness Storehouse, at its original St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, which has received over 20 million visitors since opening in 2000.

Guinness is now owned by the British company Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, with over 200 brands and sales in nearly 180 countries. In addition to Guinness, its leading brands include Smirnoff, Baileys liqueur, Captain Morgan rum, Tanqueray, and Gordon's gin. The company operates from 132 sites worldwide and is a major distributor of Scotch whisky, producing 40% of all Scotch whisky across over 24 brands.

As a result of the merger, Diageo inherited a diverse portfolio of brands, businesses, and assets outside the core alcoholic drinks category. Over time, the company has divested these non-core assets to focus on beverages. For example, they sold the Pillsbury Company and the Burger King fast-food chain in 2000 and 2002, respectively. Diageo has also made significant sales in the beer and wine categories, such as selling the Red Stripe beer brand and the rights to Guinness in some territories to Heineken in 2015.

Despite rumours and speculation, Diageo has denied plans to exit the beer market entirely or sell the Guinness brand. In fact, they have continued to invest in Guinness and expand its presence globally. In 2017, Diageo introduced a new filtration process, making Guinness suitable for vegetarian and vegan consumption. They have also opened new breweries and tourist attractions, such as the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Chicago and Baltimore, Maryland.

Guinness is suitable for vegans and vegetarians

Guinness, the famous stout beer, is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. Guinness has been brewed for over 260 years and is one of the world's most popular drinks, with 10 million pints consumed daily and 1.5 billion pints enjoyed annually.

Until 2016, Guinness was not suitable for vegans due to its manufacturing process, which used isinglass, a collagen product made from fish bladders, to remove extra yeast and create a clear, uncloudy beer. In 2015, Guinness's parent company, Diageo, announced it would be implementing a new filtration system to eliminate isinglass from the manufacturing process, making Guinness suitable for vegans. In April 2016, Diageo confirmed that all kegs of Guinness on the market were vegan-friendly and made using a new process that does not use isinglass. Finally, in 2018, Diageo confirmed that all Guinness products worldwide, including Guinness Draught, Guinness Extra Stout, and Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, are now isinglass-free and suitable for vegans.

Guinness is made from four main ingredients: roasted and malted barley, hops, water, and yeast. Its signature foamy white top is formed when the beer is poured, causing bubbles of nitrogen and carbon dioxide gas to surge and create the frothy topping.

While Guinness is now vegan-friendly, it's important to note that non-beer products carrying the Guinness name and logo, such as crisps, fudge, and pretzels, may not be vegan. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check the label for the ingredients and refer to reliable sources if you're unsure about a particular product.

The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is the company's most popular tourist attraction

The Guinness Storehouse experience allows visitors to learn about the legendary six-step ritual of pouring the perfect pint of Guinness and even print their selfie on the head of their pint. The Connoisseur Experience offers a tasting and storytelling journey, delving deeper into the origins and tastes of Guinness. Additionally, the Guinness Brewery Experience takes visitors on a journey through the working brewery at St. James's Gate, which has been in operation for over three centuries.

The Storehouse regularly hosts cultural events, such as live performances by local musicians and art collaborations, enhancing the overall experience for visitors. The nearby Guinness Open Gate Brewery, just 400 meters from the Storehouse, is another popular destination for those seeking to sample experimental beers not found elsewhere.

The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin provides a unique and immersive experience for visitors, offering a combination of history, entertainment, and exceptional food and drink, making it a popular attraction for tourists and beer enthusiasts alike.

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