Black And Tan Beer: Where To Buy And Try

The black and tan is a cocktail made by layering a light-coloured ale and a dark stout. The drink is known by different names in different countries. In Ireland, it is called a half and half, while in Australia, a similar drink is made using Tooheys Old and New for the dark and pale beers, respectively. In the US, several breweries make pre-mixed black and tans, including Yuengling's Original Black and Tan.

Pubs/bars that serve Black and Tan beer

While Black and Tan is a popular beer cocktail, the name has violent and offensive connotations in Ireland. The drink is a combination of a pale beer (usually a pale ale) and a dark beer (usually a stout), and in Ireland, it is called a Half and Half. The term "Black and Tan" is associated with the British paramilitary soldiers who were sent to Ireland in the early 1920s to suppress the Irish independence movement. They were known for their brutal tactics and violent outbreaks, and as a result, the term is considered offensive to the Irish.

With that in mind, here are some pubs/bars that serve Black and Tan beer:

• The Black & Tan in Augusta, Maine: This Irish pub serves a variety of beers on tap, including Irish, English, and American options. They also offer a menu with Irish, English, and American pub fare and have a family-friendly atmosphere.
• Bars across the United States: In the United States, Black and Tan is a common drink seen in bars across the country. It is especially associated with St. Patrick's Day celebrations due to one of its ingredients being Guinness.
• Australian pubs: In Australia, a similar drink to the Black and Tan can be ordered, called a "Tooheys Recent." It uses Tooheys Old and Tooheys New for the dark and pale beers, respectively.
• Bars serving Yuengling's Original Black and Tan: Several American breweries make premixed Black and Tan drinks, including Yuengling's Original Black and Tan. You can find this drink at bars serving their products.

Remember, when ordering a Black and Tan, be mindful of your location and cultural sensitivities, especially in Ireland, where the term is considered offensive due to its historical context.

How to make a Black and Tan beer

A black and tan is a cocktail made by layering a light beer (usually a pale ale) and a dark beer (usually a stout). The drink is also known as a half and half, particularly in Ireland, where the term "black and tan" is considered offensive due to its association with the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force.

To make a black and tan, you'll need a pint glass, a bottle opener, and two beers: a pale ale and a stout. The traditional combination is Bass Ale with Guinness, but you can also use Harper if you're in Ireland or Sierra Nevada if you're looking for an alternative pale ale. For the stout, a nitro beer like Guinness Draught will work well, but you can also experiment with different stouts to find successful combinations that yield the best float.

Once you have your beers, follow these steps:

• Pour the pale ale into the pint glass, filling it about halfway. Pour aggressively to create a good head on top, which will help with layering.
• Slowly pour the stout over the back of a spoon, allowing it to gradually gather on top of the ale for a layered effect. The spoon will interrupt the flow and distribute the beer, allowing the two liquids to remain separate.
• Repeat the process for the second beer.

And that's it! You now have a delicious and visually appealing black and tan to impress your friends and family.

History of the Black and Tan beer

The history of the Black and Tan beer cocktail dates back to the 1700s in London, England, where consumers have blended different beers since at least the 17th century. During this time, beer blends or "three-threads" and "five-threads" were commonly consumed, with each thread being a different beer type blended into a single drink. The tradition of blending beers originated as a way for alehouses to avoid paying higher taxes on beer. By mixing a strongly taxed beer with one that was taxed at a lower rate, brewers and bar owners could increase their profits. This practice continued from the late 1690s to the 1700s.

The term "black and tan" was first used in the context of a drink in 1881, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, in the American magazine "Puck". The first recorded British use of the term to describe a beverage was in 1889. However, the name "black and tan" is considered offensive in Ireland due to its association with the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force, nicknamed the "Black and Tans". This paramilitary force was sent to Ireland in the early 1920s during the Irish War of Independence, and their actions resulted in violent clashes between the forces and the Irish people. As a result, the drink is usually referred to as a half and half in Ireland.

The Black and Tan cocktail is made by layering two beers: a pale beer (usually a pale ale) and a dark beer (typically a stout). The traditional combination is half Guinness, which is the darker beer, and half Bass Ale, which is the lighter beer. The "layering" effect is achieved because Guinness has a lower relative density than the pale ale. The drink is prepared by filling a glass halfway with pale ale, then slowly pouring the stout over an inverted spoon to create a distinct layer on top.

Why the term Black and Tan is offensive in Ireland

The term "Black and Tan" is considered offensive in Ireland due to its association with a dark period in the country's history. The drink's name is tied to the British paramilitary force, known as the "Black and Tans," which was deployed to Ireland during the Irish War of Independence in the early 1920s. This force was responsible for violent attacks and brutal suppression of the Irish independence movement.

The "Black and Tans" earned their nickname from the colours of their uniforms, a combination of dark green tunics and caps from the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and khaki trousers from the British Army. The force consisted mainly of unemployed former British soldiers who had served in World War I. They became notorious for their brutal tactics, including murder, arson, and looting, and reprisal attacks on civilians and civilian property. Their actions further fuelled Irish resistance to British rule and drew condemnation even in Britain.

The term "Black and Tan" carries a historical weight that cannot be ignored, especially in Ireland. Ordering a "Black and Tan" in an Irish pub is considered highly insensitive and offensive to many. The drink's name evokes memories of a violent and oppressive era in Ireland's struggle for independence. It is a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by the "Black and Tans" against the Irish people.

The offensive nature of the term "Black and Tan" is not limited to the beverage alone. In 2006, Ben & Jerry's released an ice cream flavour called "Black and Tan" for St. Patrick's Day in the United States, which sparked backlash from Irish nationalists due to its paramilitary association. The company eventually withdrew the flavour and issued an apology. Similarly, Nike faced criticism in 2012 for releasing a pair of shoes named "Black and Tan" as part of an Irish-themed design collection.

When in Ireland, it is advisable to refer to the drink as a Half and Half or a Light and Bitter to avoid causing offence. Respecting the historical context and choosing alternative names for the drink demonstrates cultural sensitivity and awareness of the painful legacy associated with the term "Black and Tan" in Ireland.

Alternative names for Black and Tan beer

Black and Tan is a beer cocktail made by layering a pale beer (usually a pale ale) and a dark beer (usually a stout). The name "Black and Tan" is considered offensive in Ireland, where the drink is called a "Half and Half" instead. This is because, in the early 1920s, a British paramilitary force nicknamed the "Black and Tans" was sent to Ireland to suppress the Irish independence movement, and their presence resulted in violent outbreaks.

• Half and Half: This is the name used in Ireland to avoid the offensive connotations of "Black and Tan". It usually refers to a combination of Guinness and Harp, another pale ale commonly found in Irish bars.
• Black and Blue: Blue Moon topped with Guinness.
• Black and Brown: Newcastle Brown Ale topped with Guinness.
• Black and Gold: Hard cider topped with Guinness. This is different from a Snakebite, which is lager and cider.
• Black Velvet: Guinness topped with champagne or sparkling wine.
• Black and Red: Raspberry lambic topped with chocolate stout, or Killian's Irish Red topped with Guinness.
• Black and Orange: Pumpkin ale topped with a stout.
• Black and White: Any light-coloured beer topped with a stout.
• Black Satin: Guinness over Guinness Black Lager.
• Black & Smooth: Guinness-made Kilkenny Cream Ale topped with Guinness.
• Blacksmith: Guinness poured over Smithwick's red ale.
• Black and Trash: Guinness on top of Miller or Bud.
• Black 8: Guinness over Olde English 800.
• Lando Calrissian: Guinness with malt liquor, substituting Colt 45.
• Black Eye: Guinness and Two Brothers Red Eye Coffee Porter.
• Chocolate-Covered Banana Bread: Guinness on top of Wells Banana Bread Beer.
• Innis & Guinness: Guinness on top of Innis & Gunn.
• Black Tire: Guinness over New Belgium Brewery's Fat Tire.

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