As a college student and a regular consumer of Keystone Light and Franzia boxed wine, I had never experienced the greatness that is Guinness beer. Before I tried this stout ale, I was accustomed to nearly clear-colored beers and “bitch” drinks like Smirnoff that camouflage alcohol with fruity syrups. As I popped the top of my bottle of Guinness, there was nothing I could do to prepare myself.

In the simplest of terms, it’s rich. Mixed with 75 percent nitrogen, the stout ale has a creamy head when drawn from the tap or from the bottle. The tight head is actually a result of the “surge” of nitrogen and carbon dioxide gas bubbles. Most non-stout beers contain predominantly carbon dioxide, not nitrogen, making a less foamy beer.

Pouring the Guinness Draught requires a “two part” pour, which consists of filling the cup three-quarters of the way, letting it rest, and then filling the remaining quarter of the glass. When drunk from the bottle, Guinness has a small cylindrical plastic piece called a widget at the bottom that pops up and down before and after each sip to maintain this nitrogen level and creamy foam. Don’t worry about it coming out in the neck of the bottle when it gets turned upside down, though; the widget is too big to fit through the neck.

All this science in the bubbly foam consequently calls for a particular way to drink a glass or a bottle. Once you’ve opened the bottle or been served your glass of Guinness Draught, it is crucial that you wait 119.5 seconds (approximately two minutes) before you take a gulp. While amateur Guinness drinkers might not be able to notice a difference in the taste, veteran Guinness enthusiasts wouldn’t dare jump the gun.

With Guinness’ history in marketing the beer with the tagline “Guinness is Good for Your Health,” this drink has a traditional toast to go along with the delightful taste. As seen in an episode of Three Sheets with Zane Lamprey, this drink is customarily toasted with the word “Sláínte,” which in Ireland means “to good health.” Locals explain to Lamprey that in the early years of Guinness doctors even prescribed it for ailments, proving that its dark color and rich taste made it easy for anyone to seek an excuse to drink Guinness. Considering recent studies, the Guinness tagline that stuck with the company may not be all that out of line after all. Having similar antioxidants to those found in fruits and vegetables, the stout ale could actually be good for the heart.

Article Author: Autumn Huffman

I'm a junior professional writing major with a minor in art history at the University of Oklahoma. I like to think my writing reflects my background in fine arts whether it be fiction, a review or a journalistic piece. …

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