Black and tan
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Black and Tan is a style of beer made from a blend of a pale ale and a dark beer such as a stout or porter. Sometimes a pale lager is used instead of ale; this is more usually called a half and half. In Ireland both Stout and Ale drinkers may order a black and tan for variety. Contrary to popular belief however, Black and Tan is not a drink commonly consumed in Ireland.
History
The style is believed to have originated in pubs in the British Isles with drinkers ordering a mix of dark stout and draught bitter. The name is first recorded in 1889 [citation needed], though an earlier origin of an 18th century blend of porter and pale ale has been conjectured. Several American breweries currently make premixed Black and Tan, and it is a popular blend at American bars. One of the oldest and best known commercial examples is Yuengling's Original Black and Tan. However, it is not made in Irish or British breweries, and requesting the drink in pubs may be greeted with a certain degree of puzzlement as Guinness is not usually mixed with other beers or ales.
The name "black and tan" had earlier been applied to dogs, such as the black and tan coon-hound. It was later used as a nickname for the Black and Tans paramilitary reserve during the Irish War of Independence. In March of 2006, Ben and Jerry's released an ice cream flavor in the United States for Saint Patrick's Day inspired by the drink; the name offended Irish nationalists because of the paramilitary association. Ben and Jerry's has since apologized. A spokesman told Reuters, "Any reference on our part to the British Army unit was absolutely unintentional and no ill-will was ever intended."
The most common Black and Tan in the United States uses Guinness Draught (not Extra Stout) and Bass. The Guinness is "layered" on top of the ale, taking advantage of the fact that Guinness is carbonated (nitrogenated) with a (lighter gas) mixture of nitrogen (N2 28g/mole) and carbon dioxide (CO2 44g/mole), versus Bass being carbonated with only CO2. The Saranac Brewery of Utica, NY, USA also sells a bottled Black and Tan, which is a blend of stout and pale lager (according to their website).
To prepare a Black and Tan in the American way, first fill a glass halfway with the ale, then add the Guinness Draught (from the can, bottle, or tap). The top layer is best poured slowly over an upside-down tablespoon placed over the glass to avoid splashing and mixing the layers. A specially designed black-and-tan spoon is bent in the middle so that it can balance on the edge of the pint-glass for easier pouring.
In the United Kingdom, the correct way of preparing a Black and Tan is considered to be to pour half a pint of dark stout into a pint glass and then top up with draught bitter, so that both beers are thoroughly mixed together.
In the Republic of Ireland a Black and Tan is normally made from a half pint of Smithwick's topped off with Guinness. During the summer months, and some time for variety, stout drinkers may order a black and tan due to its lighter texture. Likewise ale drinkers may order a Smithwick's with a Guinness head. This is an ordinary pint of Smithwick's with the last inch or so topped off with Guinness.
In Australia, specifically New South Wales, a Black and Tan is made from half a schooner (425ml) of Tooheys New (a pale lager) and then topped up with Tooheys Old (a dark ale)
Variations
- Half and half
- Stout and lager (especially Harp Lager)
- Black and White
- Stout with any light colored beer.
- Black and Blue
- Stout with Blue Moon Belgian White. -Note: Black and Blue may also refer to Stout and blueberry Ale (such as made by Wachusett Brewing Company), Guinness and Pabst Blue Ribbon, Guinness and Labatt Blue. Typically refers to any variation of stout coupled with blueberry-flavored ales or brands with the name "Blue" in them. Be specific when ordering. Also known as an Eclipse in some bars.
- Black & Sam
- Guinness stout and Sam Adam's Boston Lager (also called a Patriot Pint or Boston Half & Half)
- Black and Orange
- Stout and pumpkin Ale (Also known in the Boston area as a "Black & Blumpkin", or a "Black-O-Blumpkin")
- Black Sap
- Stout and Sapporo
- All Irish Black & Tan/Pint of Special
- Guinness Stout and Smithwick's Irish Ale
- Pint of Special
- Similar to the all Irish Black and Tan served mostly in the west of Ireland. Made with more than 75% Smithwick's topped up with a Guinness head
- Garnet and Black
- A variation often found in Columbia, SC. Named after the school colors of the University of South Carolina, it features Killian's Irish Red and Guinness Stout.
- Sweet Black and Tan
- Sweetheart Stout and any light ale (e.g., 70 or 80 shilling)
- Philadelphia Black & Tan
- Half Guinness Stout and half Yuengling Lager
- Black & Gold
- Half Guinness Stout and half hard cider (e.g., Westons or Woodchuck). Sometimes referred to as a Snakebite. When made specifically with Woodchuck Cider it is also called a Stout Woody
- Black Christmas (or Kwanzaa)
- Guinness draught over Christmas Ale.
- Black & Red
- Half chocolate stout over half raspberry or cherry lambic
- Black & Red
- Half Guinness and half Red Stripe
- Black Hoe
- Half Guinness and half Hoegaarden.
- Thistle & Shamrock
- Beamish & McEwan’s, offered at The Pub in Oconomowoc, WI.
- Irish American
- Guinness and Budweiser. The name was coined in a Taco Mac in Atlanta in late 2004 and has since spread to encompass the Atlantic Coast of the United States.
- Irish Canadian
- Guinness and Molson Canadian
- Black Castle
- Half Guinness and half Newcastle Brown Ale.
- San Patricios
- Half Guinness and half any Mexican beer (Corona, Pacifico, Dos Equis, Negro Modelo)
See also
External links
- Ben and Jerry's flavor
- Ice cream, anyone? from the Irish Echo
- How to make an All-Irish Black and Tan from Google Video
- Dennis Judd: How to make a black and tan