Love it or hate it - no, not Marmite... Guinness. (Guinness Draught)

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	Guinness Draught
Date:	07/10/08 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Health Benefits? Tradition.

Disadvantages: Many dislike it

The age old beverage...

It's amazing to think that Guinness was first made in Dublin around 250 years ago.

Ten years after its creation, the product was exported for the first time - six and a half barrels made the trip across the sea to England. Since then, the product has gained a worldwide appeal and is now a truly global beer.

Guinness is technically classified as a 'stout', which is defined as being a darker beer made using roasted barley and / or malts.

The product is said to have health benefits when consumed regularly. This is due to the fact that it contains antioxidants which can lower the levels of harmful cholesterol which line artery walls. However, like any alcoholic drink, consuming too much of it will negate any of its possible health benefits.

The taste of Guiness is rich and creamy but not too bitter - although this can vary quite a bit depending on the establishment you happen to be visiting. The head is very creamy, and according to Wikipedia, it's created by the beer 'being mixed with nitrogen when served'.

It's often traditional for the bar person to create a shamrock on this creamy head, using the beer tap as the drawing tool - However, I've seen some woeful attempts at this in various pubs, with the end results looking like squirrels ranging through to mangled genitalia.

Guinness is great if you fancy a change from lager and want a bit of flavour. It's quite a filling drink though, and in my opinion, makes you need the loo a fair bit more than with regular beer. However, I do find that i'll get less of a hangover if I stick to Guinness on an evening out.

Price wise, Guinness can vary dramatically depending on the venue. Generally expect to pay £2.50 a pint - although Wetherspoons are currently running their voucher promotion where it's only around £1.30.

Overall 9/10 times, Guinness for me is an enjoyable drink - although I know it can be a marmite love it or hate it kind of thing for many people!

Summary: Olde Age Beere