Guinness beer: the history of the brand and the most popular Irish stout
If you ask anyone to name the top 5 most popular dark beers, Guinness would definitely be on the list. This Irish stout is known all over the world, and drinking it has become a whole philosophy. Many Guinness fans travel thousands of kilometers to taste the legendary drink in its homeland, and the list of such fans includes real stars, such as director Chris Hayden. Why Guinness beer is known and loved in any part of the world — this article was analyzed in this article.
How it all began
The founder of the brand Arthur Guinness was born in 1725 in Ireland. At the age of 27 he inherited a large sum for those times — 100 pounds sterling — and decided to invest it in business, opening his own brewery in the town of Leixlip. In 1959 he moved to Dublin, and although the brewing industry was going through a bad time, he rented a derelict estate near St. James Gate for 9000 years, where he continued to brew his beer.
Despite the fact that beer production was in decline during those years, Guinness managed to spin out and even began exporting his products to England. After the death of the businessman, the brewery was inherited by his son, and then it was passed on to his children, until in the 1850s the next owner registered the Guinness trademark.
Few people know that the brewery’s creator, Arthur Guinness, did not brew stout at his brewery — only English ale and porter. Guinness Draught, which became famous all over the world, appeared only in 1956, on the 200th anniversary of the lease signed by Arthur Guinness.
The secret of success
Much of the popularity of «Guinness» is due to competent advertising. From the slogan Guinness is Good For You to the widest range of souvenir products. It is in Guinness invented the so-called «beer widget», which allows you to create a delicate creamy cap when filling from the bottle and tin can. The creators received a Royal Award for this development, and the know-how itself was recognized as the greatest invention of the last 40 years.
By the way, the Guinness Book of Records is also directly related to the brand — it was on the company’s initiative that it was first published in 1955. The idea of its creation was simple — to record in one place all the world’s achievements in order to solve the endless disputes of visitors to Irish pubs.
Of course, all these interesting points do not fuel interest in Guinness products. But not advertising alone — Guinness beer really has a rich, smooth, creamy flavor, which is dominated by burnt and smoky tones, as well as notes of black coffee and caramel. By the way, the drink owes much of its popularity to the «beer widget» — a nitrogen capsule that creates a recognizable foam cap when bottled. The flavor of the beer is muted, with notes of roasted malt, coffee and milk chocolate.
Looking for a place to try Guinness and other popular beers? Come to Lambic! Our chain of beer restaurants features hundreds of labels from around the world, as well as delicious food, great service and a cozy atmosphere. Come — we will find something to surprise you!
Japanese beer Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager
It is tacitly believed that the best beer is brewed in Europe — Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. However, there are other countries which produce high-quality foam, it is just that it is not so popular in Russia. For example, Japan. Connoisseurs will confirm: it is almost impossible to find tasteless beer in the land of the rising sun. On the shelves of Japanese stores there are both classic varieties and unusual labels. A bright representative of the latter is Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager. Let’s find out what exactly it is good for. Freshness and harmony The original Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager is brewed on the basis of Hitachino Nest Lager light lager, but with a secret ingredient. Yuzu juice, or Japanese citron, is added to the drink. Thanks to this fruit, the taste and aroma of the beer acquires characteristic citrus notes, refreshing sourness and piquant bitterness. In addition to yuzu itself, the flavor of Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager has notes of tangerine, grapefruit, malt and hops. And in addition to the citrus sourness, the full-bodied flavor also shows light malt notes. Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager is so refreshing and drinkable that it is often consumed without gastronomic accompaniment, as an aperitif. It is the perfect drink for hot weather or to quench thirst. This beer can also be served with light appetizers, salads and seafood. A bit of history If you want to delve more into Japanese beer culture, it’s also worth learning more about the maker of Hitachino Nest Yuzu Lager. This is a Kiuchi company founded by Kiuchi Nihei in the city of Naka in 1823. Initially, the company only produced sake, and later switched to other alcohols such as wine, liqueurs, and beer. In 1996, Kiuchi put beer production on stream by opening its own mini-brewery, Hitachino Nest. Hitachino is the old name of the province, which in ancient times was known for its fertile soils and abundant crops of grains from which excellent beer was brewed. Kiuchi products have repeatedly received prestigious awards at beer competitions and festivals, not only in Japan, but also abroad. The beer is appreciated for its excellent taste and quality, and the company itself is appreciated for its loyalty to tradition: since its foundation, for almost two centuries, it has been owned by the same family. Looking for a place to try Japanese beer in Moscow? Come to any Lambic beer restaurant. We have many interesting varieties that will pleasantly surprise you!
24 March 2025
Summer lambics: refresh yourself with a fruity beer from Belgium
When the thermometer is high, nothing is as refreshing as a cold beer. Especially if it’s lambics — a traditional Belgian sour beer with natural juice, which not only gives a pleasant coolness, but also pleases with deep flavor. Why fruit beer saves you in the heat Light sourness, sparkling «character» and juicy fruit notes make lambics an ideal drink for summer. Unlike heavy ales or bitter IPAs, fruit beers are easy to drink, almost like lemonade, but with a distinctive beer depth. It stimulates the appetite, quenches thirst and gives a feeling of freshness thanks to the natural juices in the composition — cherry, raspberry, peach or other fruits and berries. What to choose The best option for hot weather — sour lambics, which do not leave an unpleasant feeling of lusciousness, like a sweeter beer or soda. For example, the classic cherry Kriek MAX. The bright flavor of ripe berries and pleasant sourness make it perfect for a hot day. «Kriek» is not too sweet, with a slight tartness and a long aftertaste. If you like softer, sweeter options, Lindemans Pecheresse is your choice. This peach lambic has a honeyed and fruity bouquet, a light sparkle and velvety texture, and a slight acidity and refreshing note in the finish. A variant for cider lovers, but it’s still a lambic — Lindemans Apple. The drink has a bright rich taste, which perfectly balances the sweetness of red and sourness of green apples, pleasant aroma and refreshing aftertaste. Perfect for a hot day! How to drink lambics in the heat For a beer to be truly refreshing, proper serving is important. Lambics should be: — Cool down to 6-8°C — this will reveal all the nuances of flavor, but will not lose the freshness.— Serve in tall glasses — the flavor will «play». If desired, you can add ice to the drink, but do not get carried away — there is a chance to «dilute» the deep flavor of Lambic. And it is better to just have to go to Lambic! In our beer restaurants — a large selection of varieties from Belgium and other countries of the world. Proper serving of drinks, delicious food, cozy atmosphere and excellent service are guaranteed!
21 June 2025