This blog is about beer and life.
Posts tagged black and tan
Black and Tan videos
Mar 15th
Ever since Ron posted his video on making a Black & Tan back in ’06 (then the updated version in ’08) “how to pour a black & tan” has been the most popular search term leading visitors to Hop Talk. Additionally, the traffic here really ramps up this time of year, peaking on St. Patrick’s Day and resulting in five to six times more visitors than usual.
They’re not Irish at all; they just use an iconic Irish beer. It seems odd for people to be so curious about them now. I suppose, though, that it’s a cut above “how to make green beer” (and significantly better than “when will my urine go back to its usual color”).
Anyway, if you’re looking for information on Black & Tans, you’ll find several links in the “Related Posts” section or with a quick search.
Are you planning on drinking something special for St. Patty’s Day?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLwmwt81NjM
Perfect Black & Tans
Feb 13th
I’ve been experimenting with different black and tans lately. I am looking for the perfect “tan” to go with the creamy, sweet, and not very strong tasting, Guinness. I’ve heard all the arguments between Harp, Bass, and what is “authentic”, but what I am looking for is what tastes the best.
I have tried some IPAs with the Guinness and they are a bit too strong. So far my favorite so far is a local pale ale, Brown’s Pale Ale, but still not great. I’m beginning to wonder if the simple, weak, Harp isn’t the best companion… What are your thoughts?
On a related note, my family got me a turtle for Christmas to assist in pouring a black and tan. If you are not familiar, it is used over a glass to help float the Guinness on top. It works really well; and my daughter even allowed it in my kitchen because it is a multitasker (bottle opener too).
Black and Tan (with some pizza)
The mulitasking turtle
Lá Fhéile Pádraig
Mar 17th
Today is Saint Patrick’s Day, a feast day that has been co-opted to celebrate Ireland and Irish heritage. Or, in the case of most Americans, parody it within an inch of its life as an excuse to drink one’s self silly.
There are plenty of other people who are lamenting what this holiday has become and doing it much more eloquently than I can, so I’ll leave that to them. (Have a look at our Beerroll or search on the Beer Blog Search Engine.)
As has become an annual tradition around here, Ron’s videos on pouring a Black and Tan have become quite popular in the last week or so, doubling and trebling traffic to those pages. Another Irish tradition that’s not really Irish, but they’re good nonetheless. (Update: today is officially our best day for web traffic ever.)
I am someone who actually has some Irish blood in my family (my maternal grandmother was processed through Ellis Island when she came over in the twenties). I’ll just spend a quiet evening at home with some nice American craft beer and wondering what that earnest missionary from Roman Britain might have to say about all this.
Whatever you’re doing to celebrate, have fun and be safe.
Saranac Black & Tan
Jan 24th
Beer-a-Day #24
I don’t generally go in for blends, but I like most of Saranac’s line.
Deep brown with red highlights, chunky head. Light mouthfeel, with some nuttiness and a good bunch of hop bitterness.
How to Pour a Black and Tan – Take 2
Mar 3rd
Different glass, different tune, same juice of the barley in my new Barley Room…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLwmwt81NjM
I did this in the *gasp* sunlight, so you can see the separation better. Note the upside-down spoon, as well.
Cheers!
How to Pour a Black & Tan
Nov 16th
Updated: How to Pour a Black and Tan – Take 2
My previous article told you all about What is a Black and Tan; now you get to see one poured for yourself.
Pouring a black and tan is easy. The basic steps are:
- Pour half of a bottle of Bass Pale Ale in pint glass
- Gently, fill the glass the rest of the way with Guinness by pouring the stout over the back of a spoon.
The real trick is to get the Guinness in as gently as possible and the spoon helps accomplish this by dispersing the liquid. Traditionally, you use the back of the spoon like the “black and tan spoon” shown below. However, I have found the best means to get the Guinness in there without disturbing anything is to have it trickle lightly down the inside of the glass. Using the front side of the spoon in contact with the glass seems to do the same, if not better.
