A little bit about… Irish Stout

Irish Stout

This style was originally brewed to capitalise on the success of London porters. Guinness began brewing porter in 1799 a 'stouter kind of porter' in 1810. They were among the first to use the black patent malt which was the result of barley roasting innovation from Daniel Wheeler's invention of the drum roaster in 1817. They started using roasted barley after World War 2.

Irish stout uses roasted barley, flaked barley and pale malt often with chocolate or other dark speciality malt varieties. It should be black with a pronounced roasty flavour with coffee notes. It could be well balanced or very bitter. Balanced versions have a slight sweetness where as bitter versions can be dry.

Colour: Brown to black (25-40 SRM)

Perceived Bitterness: Pronounced (25-45 IBUs)

ABV: 4 - 4.5%

Related styles: Foreign Extra Stout, Imperial Stout, Sweet Stout, Oatmeal Stout

Featured beer: O'Hara's Irish Stout

If you are interested in learning more about beer styles, we look at a different style in depth every month in my beer membership, The Beer Tent Society. This month join us to look at Czech Premium Pale Lager here.