By Alan J. Wax
Guinness is going upscale.
The Irish brewer, best known for its iconic stout, is introducing a limited edition, ultra-premium amber ale called Guinness The 1759.
The brew’s grain bill includes traditional barley malt as well as peated malt usually used for making Scotch and Irish whiskies.
“The fine peated whisky malt used in the Guinness The 1759 brewing process brings a complex taste to the amber ale that gently complements the hop flavors, resulting in a liquid that is distinguished and innately Guinness.” said Michael Donnelly, master brewer at Guinness’ St. James’s Gate brewery in Dublin.
Donnelly described the new brew as having a rich butterscotch aroma with subtle hop notes and mellow caramel flavors combining with a subtle hop character along with fruity sweetness from a strong ester profile. Guinness recommends drinking the 9 percent ABV beer from a 6 oz. Champagne flute.
The new beer is to be the first in series of limited “Signature Series” brews to be produced at Guinness’ Brewhouse No. 4 at St. James’s Gate. Only 90,000, corked and capped 750ml bottles were produced. The beer, packaged in a black velvet-lined gift box, will retail for about $35.
The beer’s name is derived from the year founder Arthur Guinness signed the 9,000-year lease at St. James’s Gate in Dublin,
Distribution at selected bars and retailers is expected to commence by the end of October. It will also be sold online at reservebar.com
Guinness officials credit the growing U.S. craft beer market as a force behind the new brew. Most of the production will be shipped to the U.S.
“The United States is driving a beer renaissance that hasn’t been seen globally for decades,” Doug Campbell, Guinness brand director, said in a statement. “Today, the expectations of beer connoisseurs and enthusiasts are significantly higher.”
Earlier this year, the company debuted Guinness Blonde American Lager ($8.99 a six-pack), the first offering in the new Guinness Discovery Series.
We’re anxious to sample this brew, but wondering if it’s worth the price. Would you buy this brew?
Bollocks.
Where can I buy Guinness the 1759
You can buy via the online link in the blog post, or check out a good beer retailer.
These are available at Shoreline Beverage in Huntington!
It will probably sell out as a curiosity item, but have little residual interest like many ales seeking to capitalize on their names. Shoreline Beverage, which has noted it has this unique item in stock, already has a wonderful collection of beers that will walk all over this beer, if the Guinness track record of making beers for the “USA Market” rings true.