"Half and Half" Harps Lager and Guiness Stout

3 out of 5 Hops


I only gave this combo a 3 out of 5 due to the Guinness bottle. Its really hard to get the right flavor at home without the nitrous pour. I only recently tried a Black and Tan at a pub, but it had Bass Ale versus Harp Lager. I don't know if this is just an American drink or if the Lucky Irish enjoy this as well. My guess is they laugh at this sort of thing. This is also my first taste of Harp Lager. It is a German Pilsener style beer that is light and refreshing. ABV is 5.0% and IBU is at 23.5. Not a bad lager at all. The Guiness is another story. Try as they may, the widgets are just not giving me the draught body and flavor. Oh well. Guinness itself is a great dry stout and calorie count is a low 125, for you dieters. ABV is a meager 4.3 and the taste is decent...just not the same as a bar. To pour a Black and Tan, pour the pale or lager first halfway. Next, pour the Guinness or a large, flat spoon slowly and let it run off the sides. The taste is good. Ale and lager together give this an interesting flavor. Its a nice pour for around the house or to show off for friends. Obviously, the first half is mainly stout and the second half is the lager. Sláinte!

Three Sheets Rover Irish Red Ale

5 out of 5 Hops!


This is another fine homebrew from my buddy Luke. This being a homebrew, it is a unique experience for every beer made. Sorry, not commercially available.....yet. This creation is a dark, hoppy red with a strong hop character and carbonation. Traditionally, most reds tend to be on the lighter, amber side. I love this bold in your face black beauty. It has a chocolate and coffee taste to me at the front and finishes dry with a moderate hop bitterness that works for me. Being a hop fiend, I appreciate a unique take on styles. Not sure what the ABV is but at half a glass so far I am warm and happy. Cheers brothers!

Xingu Black Beer

1 out of 5



As you may have noticed from my rating of this (beer?), I did not like it. Brewed by Cervejaria Sul Brasileira (no link) of Brazil this beverage is 4.7% ABV. I have seen this bottle for a while on the shelves and thought the labeling was cool and I like dark beers. So a "Black Beer" must be really dark and delicious, right? Wrongo Bucko! The beer was definitely dark but I did not detect much of a smell. The taste was more like a carbonated malted beverage instead of Beer. The overly sweet flavor also made me think it was an alcohol injected soda. Gross! If this is a Beer, I have no idea what style to label it. So, if you are feeling contradictory and monetarily wasteful ($1.89 a bottle); give this thing a try and tell me what you think. I would not recommend it. Pass me that PBR...in a can!