black and tan

[mongo_jones]

is there a specific combination of stout and lager/ale that makes up the "original" black and tan?

[Carolyn Tillie]

50/50, as far as I know...

[mongo_jones]

i meant, a specific stout and a specific ale/lager. some claim it can only be a black and tan if the black comes from guiness.

what's the guiness and champagne thing called again? those are great!

[Squeat Mungry]

The Guinness/champagne is known as a Black Velvet. Equal parts. I believe the traditional Black and Tan is Guinness and Harp lager. Also equal parts.

Cheers,

Squeat

[jackal10]

Black and Tan is orginally Guiness and Porter.

Since true Porter is hard to obtain people use Guiness and MILD, or Guiness and Bass Pale Ale or Guiness and bitter. Porter and mild are quite sweet, not gassy beers, which is important for the taste.

Some layer the Guiness by pouring it carefully over a spoon or down the side of the glass over the mild beer.

Guiness and Harp is a "Half and half"

Edited April 22, 2004 by jackal10 (log)

[Carolyn Tillie]

i meant, a specific stout and a specific ale/lager. some claim it can only be a black and tan if the black comes from guiness.

what's the guiness and champagne thing called again? those are great!

And don't forget the Guiness & Hard Cider! Poor Man's Black Velvet...

[beans]

And please scroll down to see this recent discussion.

[fatmat]

Having worked in a varying collection of UK pubs, a Black and Tan is what the customer wants it to be. Each drinker has his own proportions. I learned that you never presume to know their recipe

[aiki_brewer]

Black and Tan  is orginally Guiness and Porter.

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Um, wouldn't that be a Black and Very Dark Brown?

I'll defer to the English bartender, though I've always heard either Guinness and Bass (mmmm, nationalist rivalry in a pint glass) or Guinness and Harp (though mixing ale and lager offends my zymurgian sensibilities). I've even once had Guinness and Sierra Nevada Pale ale served as a Black and Tan, but I wouldn't recommend it!

[Chrisser]

Okay, I'm a former pub waitress and here's the scoop.

Black and tan, usually Guinness AND either Smithwick's or Bass, depending on availability, and customer preference.

A Snakebite is lager, such as Harp, with cider. Strongbow and Black Sheep are 2 excellent imports.

Half and Half has to be a stout and a lager, for example Guinness and Harp. The Stout floats on the lager.

Finally, Black Velvet... Originally Stout floating on Champagne, but now usually Stout and Cider.

All of these should be poured properly (the stout over a spoon) and you should see the line between the two in the glass.

[spice]

A Snakebite is lager, such as Harp, with cider. Strongbow and Black Sheep are 2 excellent imports.

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This was a quite popular drink among my friends when I was in London for school many years ago, but I never knew what went into it. So, thanks for posting it. There was something else that we drank which had black currant juice (I think) in it (and maybe some sort of beer or cider). Any chance you know that one?

[Taboni]

This was a quite popular drink among my friends when I was in London for school many years ago, but I never knew what went into it. So, thanks for posting it. There was something else that we drank which had black currant juice (I think) in it (and maybe some sort of beer or cider). Any chance you know that one?

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I have had a few different variations on the snakebite while working in London, the most memorable being cider, lager, blackcurrant, and a shot of pernod. A couple of those at lunchtime worked a charm!

[spice]

I have had a few different variations on the snakebite while working in London, the most memorable being  cider, lager, blackcurrant, and a shot of pernod.  A couple of those at lunchtime worked a charm!

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Ah -- I think that is what I was actually remembering. I did pick up a bottle of black currant juice on the offchance I ever found out what was in these. Does anyone know the proportions? Is it equal parts the first three?

[Chrisser]

NO!! The blackcurrant we use in pubs is called ribena, it's a concentrate much like rose's lime or grenadine. It only takes an ounce or so! Otherwise, the choice of proportions is yours, I've frequently asked for a snakebite, 3/4 Cider and 1/4 beer. Not uncommon.

Just found a ribena thread: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=38629

Edited October 13, 2004 by Chrisser (log)