YumSugar

Guinness Tests Out Mid-Strength Beer

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:00:13 -0700

After more than 200 years, it appears Guinness is trying to make a splash with its new products. First, it unveiled its 250th Anniversary Stout, a limited-edition carbonated beer, and now it's begun testing out a version of the world's best-selling stout that contains less alcohol. In comparison to at least 4.1 percent in standard Guinness, Guinness Mid-Strength, as it's called, contains only 2.8 percent alcohol.

While the weaker brew, which was created partly as a result of the Scottish government's initiative to tackle irresponsible drinking, is currently only in select Scotland pubs, it could be offered widely if the trial proves to be successful in the next three months. Unlike the failed Guinness Light of the 1970s, the beer's producers claim Mid-Strength possesses the same taste and texture as Guinness with only a fraction of the alcohol.

Although many of you said you'd try out reduced-alcohol wine, I'm not sure how I feel about the Guinness. Guinness already has a built-in pacing mechanism - its richness and density. Moreover, people who dislike regular Guinness aren't likely to reach for the less potent version, and hard-core Guinness drinkers definitely won't. Guinness lovers: Would you?

Source: Flickr User [puamelia]

Guinness Unveils New 250th Anniversary Stout Beer

YumSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:00:11 -0700

Stout lovers get excited: for the first time since it began exporting to the US, Guinness is introducing a new stout beer to select markets.

On April 24, to celebrate its quarter-of-a-century draught legacy, Guinness is launching a limited-edition beer, 250th Anniversary Stout, which will be available in bars and stores in the US, Australia, and Singapore. The anniversary brew honors Arthur Guinness's signing of a 9,000-year lease in 1759 at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, where the company's flagship brewery is located.

Less creamy than its original counterpart, the special-release brew will have a heavy malt flavor and more effervescence, along with a slightly higher alcohol content. Instead of nitrogen and carbon dioxide (used in original Guinness draught), the new stout will use carbonation, as well as two types of malt, and triple hops. The resulting beer is intended to have a more refreshing taste and a simpler pouring process.

Unlike Guinness's famous two-part pouring process (which involves filling the glass 75 percent of the way at an angle, letting the surge of foam settle, and then topping it off with the rest), the anniversary stout can be poured at once.

Since I love a bold, zippy beer, this stout sounds like something I can get behind - possibly even more so than traditional Guinness. When April 24 arrives, stock up while you can, since the commemorative brew is only slated to be around for six months. Do you have plans to seek out the special-release stout?

Source

6 Scrumptious Uses For Stout Beer

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 05:50:59 -0700

Planning a boisterous bash for St. Patrick's Day? Chances are, you'll have plenty of Guinness - the famous Irish brew - on hand. Deliciously creamy, slightly sweet, and a tad bitter all at the same time, Guinness makes for a great drink on its own. But did you know the stout also packs a punch of flavor to many different types of dishes? Read on to find out what you can cook with yours.

View Slideshow ›

Guinness Takes the Cake

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:15:54 -0800

Every once in a while it's nice to have a little indulgence in life. This weekend, I made a decadent chocolate-stout cake to celebrate the start of the new year. The addition of Guinness creates an incredibly moist cake with a delicious, bittersweet aftertaste. For chocoholics, the cake is absolutely heavenly!

To balance the dense richness, I served each slice with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Whipped cream would also be lovely on the side. The original recipe calls for three, 8-inch cake pans, but I own 9-inch pans, so I halved the recipe and made a two-layer cake. To satisfy your chocolate craving, read more.

Chocolate Stout Cake
Bon Appétit

Ingredients

Cake
1 cup stout (such as Guinness)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sour cream
Icing
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 pound bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped

Directions

For cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper. Butter paper.
Bring the stout and butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
Add cocoa powder to the stout and butter mixture. Whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.
Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in large bowl to blend.
Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sour cream in another large bowl to blend. Add stout-chocolate mixture to egg mixture and beat just to combine.
Slowly Add flour mixture to the chocolate and egg mixture. Beat briefly on slow speed. Using rubber spatula, fold batter until completely combined. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
Transfer cakes to rack; cool 10 minutes. Turn cakes out onto rack and cool completely.
For icing: Bring cream to simmer in heavy medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chopped chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Refrigerate until icing is spreadable, stirring frequently, about 2 hours.
Place 1 cake layer on plate. Spread icing over. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining icing over top and sides of cake. Cut and enjoy.

Serves 12.

Print recipe with images | without images

View 9 Photos ›

Shake Things Up For St. Patti's Day

partysugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:18:57 -0700

One of the guys here at the Sugar HQ has been seriously craving milkshakes. He's talked about milkshakes so much that now I want one! Not just any old shake though, I'm hungry for a glorified adult one. This St. Patrick's Day version with a chocolate stout sauce is made by combining store-bought hot fudge with thick creamy beer. It would be an excellent conclusion to a St Patrick's Day dinner and loads of fun if served in shot glasses at a larger party. Sound scrumptious? Check out the recipe when you read more.

Chocolate Stout Shake
From Better Homes and Gardens magazine

Ingredients

1/4 cup chocolate stout beer or stout beer
1/2 cup prepared chocolate fudge ice cream topping
1/2 gallon vanilla bean ice cream
1 cup milk
6 purchased chocolate-and-nut-covered pretzel rods (optional)

Directions

In a small saucepan heat beer and chocolate topping until warm and combined. Cool slightly.
Meanwhile, in a blender combine ice cream and milk, half at a time. Cover and blend until combined.
Divide ice cream mixture among 8 glasses.
Drizzle with chocolate sauce and, if desired, serve with chocolate-covered pretzel rods.

Serves 8.

Print recipe with images | without images

Definition: Stout

partysugar — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 07:59:12 -0800

Stout:
A strong, very dark, heavy-bodied beer made from pale malt and roasted unmalted barley and (often) caramel malt with hops. Stout was first introduced by Guinness as an extra stout version of their porter. The new stout was darker, hoppier and richer than porter, which it gradually overtook in popularity. It has a deep, dark color and bittersweet flavor.

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Stout Spice Bread

YumSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:00:22 -0800

I've been longing to make my friends baked goods in some form other than Christmas cookies, and decided this stout spiced bread was different yet delicious.

I love the idea of individually sized breads, as well as the eco-friendly concept of reusing something disposable. To prevent sticking, remember to butter the canisters and let them cool slightly but not entirely before removing them from their cans. Your home will be filled with the aroma of sugar and spice - and your friends will all be indebted to you! To see the recipe, read more.

Stout Spice Bread
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups unsulfured molasses
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk
1 1/4 tablespoons finely grated orange zest
1 1/4 cups stout, such as Guinness, poured and settled
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting (optional)

Equipment: 4 clean 19-ounce soup cans (cannot be enamel-lined), free of sharp edges

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Using a pastry brush, generously butter the insides of four 19-ounce soup cans.
Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices; set aside. Put oil, molasses, brown sugar, eggs, yolk, zest, and stout in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium-low speed. Reduce speed to low; gradually add flour mixture.
Divide batter among cans, filling them no more than two-thirds full. Transfer to baking sheet. Bake until a cake tester comes out clean and breads are pulling away from sides. Cool in cans on wire rack 20 minutes; then unmold and let cool completely.
To package, return breads to clean cans. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving, if desired. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days.

Makes 4 individual breads.

Print recipe with images | without images

View 6 Photos ›

How Does a Sweetened Condensed Guinness Sound?

YumSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:28:31 -0800

Earlier this week, I tipped you off to the winners of the Chocolate Adventure Recipe Contest, and while the top three spots do sound delicious, I was more intrigued by the runner-up. The name is Chocolate Ginger Delight, and it's a Guinness stout with sweetened condensed milk, ground ginger, and chocolate. Creator Karen Ariele Imm has really taken this pub favorite to a new level. If it sounds intriguing to you, get the recipe when you read more.

Chocolate Ginger Delight
By Karen Ariele Imm, for the 2007 Chocolate Adventure Contest

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 oz Scharffen Berger 62% semisweet chocolate
1/8 tsp ground ginger
12 oz cold Guinness brand stout
Shaved chocolate (for garnish)

In a small, heavy-bottom sauce pan, over low heat, melt sweetened condensed milk and chocolate.
Remove from heat and whisk in ginger.
Place chocolate mixture into a medium-sized bowl. Set aside to let cool (between 5 and 10 minutes).
Pour Guinness over the chocolate mixture and stir until well combined.
Divide equally into two glasses.
Garnish with shaved chocolate and serve.

Print recipe with images | without images

Chocolate Stout Cake

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:41:05 -0800

View Slideshow ›

Stout Spice Bread

YumSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:05:30 -0800

View Slideshow ›