by Al Butler
There are moments when I simply want to sit back with my friends and enjoy a beer or two. I find that the unpretentious nature of a pint, accompanied by loud boisterous laughter, draws me as a moth to flame. And as Beer is the world’s third most popular drink overall, behind water, and then tea, it’s no surprise that you can find thousands of different brands, made by hundreds of various breweries worldwide to choose from. Personally I am particular to Guinness, as I find “the black stuff” smooth and pleasing to consume, and as a bonus it comes from the finest island the world over, Ireland.
Now you can simply pour a pint and drink it to while away the hours or you can take a moment, and craft an eye catching beer drink called the “Half & Half.”
The Half & Half consists simply of half a pint of Harp lager (also made in Dublin) and half a pint of Guinness, and if the pour be done right the Guinness will sit on top of the Harp in the glass which is rather pretty indeed.
Ingredients:
Guinness half a pint
Harp lager half a pint
A pouring spoon or Turtle
Method:
Tilt your glass and pour in your Harp lager gently so as to reduce “heading” on the ale. Stand the glass upright on the bar and place your turtle or spoon on the rim. Next, ever so softly, start pouring your Guinness over the back of the spoon. Keep a steady hand and go slow, and you should have a nice looking drink with all gold on the bottom and black on the top when finished.
“Wait a Minute Al that’s a Black and Tan not a Half & Half or whatever you are calling it!”
No it is not! A Black and Tan is made with Bass Ale instead of Harp Lager, and though almost every drink with Guinness floating on top is called a Black and Tan these days the simple fact of the matter remains that each time you change the lager or ale to a different brand, the name changes too. Which for me is important, and if you find yourself in the Republic of Ireland someday it will be important to you too. Because if you order a Black and Tan in Eire, you just may find yourself out on your ass in the street wondering what the Christ just happened.
The term Black and Tan has a rather negative and offensive connotation to it in Ireland, as the Black and Tans was the nickname given to the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force, which became notorious for a brutal crackdown during the independence war. They murdered, tortured and looted their way across the countryside. They burned the city of Cork, and robbed the shops laughing; they assaulted women, and shot innocents indiscriminately. These “reserves” were so vicious and cruel to the Irish people that ninety two years after they were disbanded the mere mention of the Black and Tans riles people up.
So try to keep that in mind when you pop into any fine pub in the fair city of Cork.
The Half & Half is in no way snotty or uppity, no matter how hard Posers and Yuppies have tried to make it so, and its combination of smooth creamy stout and slightly light sharp lager make it a wonderfully delicious drink any time of the year.
Cheers
AL
 |
| A thing of beauty. |
There are moments when I simply want to sit back with my friends and enjoy a beer or two. I find that the unpretentious nature of a pint, accompanied by loud boisterous laughter, draws me as a moth to flame. And as Beer is the world’s third most popular drink overall, behind water, and then tea, it’s no surprise that you can find thousands of different brands, made by hundreds of various breweries worldwide to choose from. Personally I am particular to Guinness, as I find “the black stuff” smooth and pleasing to consume, and as a bonus it comes from the finest island the world over, Ireland.
Now you can simply pour a pint and drink it to while away the hours or you can take a moment, and craft an eye catching beer drink called the “Half & Half.”
The Half & Half consists simply of half a pint of Harp lager (also made in Dublin) and half a pint of Guinness, and if the pour be done right the Guinness will sit on top of the Harp in the glass which is rather pretty indeed.
Ingredients:
Guinness half a pint
Harp lager half a pint
A pouring spoon or Turtle
Method:
Tilt your glass and pour in your Harp lager gently so as to reduce “heading” on the ale. Stand the glass upright on the bar and place your turtle or spoon on the rim. Next, ever so softly, start pouring your Guinness over the back of the spoon. Keep a steady hand and go slow, and you should have a nice looking drink with all gold on the bottom and black on the top when finished.
 |
| Lovely. |
“Wait a Minute Al that’s a Black and Tan not a Half & Half or whatever you are calling it!”
No it is not! A Black and Tan is made with Bass Ale instead of Harp Lager, and though almost every drink with Guinness floating on top is called a Black and Tan these days the simple fact of the matter remains that each time you change the lager or ale to a different brand, the name changes too. Which for me is important, and if you find yourself in the Republic of Ireland someday it will be important to you too. Because if you order a Black and Tan in Eire, you just may find yourself out on your ass in the street wondering what the Christ just happened.
 |
| Black & Tans search a citizen, note the dead body in the background. |
The term Black and Tan has a rather negative and offensive connotation to it in Ireland, as the Black and Tans was the nickname given to the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force, which became notorious for a brutal crackdown during the independence war. They murdered, tortured and looted their way across the countryside. They burned the city of Cork, and robbed the shops laughing; they assaulted women, and shot innocents indiscriminately. These “reserves” were so vicious and cruel to the Irish people that ninety two years after they were disbanded the mere mention of the Black and Tans riles people up.
So try to keep that in mind when you pop into any fine pub in the fair city of Cork.
 |
| Eejit Poser with a Pint. |
The Half & Half is in no way snotty or uppity, no matter how hard Posers and Yuppies have tried to make it so, and its combination of smooth creamy stout and slightly light sharp lager make it a wonderfully delicious drink any time of the year.
Cheers
AL
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