Thirsty Thursdays: Guinness Introduces Nitro IPA To Chicago

September 22nd, Guinness invited Chicago tastemakers, industry and media to sample the second edition in Guinness' Discovery Series - Nitro IPA (Go here to read more about Guinness Blonde). The Guinness Discovery Series is a range of 'fusion brew' beers that combine more than 255 years of European brewing expertise to offer more style, taste, and flavor to beer drinkers in the U.S.

Three Cheese Flatbread

Made in Dublin, Ireland at St. James's Gate, Guinness™ Nitro IPA is brewed with Irish barley malt, a touch of roasted barley and five hop varieties — Admiral, Celeia, Topaz, Challenger and Cascade. The Challenger, Cascade and Topaz hops are dry-hopped to accentuate a sharp citrus aroma. The beer's blend of CO2 and Nitrogen helps to balance out the profusion of hop flavors, while also creating the signature surge and settle made famous by Guinness™ Draught. The IPA is brewed with the same unique Guinness yeast strain used to ferment all stouts at St. James's Gate.

Steamed Pei Mussels

“IPAs are complex and hoppy, but for some beer drinkers the bitterness can be too much,” explained Luis Ortega, the brewer who created this beer’s recipe. “We aimed to make a balanced, smooth beer.  Guinness perfected nitrogenated beer more than 60 years ago, so we believed we could really add something new to the style. There's plenty of hoppy flavor, with citrus aroma to the fore, but the nitrogen rounds it all out. 

The mouthfeel is fantastic, and the use of Guinness yeast gives it an echo of the character of our famous stouts.”

Tuscan Kale Salad

Guinness™ Nitro IPA will be available in a six pack of 11.2 oz. cans, with a suggested retail price of $8.99 and 13.2G kegs. It is best enjoyed in a famous Guinness Gravity Glass, which is specifically designed to optimize the benefits of nitrogenation and the aroma of the beer.

Whiskey Braised Short Ribs

Guinness™ Nitro IPA can be enjoyed with a variety of dishes such as the ones we enjoyed (pictured above) during our tasting!

Guinness™ Nitro IPA is now on shelves nation-wide, and on tap in select bars across the country.  

To find out more about Guinness Nitro IPA go here.

Photo credits:  All photos courtesy of Desiree Sanders for C-Style Magazine