Visitors to the forthcoming Texas State Fair will be able to enjoy* what can rightly be described as a culinary first - deep fried Guinness.

Texan chef Mark Zable says he has wrestled for three years to encapsulate beer in a ravioliesque packet of pretzel-like dough which will survive 20 seconds in oil at 190°C.

Zable explained: "Nobody has been able to fry a liquid before. It tastes like you took a bite of hot pretzel dough and then took a drink of beer."

The inventor of Fried Beer™ will now do battle with seven other contestants at the State Fair's 2010 Big Tex Choice to take the ultimate fried fare crown.

The opposition includes Texas Fried Frito Pie, Deep Fried Frozen Margarita and, for those of you packing a personal defibrillator, the Deep Fried S’mores Pop-Tart® - a "sinfully diet-busting treat" of chocolate and peanut butter which is whipped from the oil and "drizzled with chocolate syrup and topped with whipped cream".

Last year's winner was Deep Fried Butter, although Fernie's Deep Fried Peaches & Cream took the "Best Taste" award. ®

Bootnote

* "21 and over, ID required," the Texas State Fair warns.