Source: Guinness

GUINNESS HAS ANNOUNCED its entry into the growing ‘craft beer’ market with two new beers, which will be sold in Ireland from next month.

One is called Dublin Porter, and the other West Indies Porter.

Guinness say that the new brews are “inspired by” brewing methods from the 18th and 19th centuries, and the company is emphasising tradition and history in its marketing materials. Here’s what we know about them:

Dublin Porter, which has its “origins in a 1796 entry in Guinness brewers’ diaries”, is slightly less alcoholic than normal Guinness at 3.8 per cent ABV. It is said to be “inspired by the golden age of porter in the 1880s”, and to taste:

Sweet and smooth with malt and dark caramel notes.

Source: Guinness

West Indies Porter, which the company says is based on “an 1801 diary entry for the first Guinness purposely brewed to maintain its freshness from one end of the world to another”, will be stronger than most commercial beers at 6.0 per cent ABV.

Tasting notes in publicity materials are:

Complex yet mellow, hoppy with notes of toffee and chocolate.

Source: Guinness

Craft beers have had an explosion of popularity in Ireland in recent years, with brews from companies such as O’Haras in Carlow and Waterford’s Dungarvan Brewing Company appearing in more and more pub fridges.

Guinness’ parent company Diageo has already attempted to build variety in its own offerings with the introduction of Smithwick’s Pale Ale, a paler and hoppier version of the beer, in 2011.

Both new beers are due to go on sale in pubs and off-licences on October 1 – Dublin Porter in bottles and on draught, and West Indies Porter in bottles only.