Its history may be vague and the name and beers may change, but it will always remain the beer of ambivalence.

For a drink that’s more or less for the decidedly undecided, it’s almost too fitting that no one can quite decide what exactly what one is or even sometimes what to call it.

Where it Began

The history from what we can find from our extensive research (as in, according to Wikipedia), is that the Black and Tan reigns from seventeenth century England, because they used to blend beers back then. Well. That’s the end of that. That, however, is where the ease of this story ends and things get a little… muddied.

The Concoction

Ultimately a black and tan is a layered beer cocktail made out of two brews: a lighter brew (usually a pale ale) and a darker brew (usually a stout). The lighter beer goes on the bottom, and the stout is then very slowly and carefully poured to “float” on top. While this makes a lovely presentation, if you mess it up the flavor is the same. Think about it for just a second; when you tilt it to drink it, the bottom beer does, indeed, still make it into your pie hole. It’s physics. The standard beers are Bass (pale ale, bottom) and Guinness (stout, top). Some adhere strictly to this definition of a Black and Tan, often claiming that when you use Harp it’s called a Half and Half, which brings us to our next point…

What’s in a Name?

Supposedly in Ireland they dislike the term Black and Tan at all (due to a bad association Royal Irish Constabulary’s “Black and Tans”). However, in England a half and half can mean several things: a mixture of a mild and a bitter, or in some parts of the country you’d get a blend of IPA and Scotch Ale. But in Scotland watch out, because if you order a half and half you’re getting a shot of whiskey and a half of a beer. Presumably to chase the whiskey (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

In America, the verbiage is so confusing even Wikipedia contradicts itself, saying that Half and Half (capitalized) is Guinness and Bass, half and half (lower case) is a generic Guinness draft, but then goes on to say that in the US a Black and Tan is Guinness and Bass and a Half an Half is Guinness and Harp and…. well you get it. To be safe, specify to your bartender which pale beer you would like on the bottom of your beer blend and maybe call it a Half and Half when in Ireland.

If you’re looking for coffee creamer, get the heck outta here.

Looking for a Black and Tan in Dallas? Come by Rabbit Hole Brewing! For a limited time we’re stocking a two-pack of 500 ml bottles – Negro Snark (Export Stout) and Palace of Dreams (Pale Ale) to pour the perfect Black and Tan! For a couple tips on pouring the perfect layered beer, refer to Tom: