Last updated at 11:26 26 October 2006

Guinness is going out of the black and into the red. But devotees of Ireland's national tipple need not worry, the world-famous brewer is not going bust - it is about to produce a red version of its stout.

Guinness Red is the latest variant to be developed by the good folk in Dublin. Hops, water and yeast are combined as usual but the barley is lightly roasted, giving it a rich red complexion.

This gives the drink a 'well balanced, bittersweet character', the brewers claim. The new stout will contain similar alcohol levels to the other versions of Guinness, about 4.1 per cent, and will also cost the same. It will keep its distinctive white head and will require the same patience-testing two-step pour.

The rosey tipple is being tested in a number of pubs across Britain. But a spokeswoman for parent company Diageo admitted there were no plans to market the 'red stuff' in Ireland. She said: "It is being tested on a limited basis but Guinness Red is only intended for the British market."

It is the first major new product launch by Guinness in Britain since it brought out its 'Extra Cold' variety in 1999. There are three Guinness variants currently on sale: Draught, Original and Foreign Extra Stout.

In Ireland, the firm is testing a version called Guinness Mid- Strength, which has an alcohol content of 2.8 per cent by volume.

Sales of its stouts in Britain are running at a record £1billion a year. And Guinness recently became the fourth most popular draught beer in British pubs by volume sales.

But industry experts have questioned whether Diageo can continue to boost sales in saturated markets.