A few weeks ago an
event popped up on Facebook on someone else’s wall that I had to jump on: a
private Guinness event with free beer! I was in Brisbane in 2009 during the 250
year anniversary but did not partake in any of the festivities; this was the time
to make up for it. V & Y were going with, but V had to back out last minute
due to the flu. This one’s for you!
One of the reasons why
I started this blog was because of events like these, and the information (or
lack of) available on the internets. I read up on similar events in previous
years, but they were all in San Francisco. Information on how the event was
organized, run, and the expectations were hit or miss. This year’s tasting
events were located in SF, LA, and Denver; having it in Culver City meant that
my trek for dark beer would be close enough to home.
The event itself was
held at a private venue that seemed to be rented out for mini-galas, urban art
galleries, and low-key premieres. Parking out front was definitely a bonus, and
I met Alan, a guy that had went to CES the past 20 years, knew Steve Balmer, had
already traveled the world pre-9/11, and ran public access shows. A donation of
$5 to the LAFD fund and one gold token later, we were off!
The Guinness Harp centerpiece
Pints of half-poured stout, settling before its final pour
Various coasters from previous eras
The token itself
allowed you one pint of Guinness Stout, which I felt was more than enough for
the night. I’ve always wondered how a private event from a brewery would keep
people in line with alcohol consumption, and the token idea worked out fine.
The spread of hors d'oeuvre was not lacking; Ms. Fields cookies, custom-tossed
caramel corn with pine nuts, breaded chicken breasts sliced, samosas, quesadillas,
and chips. Y later told me that it was her first time drinking a Guinness; the
fact that it was less than 150 calories only made it better.
Cookies & mixed caramel corn
Round One!
A MC came out to
introduce everyone to Guinness, the history, and the art of the pour. Two
people were selected to see if they could master the 119.5 second dispensery of
one pint Guinness stout; the winner go a pretty nice Guinness track jacket. A
few videos showed what other beers Guinness distributed, and two were passed
out to sample. Some history included the fact that the same family that started
Guinness was also related to the ones that started the Guinness Book of
Records. Also, the mesmerizing wave after a pint has been poured is attributed
to the nitrogen used to store the stout, rather than the standard CO2.
Round Two!
The first was the Guinness
Foreign Extra Stout, a darker version of the Stout I had heard about after
trying a Rasputin a few weeks back. The 7.5% ABV was not immediately present,
but Y could not take it. More for me! Next up was a new beer Guinness would be
putting into the market: Guinness Black Lager. T
A mini-pilsner of Black Lager next to the Foreign Stout
I could see why it was
announced that we cannot take the glassware home; besides my SF Giants Pilsners,
I’ll need to get my Guinness pint glasses as well. After
the last tasting had went around, the bartenders started cleaning up and people
ushered themselves out. A few tried to beg for an extra pint, but the staff
were courteously strict in denying them. Oh, reminds me of the AAJA triva bowl….
They had a mini-replica of St. James Gate
Artsy pic courtesy of Y
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