Guinness Unveils New Nitrogen-Infused IPA

Guinness Stout is world famous for its creamy, smooth body, and now the brewery is bringing those same attributes to its IPA.

Guinness has been producing its beers on draught with nitrogen for decades, having started in Ireland in 1964. The nitrogen/CO2 mix (heavy on the nitrogen) quickly became the beer’s trademark, and bars throughout the world serve Guinness on its distinctive nitrogen tap. For canned Guinness, the brewery developed the widget, an air filled plastic ball that floats in the can and aerates the beer as it pours, adding to the creamy texture and giving it the thick head it is famous for.
 

Now, Guinness is adding the same technology to its IPA, including the widget for cans. The nitrogen/CO2 blend is intended to mellow the traditional sharpness of the hoppy IPA style while still retaining the hop-forward flavor. While not all IPA fans may want their bitter beer mellowed, those who find hoppy beers too bracing may enjoy this smoother alternative.
 

The beer, with an ABV of 5.8% and 44 IBUs, was released in late September, and should be hitting stores throughout Europe, the US, and beyond. The IPA is made from Admiral, Celeia, Topaz, Challenger, and Cascade hops, and brewed with the same yeast as the traditional stout.
 

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