Stout popularity soars.

[Davegase]

It seems that since Brewdog brought Black heart to the market there is a lot more interest in that type of stout, with many more breweries entering the ring.
Should Guinness be thanking Brewdog for entering the stout market ?

 

[The Baron]

I think Guinness have dropped the ball on this one as ,many pubs have found alternatives and of course some drinkers may not return to it.
I for one found it my last choice in a pub for years as it is nothing special as Porters/Stouts go.

 

[Davegase]

I think Guinness have dropped the ball on this one as ,any pubs have found alternatives and of course some drinkers may not return to it.
I for one found it my last choice in a pub for years as it is nothing special as Porters/Stouts go.

Back in the late 80s I always preferred a Beamish.
At that time in Britain it was Guinness, Beamish or Murphy's.

 

[Bitter_Dave]

Isn't the story that Guinness has become unbelievably popular because 'influencers' have been promoting it on the internet? Not sure Brewdog can be thanked for that. I went bowling with my family yesterday and they had run out of Guinness, so I had to drink Biara Morretti (shudder). Sad state of affairs when you can't rely on Guinness to be there as a back up drink. But I'm sure Brewdog will say they invented stout, or some such nonsense.

 

[Moe]

I quite like Guinness- it’s always a consistently good back up beer if there are no ales on, even if it’s always served too cold.

There are however much nicer stouts available

 

[Stu's Brews]

Brewdog brought Black Heart to the market (or more accurately, rebranded and probably tweaked the recipe of their old Jet Black Heart) as a direct reaction to both Guinness becoming the highest grossing beer in the UK and the success of Anspach & Hobday's London Black. The branding of Black Heart is very clearly inspired by London Black.

There have already been many imitators of its branding—perhaps an indicator of how well received London Black has been by drinkers—but, crucially, not using real gold. These include Extra Black from Campervan Brewery in Edinburgh and Black Heart from Aberdeenshire’s perennial miscreants BrewDog.

Source: https://www.pelliclemag.com/home/20...anspach-and-hobdays-london-black-nitro-porter

Brewdog have done nothing more than jump on the gravy train already started by others. It's not very 'punk' of them to be trying to squeeze out a little guy to sell a few more pints themselves.

 

[Sadfield]

I think it more likely down to tedious people wanting to "Split the G"

 

[Davegase]

Brewdog brought Black Heart to the market (or more accurately, rebranded and probably tweaked the recipe of their old Jet Black Heart) as a direct reaction to both Guinness becoming the highest grossing beer in the UK and the success of Anspach & Hobday's London Black. The branding of Black Heart is very clearly inspired by London Black.


Source: https://www.pelliclemag.com/home/20...anspach-and-hobdays-london-black-nitro-porter

Brewdog have done nothing but try and jump on the gravy train already started by others. It's very 'punk' of them to be trying to squeeze out a little guy to sell a few more pints themselves.

It's not difficult to understand how Guinness became the highest grossing beer in the UK, you have hundreds of different lagers and ales to choose from wherever you are in the UK but how many stouts.

The fact that Brewdog are now a global brand and despite choosing to produce alcopops has increased interest in stouts to a wider market .

 

[Stu's Brews]

The fact that Brewdog are now a global brand and despite choosing to produce alcopops has increased interest in stouts to a wider market .

I really don't think this is the case. As others have said, Guinness have made a massive marketing effort (which has included using 'influencers') towards the younger generation and, in particular, female drinkers:
https://www.theguardian.com/busines...o-british-pubs-as-popularity-soars-with-gen-z

I am struggling to see what Brewdog have really done, other than cash in on other people's success.

 

[The Baron]

I'll tell you what Brewdog have done they have made a better tasting product than Guinness.

 

[Stu's Brews]

I'll tell you what Brewdog have done they have made a better tasting product than Guinness.

I'll have to take your word for it. Pretty sure I've not had one since it was called 'Jet Black Heart' and it has presumably changed since.

Still not convinced that is the reason for the increased popularity in stouts though.

 

[The Baron]

I have got to say I am not a Guinness fan I also do not go with that it tastes better in Ireland, that is somebody wearing rose tinted glasses as it comes from the same place in the same barrels and it is down to the way a Landlord keeps it and how it is poured.
Ps I prefer Beamish and Marstons Oyster to big G anyway

 

[Davegase]

I'll have to take your word for it. Pretty sure I've not had one since it was called 'Jet Black Heart' and it has presumably changed since.

Still not convinced that is the reason for the increased popularity in stouts though.

I'm not saying it's better than Guinness but I do prefer Black heart, although they haven't managed to match head !
At least in the canned version !
I've still not tried it on tap.
Another criticism is can size!
Whats the point of having a nice Black heart glass if the can won't fill it !

 

[Bitter_Dave]

I've got no desire to buy products from Brewdog, so I will will stick with the yoof and will continue to buy Guinness ;-)

Alcohol free Guinness is by far the best non-alcoholic beer imo

 

[Stu's Brews]

Alcohol free Guinness is by far the best non-alcoholic beer imo

It's definitely up there for me. Not many non-alcoholic versions of a beer that could almost pass as the real thing.

 

[The Baron]

I will give you that the 0% Guinness is one of the best AF drinks out there as per the original but Guinness is well overrated as a drink so many better stouts out there

 

[Davegase]

I've got no desire to buy products from Brewdog, so I will will stick with the yoof and will continue to buy Guinness ;-)

Alcohol free Guinness is by far the best non-alcoholic beer imo

I do have the occasional Guinness zero.
I have no desire to buy products from Brewdog, or any other breweries.
I just buy the particular beers that I like regardless of who brews them !

 

[Leon103]

I think it more likely down to tedious people wanting to "Split the G"

This is what is behind it.

 

[Frisp]

Could it simply be down to the market becoming jaded at designer lager ?

 

[MickDundee]

I quite like Guinness- it’s always a consistently good back up beer if there are no ales on, even if it’s always served too cold.

There are however much nicer stouts available

Even as an 18/19 year old macro lager drinker experimenting with other beers, I knew that Guinness out of the “normal” font tasted better than the Guinness Extra Cold tap. Not sure what the obsession with cold Guinness is.