There are some things I won't put on the beer blog - including some new gack called "Guinness Red". Apparently the much jiggered with recipe moves over the last few decades have done their deed leaving the brewer to consider "the brand is the asset" now that it has destroyed the actual drink:
The launch of Guinness Red is the latest in a series of slightly odd, innovative brand extensions for the famous beer brand, which has been hit with declining sales. In February, in time for St Patrick's Day, Diageo tied up with Marmite to produce a limited edition Guinness-flavoured Marmite spread, with just 300,000 hitting supermarket shelves. The company also launched the battery-powered "ultra-sonic" Guinness Surger that enables Guinness fans to create a proper "tight creamy" head to their beer when drinking at home. Perhaps the most bizarre brand extension was a tie-up with Northern Irish bread company Irwin's Bakery, to create - after two years of research and development - Guinness bread. Guinness Wholegrain Bread, which has 17% Guinness content, is described as "the perfect malty bread" by Irwin's.Stonch has it right: "If this diabolical stuff passed the taste test, I despair of the British people."

Comments
cm - August 29, 2007 9:57 pm
Note to self: Avoid Guinness Red when in Dublin next month.
Any other beer notes I should take with me?
ALan - August 29, 2007 10:00 pm
Ireland is a surprisingly crappy place for beer after you get over Guinness which is about 98% of all sales. Find some O'Hara if you want a complex stout.
Gorthos - August 29, 2007 11:11 pm
I love Guinness to the point of Avoidance. By staying away, I appreciate it more as my beverage of choice at going away parties, general quick pints with the boss and cliets and when I am trying to seem much more posh them my new-found pubmats in strange cities..
btw.. anyone know what to do in Nanticoke on a mon-wednesday evening in early september?
Hans - August 30, 2007 9:21 am
The Irish pubs were rife with Heineken when I was there in '05. Not being a beer snob, er, I mean, a beer afficionado, but merely an appreciater, I usually had Harp.
Alan - August 30, 2007 9:54 am
Temporary recipient?
cm - August 30, 2007 10:01 am
Harp is my new favourite.
Hans - August 30, 2007 10:34 am
Perhaps duct.
Hans - August 30, 2007 10:36 am
Enjoy your trip cm. It is a fascinating place. If you have any Irish heritage, you will enjoy it even more. And as for more beer notes, many of the locals seemed to prefer cider.