What’s this? Guinness Irish Wheat? Could have fooled me. A pour and a sip revealed a beer a lot like Guinness German Wheat. I was a little skeptical about this one going in, thinking it more of an American wheat type beer, but lo and behold the beer was closer to a classic hefeweizen. There’s even a little yeast in the bottom of the bottle.
For many years, Guinness has been mostly a one-trick pony, with variations on its flagship stout the main attraction. To be fair, there was Harp lager, but still they were known for their stout more than anything else. Responding to the modern craft beer consumer’s tastes, that has changed, and Guinness has been introducing more and more styles of beer. Guinness Irish Wheat is another example.
From the bottle label:
The Brewers Project
St. James Gate, Dublin
A group of enterprising brewers on a quest to explore new recipes, reinterpret old ones and collaborate freely to bring exciting beers to life. Brewed with Guinness Ale yeast and 100% Irish wheat. This is a clean, crisp refreshing tasting beer with notes of zesty citrus, subtle clove and banana.
Still though. Clove and banana from Guinness Ale yeast? Those characteristics are associated with German wheat beer yeast. Guinness explains more on their website:
A long fermentation with the classic Guinness yeast strain brings out subtle banana, clove and citrus notes—flavors we hold back in our stouts but let loose in our perfectly balanced Irish Wheat.
Interesting indeed, and reason alone to try Guinness Irish Wheat. You’ll also want to try it because it’s delicious.
Guinness Irish Wheat has an alcohol content of 5.3% by volume and runs $7.49 a six-pack, a great bargain indeed.
Guinness Irish Wheat pours to a cloudy blonde color after I rouse the yeast with light citrus and clove in the nose. Taking a sip, I get tart wheat up front followed by quite the wallop of banana and clove, more than I was expecting in fact. A balanced tart wheaty finish dries the beer and makes it quenching.
Guinness Irish Wheat is a decent take indeed on a classic German wheat. I can’t think of higher praise than that.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler