Black and Tan is a drink made from a blend of pale ale

Pale ale

Pale ale is a beer which uses a warm fermentation and predominantly pale malt. It is one of the world's major beer styles.The higher proportion of pale malts results in a lighter colour. The term "pale ale" was being applied around 1703 for beers made from malts dried with coke, which resulted in a...

, usually Bass Pale Ale, and a dark beer such as a stout

Stout

Stout is a dark beer made using roasted malt or barley, hops, water and yeast. Stouts were traditionally the generic term for the strongest or stoutest porters, typically 7% or 8%, produced by a brewery....

 or porter

Porter (beer)

Porter is a dark-coloured style of beer. The history and development of stout and porter are intertwined. The name was first used in the 18th century from its popularity with the street and river porters of London. It is generally brewed with dark malts...

, most often Guinness

Guinness

Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...

. Sometimes a pale lager

Pale lager

Pale lager is a very pale to golden-coloured beer with a well attenuated body and a varying degree of noble hop bitterness. The brewing process for this beer developed in the mid 19th century when Gabriel Sedlmayr took pale ale brewing techniques back to the Spaten Brewery in Germany and applied it...

 is used instead of ale; this is usually called a half and half

Half and half

Half and half refers to various beverages or liquid foods made of an equal-parts mixture of two substances, including dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks...

. Contrary to popular belief, however, Black and Tan as a mixture of two beers is not a drink commonly consumed in Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

. Indeed, the drink has image problems in parts of Ireland and elsewhere due to the association with the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force

Black and Tans

The Black and Tans was one of two newly recruited bodies, composed largely of British World War I veterans, employed by the Royal Irish Constabulary as Temporary Constables from 1920 to 1921 to suppress revolution in Ireland...

 which was sent into Ireland in the early 1920s and nicknamed the Black and Tans.

History

The style is believed to have originated in pubs in Britain

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 with drinkers ordering a mix of dark stout and draught bitter. The earliest recorded usage of the term in the Oxford English Dictionary

Oxford English Dictionary

The Oxford English Dictionary , published by the Oxford University Press, is the self-styled premier dictionary of the English language. Two fully bound print editions of the OED have been published under its current name, in 1928 and 1989. The first edition was published in twelve volumes , and...

 is from 1889, though an earlier origin of an 18th century blend of porter and pale ale has been conjectured. Several American breweries currently make premixed Black and Tan, and it is a popular blend at American bars. One of the oldest and best known commercial examples is Yuengling's Original Black and Tan.

The name "black and tan" had earlier been applied to dogs, such as the black and tan coon-hound. It was later used as a nickname for the Black and Tans

Black and Tans

The Black and Tans was one of two newly recruited bodies, composed largely of British World War I veterans, employed by the Royal Irish Constabulary as Temporary Constables from 1920 to 1921 to suppress revolution in Ireland...

 paramilitary reserve during the Irish War of Independence

Irish War of Independence

The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...

. In March 2006, Ben and Jerry's released an ice cream flavor in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 for Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick , the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of :Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion , the Eastern...

 inspired by the drink; the name offended Irish nationalists

Irish nationalism

Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...

 because of the paramilitary association. Ben and Jerry's has since apologized. A spokesman told Reuters

Reuters

Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...

, "Any reference on our part to the British Army

British Army

The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...

 unit was absolutely unintentional and no ill-will was ever intended."

The most common type of Black and Tan in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 uses Guinness Draught (not Extra Stout) and Bass

Bass (beer)

The Bass Brewery was founded as a brewery in 1777 by William Bass in Burton upon Trent, England. The main brand was Bass Pale Ale, which was once the highest selling beer in the UK...

, though variations using Harp Lager

Harp Lager

Harp Lager, is a pale lager brand created in 1960 by the Guinness Brewery in their Dundalk brewery. It is a leading lager brand in Ireland, and is also popular in Australia, Canada, Africa and the United States...

 instead of Bass are referred to as Half and Half. Guinness and Newcastle

Newcastle Brown Ale

Newcastle Brown Ale is a beer produced by Heineken International. It was introduced in 1927 by Newcastle Breweries. In 2005, brewing was moved out of Newcastle upon Tyne for the first time, to Dunston on the other side of the River Tyne, and in 2010 moved entirely to Tadcaster, North Yorkshire...

 is generally called a Black Castle. The "layering" of Guinness

Guinness

Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...

 on top of the ale or lager is possible because the relative density of the Guinness is less than that of the ale or lager.

To prepare a Black and Tan in the American way, first fill a glass halfway with the ale, then add the Guinness Draught (from the can, bottle, or tap). The top layer is best poured slowly over an upside-down tablespoon placed over the glass to avoid splashing and mixing the layers. A specially designed black-and-tan spoon is bent in the middle so that it can balance on the edge of the pint-glass for easier pouring.

In the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

, another way of preparing a Black and Tan is to pour half a pint of dark stout into a pint glass and then top up with draught bitter, so that both beers are thoroughly mixed together.

In the Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

 a Black and Tan is normally made from a half pint of Smithwick's

Smithwick's

Smithwick's is an Irish red ale style beer from Kilkenny in Ireland. Smithwick's is listed in the top five best tasting beers by the McHale beer rating club of Ireland. As of Autumn 2010, Smithwicks continues to be brewed in Dundalk and Kilkenny but tankers are sent to Dublin to be kegged for the...

 topped off with Guinness. This version is also sometimes referred to as a "Blacksmith" or a "Light and Bitter". During the summer months stout drinkers may order a black and tan due to its lighter texture. Likewise ale drinkers may order a Smithwick's with a Guinness head. This is an ordinary pint of Smithwick's with the last inch or so topped off with Guinness.

In Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

, specifically New South Wales

New South Wales

New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...

, a Black and Tan is made from half a schooner (425ml) of Tooheys New

Tooheys New

Tooheys New is a standard Australian lager and the most popular of the Tooheys' beers owned by the New Zealand Lion Nathan beverages company....

 (a pale lager) and then topped up with Tooheys Old

Tooheys Old

Tooheys Old is a dark ale type of beer produced in Australia by Tooheys. It has been brewed since 1869 and Tooheys began bottling it in 1970. It has 4.4% alcohol per volume....

 (a dark ale). In South Australia

South Australia

South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...

 Cooper's Best Extra Stout and Cooper's Original Pale Ale are used.

Variations

Half and half

Half and half

Half and half refers to various beverages or liquid foods made of an equal-parts mixture of two substances, including dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks...

: In Ireland, a traditional Half and Half consists of half warm or room temperature Guinness and half chilled Guinness. In the early days, refrigeration was of course unavailable. As refrigeration came into existence in the 20th century, it was found that a mixture of the two temperatures created the perfect drinking temperature for Guinness. Most Guinness poured in Ireland is served at about this temperature, roughly 44 degrees Fahrenheit (6° Celsius). In the United States, Half and Half consists of Harp Lager topped with Guinness. Half and half implies that both beers come from the Guinness Brewery.

Heaven & Hell; Dogfish Head Brewery

Dogfish Head Brewery

Dogfish Head Brewery is a brewing company based in Milton, Delaware founded by Sam Calagione. It opened in 1995 and produces 75,000 barrels of beer annually. Dogfish Head has been a rapidly growing brewery - it grew nearly 400% in between 2003 and 2006...

 World Wide Stout poured over 120 Minute IPA

Belgian Brunette: Guinness poured over Stella Artois

Stella Artois

Stella Artois is a 5% ABV lager brewed in Leuven, Belgium since 1926. In the UK, Canada and New Zealand a 4% ABV version is also available.-Production:...

Black Castle: Guinness poured over Newcastle Brown Ale

Priest Collar: A priest collar is made in the same way as a black and tan except using a cider instead of a pale ale or pale lager. Another name for this combination is called a Snakebite in some parts of California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, the midwest and southern Canada (elsewhere, Snakebite (shandy) includes blackcurrent).

Black and Blue: (aka "Dark Side of the Moon" or "Eclipse" ) Guinness

Guinness

Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...

 layered over Blue Moon (beer)

Blue Moon (beer)

Blue Moon, a Belgian-style witbier brewed by Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado, was launched in 1995. In Canada it is marketed as the beer Rickard's White and is brewed in Montreal, Quebec. Originally called Bellyslide Belgian White, it was created by Keith Villa, a brewer at Coors Field's...

 in place of pale ale or pale lager.

Black and Brown: Guinness

Guinness

Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...

 poured over Newcastle Brown Ale

Newcastle Brown Ale

Newcastle Brown Ale is a beer produced by Heineken International. It was introduced in 1927 by Newcastle Breweries. In 2005, brewing was moved out of Newcastle upon Tyne for the first time, to Dunston on the other side of the River Tyne, and in 2010 moved entirely to Tadcaster, North Yorkshire...

.

Black Velvet: A head of Guinness poured over cider ale, usually Strongbow Cider

Strongbow Cider

Strongbow is a brand of dry cider manufactured in England by H.P. Bulmer. Popular since it was launched in 1962, it is the best selling cider in the world, and its sales account for more than 20% of all the cider sold in the UK...

. Referred to as a Crown Float (or Crown Floater) in the Ottawa, Canada area.

October Tan: Guinness poured atop Samuel Adams Octoberfest creating a well-bodied seasonal mix.

Black and Trash: Guinness poured on top of the American Budweiser lager.

Pennsylvania Tan: Yuengling and Guinness

Special: Smithwicks with a Guinness Head

Black Cherry: Sam Adams Cherry Wheat with Guinness

Black Raspberry: Guinness poured over Kawartha Lakes Brewery Raspberry Wheat

Black and Indy: Pabst Blue Ribbon with Guinness

Wilmington Delight: King Cobra and Pabst and a little Fortified Wine

Black and Gold: Murphy's Irish Stout poured over Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse, although Beamish or Guinness have been used

Black and White: Guinness poured over Great White

Black Czech: Guinness poured over Pilsner Urquell

Black Irish: Guinness poured over Estrella Damm (or Voll Damm)

Black Death: Guinness poured over Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Black Cow: Guinness poured over Spotted Cow (New Glarus Brewery, WI)

Dark Shark; Guinness poured over Dogfish Head

Outback Black; Guinness poured over Fosters

D4 Special; Guinness poured over Heineken

Blaxican; Guinness poured over Modelo

Black and Tan Smooth; Guinness poured over Kilkenny

Kilkenny (beer)

Kilkenny is a nitrogenated Irish cream ale from the makers of Guinness, which originated in Kilkenny, Ireland. The brand is managed and produced by Diageo. It is available in draught and cans...

Banana Split; Young's Double Chocolate Stout poured over Well's Banana Beer

Golden Granny; Stella Artois poured over Woodchuck Granny Smith Cider

Brown and Bitter; Newcastle Brown Ale and Bass

911 Slow; Guinness poured over Warsteiner with a splash of sloe gin

Black Barrel; Guinness poured over Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale

Black Magic; Guinness poured over Magic Hat #9

Scarecrow; Guinness poured over Fall Seasonal Hoptober By New Belgium

Black Belt; Guinness poured over Grain Belt Premium

Dark Side of the Moon; Guinness poured over Blue Moon

Ghetto Black And Tan; Guinness poured over Pabst Blue Ribbon

External links

• How to make an All-Irish Black and Tan from Google Video
• How to pour a perfect Black and Tan