Is Guinness an Ale or a Lager?

Many people are surprised to learn that Guinness used to be a “real beer”, which is the same as draft beer today. The beer is not carbonated or artificially filtered, and is dispensed from the keg without any added pressure. The Irish used to drink Guinness on tap until the 1960s. Crisp from the start and with a subtle flavor profile, Guinness Black Lager is a dark beer with a lighter side.

Designed by our pioneering brewers, it is made with the best lager hops and made using traditional cold brewing methods. This, combined with our innovative Guinness lager yeast and our exclusive roasted barley, creates a truly original dark beer with a deliciously distinctive flavor. Guinness Stout, often mistaken for motor oil due to its dark color, is actually a light, low-alcohol beer with an ABV of 4.2 to 5.0%. It has a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other beers and lagers.

The combination of lager hops, cold brewing methods, innovative Guinness lager yeast, and exclusive roasted barley creates a unique flavor that is both light and flavorful. So, is Guinness an ale or a lager? The answer is both! Guinness is classified as a hybrid beer because it combines elements of both ales and lagers. It has the lightness of a lager but also has the complexity of an ale. This makes it an ideal choice for those who want to enjoy the best of both worlds.