Is Guinness the most overrated beer...ever?

[dbhokie]

I suppose that depends on who is doing the rating, how they rate it, and whom is doing the judging of the rating.



I like it from time to time, certainly not my favorite, but the beer itself has evolved and changed a lot over the years, and according to where it's sold due to laws sometimes, but all in all a good staple for the style.

 

[Revvy]

And as far as the 'ever' comment, that's a little off-base considering the beer has been around continuously since the Age of Enlightenment. I can't think of too many other beers that can make the same claim.

If you haven't read it Buddy, knowing you're into beer/brewing history, check out-

 

[TopherM]

Guiness was also one of the first imports and certainly the first mass-produced stout readily available in the U.S. as far as I can remember.

I think Guiness compares favoribly with other dry, creamy stouts, but it certainly isn't the best with so many options out there. Of course, it's place in the evolution of craft beer is MUCH more important than to ask if it is a great stout in 2012.

So, in my mind, this question is like asking if Bob Cousey was as good at basketball as Labron James. The answer is OF COURSE NOT, but one is far more important to the history and evolution of the game than the other. So it's all relative!

 

[VTDuffman]

Sounds like ND must annually whoop up on your football team.

Does this statement apply to any school these days? You can't even say this about *Navy* anymore...

I think Guiness is fine, and the notion of "overrated" is completely subjective and silly. It's not really for me, but a lot of people really like it. For something to be that massively popular, it kind of necessarily has to be middle of the road.

I have a feeling what you could get in Ireland is much better than what we can get here, but that's purely conjecture.

 

[BrewChem]

I'm glad Guiness is widely available at so many pubs, bars and restaurants.... offers an excellent alternative to the fizzy, yellow beerz that often grace the taps.

 

[BrewThruYou]

Guinness essentially defines the dry stout style. Equating Guinness to McDonalds is just silly.

Even if it's a commercial example of the style, that by definition doesn't make it good. Old Milwaukee Light is listed as a Lite American Lager commercial example in the BJCP.

I don't know how the McDonalds analogy is silly. McDonalds essentially defines the fast food burger style. It's overmarketed and the vast majority of craft burger joints blow it away. That being said, I will definitely eat a double quarter pounder from time to time and I'm sure I'll drink a guinness draught too.

 

[VonBaron]

Most overrated? No, at least not in my opinion. Now take your pick of any of the "American Big 3 Lights" and thats my pick for the most overrated beer EVER. It still makes me laugh when those commercials use words like "flavor" and "body" its like if Hedi Montag (sp?) where a beer...

 

[atom]

guiNNeSS is good.

 

[brewit2it]

It's good as mothers milk.

 

[j1laskey]

guiNNeSS is good.

There were 3 post in a row that need this

 

[homebrewdad]

I think this thread quickly identifies who are beer enthusiasts, and who are beer snobs. Hint - one of those labels is NOT a compliment.

Also, kudos to VTDuffman for pointing out the obvious - ND football beats up on the directional schools, I suppose, but the last time I checked, those schools don't have rabid football fanbases. If you can't even guarantee wins against the service acadamies anymore, you don't have much room to brag.

Finally, War Eagle.

 

[bagpiperjosh]

Guinness is to the good beer drinking world as mr. Beer is to home brewing. Good for a beginner, but you soon realize there is much better out there. Its a nice transition beer from the miller and bud lights

 

[Joe13]

Guinness is to the good beer drinking world as mr. Beer is to home brewing. Good for a beginner, but you soon realize there is much better out there. Its a nice transition beer from the miller and bud lights

I like my Mr. Beer setup though.






On the topic of Guinness, I drank a lot of it in College and wasn't a fan at the time. Though as I have grown, I can appreciate it more now that My pallette is expanded.

 

[brewski08]

oh wow, i just had to check my browser because for a second i thought i was on beeradvocate.com.

bashing Guinness is like bashing your grandfather because you think it's lame that he wants to take you fishing while you'd rather play video games. yea, it's not infused with coffee beans, chocolate, chili peppers, vanilla beans, or some other ridiculous ingredient, and yea, there are better beers out there, but considering it was established in the 1700s with the basics, i'd say it's a damn fine beer.

 

[homebrewdad]

oh wow, i just had to check my browser because for a second i thought i was on beeradvocate.com.

bashing Guinness is like bashing your grandfather because you think it's lame that he wants to take you fishing while you'd rather play video games. yea, it's not infused with coffee beans, chocolate, chili peppers, vanilla beans, or some other ridiculous ingredient, and yea, there are better beers out there, but considering it was established in the 1700s with the basics, i'd say it's a damn fine beer.

This. Some of the posts in this thread make me wonder if the posters quaff their imperial chococoffee stouts with one pinky held high.

 

[Horseballs]

I don't think guinness is particularly great, I find it to be really thin and watery and barely any flavor compared to other dry stouts. Yes, they invented the style but they aren't the best example anymore. I think in terms of "overrated-ness" guinness is most overrated by people who don't know beer and think that guinness is the best stout there is, super flavorful, super alcoholic (4.2... that's bud lite), a meal in a glass (about 120ish calories? that's bud lite...) and etc. I like guinness for what it is - a fallback option at a bar with a bad selection, or when I want a lite beer.

 

[Penguinetti]

Guinness was the first beer in a long line of beer when i was younger that I actually liked the taste of. (Read: drink to enjoy, not to get drunk). So count me as one of the Guinness lovers. I do not think it's over-rated. It's been a successful (and good-tasting) brew for centuries.


Centuries.

 

[Straight6TT]

And this is a problem for you? To ME this means I can go to any bar, including a non beer centric bar like I would normally go to, (Like a place with a beer list longer than the wine one, or a brewpub) and KNOW that there's at least going to be 1 beer amongst the bud, bud light, coors, that I might actually ENJOY drinking....

I'm happy nowadays that even in the most divy shot and shell bar, I might find Guinness or at least killians on tap these days. Beats ordering a water.

I love the newly converted and how snobby they can be.... Bitching that Guinness is always on tap these days. Sheesh. Try going back to the 80's when the idea of something OTHER than BMC in a bar was an impossibility....

I agree with alot of what you're saying, and I am seeing alot of beers on tap lately with a lot of variety but it seems they are all pale ales or ipas amongst the bmc on tap. Alot of bars just seem to have one stout choice and its usually guinness. Im not bitching just asking a question and could be totally off base about, just my .02

 

[Straight6TT]

I also want to clarify that I am not trying to bash guinness, like I said I like it. That and sammy smith got me into the world of stouts a few years ago. Also just because something is or isnt over-rated does not make it bad by any stretch. You can be good/great but be over-rated.

 

[NineMilBill]

When I was in San Diego last year I finally had it and my impression was "really? all the hype for this?

I have to agree - I had the same first impression. Halfway through the bottle it started to grow on me though. I think had I of only sampled the beer instead of having a 3-pack to work with over time, I would have been quite disappointed.

 

[dbhokie]

I think this thread quickly identifies who are beer enthusiasts, and who are beer snobs. Hint - one of those labels is NOT a compliment.

Also, kudos to VTDuffman for pointing out the obvious - ND football beats up on the directional schools, I suppose, but the last time I checked, those schools don't have rabid football fanbases. If you can't even guarantee wins against the service acadamies anymore, you don't have much room to brag.

Finally, War Eagle.

ND = Schaeffers beer

You know after perusing this more heavily I am surprised at the Guinness detractors.

If I am at a bar, and they have all IPA's I am thankful for a Guinness. Once again, not my favorite, but a good staple to the style.

Hell, I love Weatherby, but its hard to argue with a good old fashioned Winchester or marlin lever.

Friggin war eagles, every time I hear that all I can think of is three missed field goals.

 

[LandoLincoln]

Well....is it?

I had this question come to me from a friend of mine...while drinking a chocolate porter of my own and I really believe there is some validity to the statement. What do you think?

I think you and your friend are becoming beer snobs.

And you should stop it. Immediately.

 

[VTDuffman]

If I am at a bar, and they have all IPA's I am thankful for a Guinness. Once again, not my favorite, but a good staple to the style.

I have no problems with Guinness. It's fine for what it is, it's not really for me, but I'm not really a stout guy in general. I don't begrudge anyone for drinking it because I don't begrudge anyone for drinking anything, people should drink what makes them happy whether that's Hurricane Malt Liquor, or a triple-decocted Helles Bock made from angel tears and dry hopped with gnome beard trimmings.

That said, in the even that the OP wasn't jsut out and out trolling, I think I may know what he's getting out - there's a type of person out there, who is, I don't even know what to call it - maybe the "Militant Guinness Drinker?" It's like a sub-set of Beer Snobs, but (to me) weirder and with even less foundation. Like, they actively look down on people who drink Miller Lite and such, because they Drink "Real Beer." But they don't actually drink anything else but Guinness...which is kind of like the "Miller Lite of Stouts." I personally don't begrudge it for being that, and I don't care if people drink it - I drink it sometimes, but it's a relatively dry, relatively light, relatively accessible, sessionable stout. Which is fine, but also silly to me to then develop this attitude about how you are a "Real Beer Drinker."

Maybe it's just me, but I know *a lot* of people like that, and I don't care, I just think it's a little silly. I think the "Militant Guinness Drinker" vastly overrates exactly what they are consuming...but you can really say that about anyone with Brand Loyalty and personal preference, I guess...

 

[aubiecat]

AASD, American's Against Snobbish *********gery, join today.

 

[cheezydemon3]

Guinness tastes to me like re-gurgitated charcoal and milk carbonated with nitrogen for those FINE little bubbles.

If you all like it, fine. why would I care?

Just don't call me a snob just because I think guinness is terrible.

 

[Rbeckett]

Over rated, and over priced. Paid 17.00 USD for one pint in Dubae United Arab Emirates. Had been 5 months without a beer and that was all they had for a dark beer. Never ever again, thats for sure...
WCB

 

[Hammy71]

A properly poured Guinness is a thing of beauty. Overrated? No.

 

[usfmikeb]

With more and more small breweries popping up everyday, it is only a matter of time until brewers like Stone, or Founders are considered overrated. Just ask Jim Koch

Yep, think back a couple months ago to an online rant by Sam Calagione...

 

[usfmikeb]

Over rated, and over priced. Paid 17.00 USD for one pint in Dubae United Arab Emirates. Had been 5 months without a beer and that was all they had for a dark beer. Never ever again, thats for sure...
WCB

You got ripped off. I bet that can sat in the heat for a LONG time, ruining it for whomever drank it.

 

[usfmikeb]

A properly poured Guinness is a thing of beauty. Overrated? No.

Bingo