Beer Review - Irish Hen Pub Blend

 

 

I’m no scientist, but I am a little mad.

I had been wandering Epcot and was ready for a break. I took a seat to enjoy the full chaos of a nighttime spectacular. I reached for the classic fish and chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop. It always calms a wandering tummy with its classic hardiness. Then more inspiration struck me and I exclaimed, “I NEED A BEER!” I stood, pushed my chair away from the table, and ran to the Rose & Crown Pub. But what to get, I was feeling like an innovator, needing to reach for something new yet solidly fulfilling. I didn’t want just any regular tap…I wanted the magic of chemistry! Let’s combine two things to make a new creation!

And there it was on the menu! Pub Blends! The chemistry of adding two beers together. The most well-known experiment is a “Black & Tan,” with the combination of “Guinness Draught” stout and “Harp Premium Lager” known worldwide, and for heaven’s sake, I have had a good one from a beer stand in a baseball stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. Definitely that craftsman was not one of the royal subjects and beer masters pouring these taps. The menu included the world-famous “Snake Bite”, a combination of cider and “Harp” but the sweetness was not my desire to match with my fish. But then I saw “Irish Hen” a combination of “Old Speckled Hen” and “Guinness.” Eureka, I hoped the bubbly creaminess would blend wonderfully with both having a strong mix of nitro bubbles from the tap.

I was right. 

"Irish Hen"

“Irish Hen” does take some time to create. First, the “Old Specked Hen” half was poured! And then we waited and waited and waited and waited. The barkeep having good manners and apologized to this old-world scientist several times. The bubbles had to control themselves and settle down to mostly just liquid in the cup. Then the “Guinness” was added, over a spoon to slow the mixing as the plastic glass was filled. The pint showed a clear two-color division. The first sip, was super creamy as the two had blended wonderfully despite mostly forming layers. The pale ale had cut the maltiness of the stout, giving us a less heavy start than a pure “Guinness” fill. The bottom, as I did not mix, shake, or stir the pint, was a hoppy creaminess with a heavier bread flavor than the pale al alone.

I pulled out my journal to remember this particular alchemy. Actually, I couldn’t as Untapped will not allow you to rate blends!

Who Drinks This? If you enjoy English beers, this really is a fun way to play around with classic English ales. The bartenders are trained well in mixing the pub blends, and I would and do plan on having one in the future when I feel a little mad.