Guinness has started brewing a special version of its fortified stout in Dublin to cater for the tastes of Ireland's burgeoning African community, writes Nuala Haughey.
The African "recipe" of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout which has hitherto only been produced in Nigeria, is currently undergoing quality tests after its production at St James's Gate. The powerful brew, which at 7.5 per cent alcohol is almost twice the strength of draught Guinness, has until now only been manufactured at the company's breweries in Nigeria.
There are an estimated 30,000 Africans living in Ireland, many of whom are used to their African version of the beer which they say tastes sweeter and heavier than the Irish variety.
The bottled stout can be bought mostly under the counter in small unlicensed African eating houses or shops. This illicit supply comes from Nigeria via London. It is also sold legally in the Nigerian-owned The Forum bar on Parnell Street in north Dublin, but it takes two weeks for deliveries from London. The bar's manager said a regular supply in Ireland "would be good for Africans but also for Irish people who lived in Nigeria and are used to drinking that there. They come home and they see the taste of Irish Guinness is different to the Nigerian one."
A spokeswoman for Guinness said the Foreign Extra Stout was being "trialed" at the moment and is expected to be released on the Irish market in the summer. Guinness Foreign Extra Stout was first exported from Dublin in the 19th century and its higher alcohol content helped to preserve it during its overseas journeys. Until 1962 all the Guinness Foreign Extra Stout sold the world over was brewed and conditioned in large oak vats in Dublin before being shipped to export markets. However, when the company began setting up breweries abroad, it switched production overseas, including Nigeria, where the company's third largest brewery is based.
The Guinness Store House is hosting a media and multicultural awards ceremony on May 2nd, organised by the Nigerian-owned newspaper, Metro Éireann. Guinness already produces Dublin Foreign Extra Stout for export to the US and Far East, but this version is different to the African one.