Guinness faces stiff competition from small brewers pushing the boundaries of "nitro" stouts.
The iconic Irish brew has become ubiquitous in pubs across the UK and Ireland, with its distinctive creamy head and rich flavor profile captivating drinkers. However, a new crop of independent brewers is taking on Guinness, offering alternative takes on the classic stout that are gaining traction among beer enthusiasts.
One such brewery, Anspach & Hobday from London, has developed a nitro stout called London Black that boasts a punchier, more complex flavor profile than Guinness. The brew's co-founder, Jack Hobday, believes his beer offers something unique: "There's nothing better than having an Irish person coming to our taproom and saying they love London Black... If you want a Guinness, have a Guinness – but we're not trying to be that."
Anspach & Hobday's strategy has been to celebrate its own local heritage, drawing on London's rich brewing history. Their Porter, the predecessor to stout, was inspired by the dark ale consumed by London workers in the early 18th century.
Other independent brewers, such as Titanic Brewery from Staffordshire and Siren Craft Brew from Berkshire, are also producing high-quality nitro stouts that are gaining popularity among drinkers. These brews often feature unique flavor profiles, such as fruit notes or spices, which set them apart from Guinness.
While Guinness remains the dominant player in the nitro stout category, the competition is growing. Statistics show that 80% of independent brewers now produce a stout or porter, up from 60% for lagers. The value of "craft stout" sold in pubs has more than doubled in the past year, indicating a shift towards alternative brews.
Pubs are responding to this trend by offering more nitro stouts on their menus. One such establishment, The Devonshire in London's Piccadilly, claims to sell the most Guinness of any pub in the UK or Ireland, but also offers a range of other nitro stouts from independent brewers.
As drinkers become increasingly discerning and eager for new experiences, small breweries are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. By pushing the boundaries of traditional beer styles and offering unique flavor profiles, these upstarts are challenging Guinness's dominance and appealing to consumers looking for something different.
The iconic Irish brew has become ubiquitous in pubs across the UK and Ireland, with its distinctive creamy head and rich flavor profile captivating drinkers. However, a new crop of independent brewers is taking on Guinness, offering alternative takes on the classic stout that are gaining traction among beer enthusiasts.
One such brewery, Anspach & Hobday from London, has developed a nitro stout called London Black that boasts a punchier, more complex flavor profile than Guinness. The brew's co-founder, Jack Hobday, believes his beer offers something unique: "There's nothing better than having an Irish person coming to our taproom and saying they love London Black... If you want a Guinness, have a Guinness – but we're not trying to be that."
Anspach & Hobday's strategy has been to celebrate its own local heritage, drawing on London's rich brewing history. Their Porter, the predecessor to stout, was inspired by the dark ale consumed by London workers in the early 18th century.
Other independent brewers, such as Titanic Brewery from Staffordshire and Siren Craft Brew from Berkshire, are also producing high-quality nitro stouts that are gaining popularity among drinkers. These brews often feature unique flavor profiles, such as fruit notes or spices, which set them apart from Guinness.
While Guinness remains the dominant player in the nitro stout category, the competition is growing. Statistics show that 80% of independent brewers now produce a stout or porter, up from 60% for lagers. The value of "craft stout" sold in pubs has more than doubled in the past year, indicating a shift towards alternative brews.
Pubs are responding to this trend by offering more nitro stouts on their menus. One such establishment, The Devonshire in London's Piccadilly, claims to sell the most Guinness of any pub in the UK or Ireland, but also offers a range of other nitro stouts from independent brewers.
As drinkers become increasingly discerning and eager for new experiences, small breweries are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. By pushing the boundaries of traditional beer styles and offering unique flavor profiles, these upstarts are challenging Guinness's dominance and appealing to consumers looking for something different.
it's about time some new blood came into the nitro stout game, you know? been drinking guinness for ages but it's always felt like they're playing it safe. i love how these smaller brewers are experimenting with flavors and ingredients - it's really brought a fresh vibe to pubs 
anspach & hobday's london black is right up my alley, that punchy flavor profile is just what i need after a long day 
It's not just about the taste, it's about identity – people want to rep their local brews, just like they would with their national pride. Anspach & Hobday's London Black is like that one cool cousin at the pub who's always trying something new and different.
But here's the thing, folks: competition never hurt anyone. It forces innovation and pushes boundaries. The value of craft stouts sold in pubs is more than doubling? That's a win-win for consumers and small breweries alike.
, it's crazy how many awesome nitro stouts are popping up! I mean, who knew London had such a rich brewing history? Anspach & Hobday's London Black is definitely giving me some major flavor envy... the fact that they're not trying to be like Guinness but still killin' the game is so refreshing 
. And have you tried any of these new stouts yet? I'm itching to get my hands on more! 
! The idea that small breweries like Anspach & Hobday can create a nitro stout that's more complex and punchy than Guinness is genius 
. And it's cool to see pubs starting to offer more variety on their menus, catering to drinkers who want something new and exciting 
. I mean, 80% of independent brewers now produce stouts or porters? That's a game-changer! 
The fact that they're drawing inspiration from London's brewing history is also really interesting - it's like they're keeping the spirit of traditional brewing alive while still innovating and pushing boundaries 
. Anyway, I'm excited to see what other crazy flavors and brews come out of this trend 
.
i was at a pub and they had like 10 different types of nitro stouts on tap... i was so confused lol i dont know how many i tried but they were all so good... anyway back to this news stuff... i think its kinda cool that small breweries are trying to create their own versions of nitro stouts... its like they're speaking our language or something 
like who needs a classic when you can have something unique? 
- who wouldn't want a more complex flavor profile? And it's awesome that they're celebrating their own local heritage, you know? 
. I mean, The Devonshire in London's got a solid rep, but offering a range of nitro stouts from indie brewers would be next level! 
. I'm curious to see what other unique flavor profiles these smaller breweries come up with - maybe some collaborations between UK and US brewers? 
.
It's exciting to see pubs responding by offering more nitro stouts on their menus, giving customers even more options to choose from. Let's keep supporting our local breweries and enjoying the ride! 
. It's not just about copying Guinness, it's about creating something new and exciting.
like anspach & hobday's london black is insane!! the fact that they're putting their own twist on it is what makes it stand out from the usual guinness i mean don't get me wrong i love a good pint of the black stuff but its so boring if u know what im saying 
these new brewers r killing the game with their unique flavor profiles like fruity notes or spices