Guinness Debuts Nitro IPA

One of the appeals of Guinness Stout has been its relatively low ABV of 4.2 percent on tap. It lends itself to the classic pub session and extended stays at the bar or table among friends. While not in the session strata, the Nitro IPA is designed to stay close to this tradition. It has a relatively low ABV of 5.8 percent, considerably less alcohol than many American IPAs and is only a distant relative of Double IPAs.

To help launch the beer in the U.S., Guinness brought to the East Coast one of its ambassadors at St. James’s Gate, Domhnall Marnell. Speaking in a husky Irish brogue that belies a rather slender physique, Marnell’s first name is pronounced “dough-nal” as in the Irish version of Donald. He provided a fluid – as in Irish gift of gab – and well informed background to the story of Nitro IPA during a tour stop in Atlanta.

The key question is one of timing. Is Guinness just jumping on the IPA bandwagon? Are sales of stouts declining? Marnell replied that timing is important and the change in the marketplace is part of the decision to introduce an IPA. But the sales of Guinness are as strong as ever, he said, and the marketplace is only now ready for an IPA made the Guinness way.

“The IBUs are not a rating system for beers,” he said. “It’s not the more hops the better the beer. So we think 44 IBUs is all that you need. We think the timing is perfect.”

Although it technically doesn’t fall into the Session IPA category’s lower ABV, there is a drinkability thanks to the nitrogen and IBUs. “This is not a hop bomb that you’re going to drink one and then go, ‘That’s enough for me. I’m going to switch to something lighter,’” said Marnell. “This is a very sessionable beer, whether you’re an IPA fan or not. It’s something that anybody can come pick up and play. We’re proud of the balance that’s in the beer and that’s something Guinness has always lent itself to and focused on.”

“Right now there is a great demand for choice,” said Marnell. "We want to make sure that no matter what the occasion is, no matter what kind of beer you like, there’s a Guinness style for you."