Black and Brown
A rich and frothy beer cocktail that marries the deep, roasted barley notes of Guinness Stout with the sweet, herbal spice of root beer. This simple two-ingredient drink creates a creamy texture and a flavor profile reminiscent of a grown-up root beer float.
What it tastes like
The aroma is dominated by toasted barley and herbal sassafras. On the palate, the creamy carbonation carries flavors of vanilla, coffee, and dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a soft, frothy head, finishing with a lingering sweetness and a dry, roasted aftertaste.
Flavour profile
Ingredients
- Root Beer8 oz
- Guinness Stout8 oz
Preparation
- 1
Tilt the glass and slowly pour the root beer until it fills the glass halfway.
- 2
Pause to allow the foam to settle completely.
- 3
Very carefully top off the glass with the Guinness Stout.
- 4
Pour the stout slowly to prevent the carbonation from reacting explosively and overflowing the glass.
Substitutions
- Guinness StoutChocolate Porter — A chocolate porter increases the sweetness and adds a more pronounced cocoa profile to the drink.
- Root BeerBirch Beer — Birch beer provides a sharper, mintier herbal quality with a slightly thinner texture.
- Guinness StoutOatmeal Stout — Using an oatmeal stout results in a silkier, heavier mouthfeel and a nuttier finish.
- Root BeerSarsaparilla — Sarsaparilla offers a more medicinal and woody spice profile compared to standard root beer.
Variations
Spiced Black and Brown
Add one ounce of aged rum to the root beer before layering to increase the alcohol content and add notes of caramel and oak.
Stout Float
Top the finished drink with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a thicker, dessert-focused texture.