Have you heard of Guinness oysters? No? Really?
Don’t pull a face: while this flavour pairing may come as a surprise, it is popular throughout Ireland and praised by food critics around the world! After all, Ireland has found a way to bring together two products in which it excels: stout and Irish oysters! The result is a traditional dish that is as delicious as it is surprising… and one that might just win you over!
Trying Guinness oysters
The best of Ireland’s local produce!
The simplest dishes are often the best, and Guinness oysters are no exception!
More than just a tradition in Ireland, this is above all a dish its people are proud of! After all, it brings together two of the country’s flagship products, renowned for their essential qualities and authenticity!
For many people, oysters and Guinness taste of Ireland! And we can see why. Oysters, like the famous stout, are the fruit of centuries of Irish know-how and tradition. These distinctive products, with their strong character, form part of the country’s cultural and culinary identity!
History: a traditional dish that gained recognition late
As an aside, it is worth knowing that Guinness oysters are a somewhat unusual dish, deeply rooted in local customs, yet one that only gained international recognition at a late stage.
In the 1800s, Irish people regularly ate oysters in pubs. Cheap and readily available along the Irish coast, oysters were part of the diet of Ireland’s poor and middle classes. It was therefore common to see Irish people in the pub, eating oysters with a pint of stout in hand…
Yet the dish did not officially become known until 1837, when a British notable tasted it. He was astonished to discover just how delicious the combination was!
It was at that precise moment that Guinness oysters were born. They then began to appear in the local and international press, arousing curiosity and surprise among food lovers!
Making headlines in the newspapers, the dish has since won over those seeking new experiences… and has become an emblem of traditional Irish cuisine alongside Irish stew!
So much so that it has become a true speciality, still served today, notably at the Guinness Storehouse museum. Inside is the 1837 Bar & Brasserie, a restaurant owned by the brewery which serves platters of Guinness oysters every day! It is a fine way to show visitors the endless possibilities of Irish beer when it is incorporated into centuries of culinary tradition!
Flavours balancing bitterness and briny richness with Guinness Extra Stout
But believe us: this combination of flavours is as surprising as it is delicious! Guinness oysters offer an unusual culinary experience, always delicately balanced!
And they are a real treat!
First of all, Ireland has magnificent oyster farms. Its oysters are generally plump and flavoursome, and are much appreciated by gourmets! Then there is Guinness, which has enjoyed boundless success and an outstanding reputation since 1759!
But there is one small detail to bear in mind: this dish truly comes into its own only when the oysters are served with a Guinness Extra Stout. This beer has been produced by the famous Dublin brewery since 1821 and is made with malt, hops and the finest-quality Irish barley!
With its crisp, sharp taste, it differs from the smooth and creamy Guinness Draught and the more forceful Foreign Extra Stout, while retaining Guinness’s signature flavours.
That is what makes it the ideal companion for oysters! The beer’s rich, creamy head and crisp flavour complement the oysters’ briny character, bringing out their more complex notes.
Where can you try Guinness oysters?
To try these little briny delights, we recommend choosing the best oysters in Ireland (those from Galway or Waterford are among the most renowned!). Open them within half an hour of eating them, then enjoy them with a well-chilled pint of Guinness, freshly poured in a pub (avoid cans and bottles, as they lose some flavour intensity)!
Expect to pay around €15 to €18 per person for this type of dish in a restaurant or Irish pub, or at the “1837” Restaurant at the Guinness Storehouse. There, you can experience the national brewery’s inimitable know-how and its ability to incorporate its beer into typical dishes from traditional Irish cuisine!
Other good places to try them are, of course, seafood restaurants in harbours or establishments serving local traditional cuisine. Do not hesitate: it is a safe bet, as their deliveries are fresh and caught that day! You can go there with your eyes closed and discover a truly Irish flavour!
One thing is certain: you are in for a treat!
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