Do you know Guinness oysters? No ? Really?
Don’t grimace: although this combination of flavors may surprise you, it’s acclaimed throughout Ireland and celebrated by food critics the world over! It has to be said that the Irish country has found a way to bring together two products in which it excels: dark beer and Irish oysters! The result is a traditional dish that’s as tasty as it is surprising… and it just might win you over!
The simplest dishes are often the best! And the Oysters with Guinness dish is one of them!
Much more than a tradition in Ireland, it’s above all a dish that makes its inhabitants proud! It’s the result of the fusion of two of the country’s leading products! Products renowned for their quality and authenticity!
In fact, for many people, oysters and Guinness taste like Ireland! And we understand them! Oysters, like the famous stout, are the fruit of centuries of Irish know-how and tradition! Unique products with a strong character, contributing to the country’s cultural and culinary identity!
It’s worth noting that oysters in Guinness sauce are a rather unusual dish, firmly rooted in local customs, but which didn’t gain international recognition until quite some time ago.
In the 1800s, Irish people regularly ate oysters in the pub. Inexpensive and readily available on the Irish coast, oysters were part of the diet of poor and middle-class Irish people. So it was common to come across Irishmen in the pub, eating their oysters with a pint of stout in hand…
But the dish didn’t become officially known until 1837, when a British notable tasted it. He was amazed at how delicious the combination was!
It was at that very moment that Guinness oysters were born. They made a name for themselves in the local and international press, creating curiosity and astonishment among gourmets!
Making the headlines, the dish has since won over fans of new experiences… And has become the emblem of traditional Irish dishes alongside the Irish stew!
So much so, in fact, that the dish has become a genuine specialty, still served today, notably at the Guinness Storehouse Museum. Inside is the 1837 Bar & Brasserie, a restaurant owned by the brewery, and serving daily platters of oysters with Guinness! A great way to introduce visitors to the endless possibilities of Irish beer when incorporated into centuries of culinary tradition!
But trust us: this combination of flavors is as surprising as it is delicious! Oysters in Guinness provide an unusual culinary experience, always on the edge!
But we’re in for a treat!
First of all, Ireland boasts some magnificent oyster farms. His oysters are generally plentiful and tasty, much appreciated by gourmets! Secondly, because Guinness has enjoyed unrivalled success and reputation since 1759!
But beware: there’s a slight subtlety. This dish really comes into its own when served with Guinness Extra Stout. This is a beer produced by the famous Dublin brewery since 1821, made with the finest Irish malt, hops and barley!
With its sharp, crisp taste, it differs from the smooth, creamy Guinness Draught and the punchier Foreign Extra Stout, but retains the characteristic Guinness flavours.
And that’s what makes it the ideal companion for oysters! The beer’s rich, creamy head and lively taste complement the oysters’ briny character, bringing out their more complex flavors.
For a taste of these iodized wonders, we recommend the best oysters in Ireland (those from Galway and Waterford are among the most famous!). Open them half an hour before tasting, and enjoy them with a cold pint of Guinness, fresh from the pub (avoid cans and bottles: they lose their taste power)!
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 in the Guinness Storehouse. It’s here that you’ll taste the inimitable know-how of the national brewery, and its ability to add its beer to dishes typical of traditional Irish cuisine!
Other good places to eat are, of course, the seafood restaurants located in the harbors, or in establishments serving local trady cuisine. Don’t hesitate, it’s a safe bet: their arrivals are fresh, dated daily! You can go there with your eyes closed and discover a typically Irish flavour!
One thing’s for sure: you’re in for a treat!
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