Guinness is a name that is known all around the world. This stout has been around for centuries, and as a result, has had some strong marketing campaigns over the years.
Many people swear that Guinness is the healthiest beer for you, and has lots of nutrients and benefits to drinking it. But, is any of it true? Is Guinness actually good for you, and how much alcohol does it contain? To answer these questions for you, let’s take a look at what Guinness actually is and how it is made.
What Is Guinness?
Guinness is an iconic and well known Irish dry stout that originated in the Arthur Guinness brewery near St. James’s Gate in Dublin, Ireland. This stout has been around since 1759 and is well known around the globe for its distinctive and unique flavor.
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Guinness is made from water, hops, barley, and its own strain of yeast. This same yeast strain has been in use by Guinness for the last 125 years!
The hugely recognizable deep black color and caramelized flavor of Guinness actually comes from the fact that the barley used is not roasted, but is malted instead. This dark stout is well known for its almost black appearance, with a dense, creamy head on top.
Guinness has been brewed in Ireland for centuries, and as a result it is synonymous with Irish culture, and is served in bars all around the world.
On Saint Patrick’s Day, Guinness is the drink of choice, and is highly popular in Irish bars all across the United States. Due to its immense popularity and iconic nature, you will want to try this drink for yourself.
However, you may be wondering exactly how much alcohol is in Guinness, how many calories are in the stout, and whether it is healthy for you. Luckily, our guide has all of the answers you may need.
How Much Alcohol Is In Guinness?
How much alcohol is in Guinness depends on where the Guinness is purchased, as it can vary from country to country, and how the drink is served. This is because there are so many different varieties of Guinness available. That being said, on average there is about 4.2% of alcohol in a pint of Guinness Draft.
In Guinness Extra Stout, you can expect about 5.6 %, and about 7.5% in Foreign Extra Stout Guinness. In the UK and in Ireland, the average amount of alcohol in the Original Guinness is about 4.2% to 4.3%.
How Many Calories Are In Guinness?
You may also be wondering how many calories are in Guinness. The calorie content in Guinness can vary depending on how it is served, and in which country it is served. On average, there are about 210 calories in a single pint of Guinness, and about 125 calories in a bottle of Guinness. In addition, there are about 155 calories in a can of Guinness.
Is Guinness Good For You?
You may have heard that Guinness can be good for you due to its iron content. So, is this actually true? Well, there are some health benefits to drinking Guinness, and your friends are not lying to you!
Guinness actually contains some antioxidant compounds found in fruits and vegetables…but that doesn’t mean you should have 5 a day! However, these antioxidants can promote a healthy heart and reduce the chance of blood clots.
The high levels of iron in Guinness are about 0.3 milligrams of iron per pint, which is roughly 3% of your recommended daily intake.
This does not sound like much, but when you consider that most adults fail to get the recommended 19 mg a day of iron, I suppose every little helps! The iron found in Guinness can help the transportation of oxygen around your body, so it can be good for your health!
In addition to this, Guinness has been found to have the plant hormone phytoestrogen in the beer. This hormone is highly efficient in building strong, dense and better bones. Therefore, Guinness can help to promote stronger bones and can improve bone density.
With all of that in mind, Guinness is not super bad for you, but it is alcohol, so always drink in moderation and don’t use those points as an excuse to drink it like it’s St. Patrick’s Day!
