I’m a Black and Tan Man

I’ve only been a beer connoisseur for a few years. One afternoon three years ago my colleagues at the school took me to McNellie’s for “libations”, a local pub which is no longer in business (sadly).

I sheepishly tried three different beers. First it was a lager of some type (I believe a Harp) and then followed that up with a stout… probably Smithwick’s. I loved McNellie’s Ale House because not only did they have that old-world pub atmosphere (everything was made of wood) but they offered a selection of a staggering 280 beers.

But I digress.

I slowly gravitated toward Guinness stout, probably because of a predilection to Irish beers due to genetics, I suppose. I love (and still love) a good Guinness. Probably because if it is not poured in a cold glass via tap only and does not have a firm bishop’s collar I will immediately become bemused and wear the disappointed Irish scowl. It must be poured properly and allowed time to settle.

As an Advanced placement reader, I am sent every summer to Tampa, Florida where there is a lovely authentic Irish pub called “The Four Lands”. It is a thatched roof pub run by a former IRA bloke and his sons, and has the finest Irish stew I’ve ever had.

On my last visit, I discovered the black and tan. It is half a glass of Harp or some other fine Irish lager (I have taken…