A Pint of Plain

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by JackHorzempa, Apr 27, 2025.

  1. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Below is an old (1973 – notice the ‘lamb chops’ on the bartender) entitled “The Last Days of Porter”.

    I wonder if any of our ‘senior’ members of BA have enjoyed a Pint of Plain as drawn in the below video? If so, what did you think of the beer(s)?

    Cheers!

     
    Jaycase, thebeers, dcotom and 12 others like this.
  2. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    This is really cool, thanks for sharing. Two different pours to make the final pint? Never heard of anything like that.

    I really want a pint of plain.
     
  3. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    My attempts at a perfect homebrewed porter were always named "Only Man", a quote from Flann O'Brien's "The Workman's Friend", "A pint of plain is your only man."
     
  4. Premo88

    Premo88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,670) Jun 6, 2010 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Just the sound of "pint of plain" makes my anglophilia rise up to a level of near pain hahahaha. Thanks for posting!
     
  5. LesDewitt4beer

    LesDewitt4beer Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,315) Jan 25, 2021 Minnesota
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Gotta love those BBC archives.
    "A good glass full of gushing good Cheer..." :beers:
     
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  6. moodenba

    moodenba Pooh-Bah (2,502) Feb 2, 2015 New York
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Roger Protz (https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/13/the-highs-and-lows-of-draught-guinness) describes the 2 keg method and the replacement.
    Ron Pattinson (https://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/) probably has recipes available that you or a brewery could recreate a similar porter -- or even a more interesting historical recipe than the last gasp "plain" brewed by a big commercial brewer in the early 70s.
     
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  7. LAFreeway

    LAFreeway Zealot (669) Aug 2, 2023 California

    I don’t think Guinness gave Ron access to their brewing records.
     
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  8. moodenba

    moodenba Pooh-Bah (2,502) Feb 2, 2015 New York
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Guinness isn't the only company that brewed porter/stout.
     
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  9. LAFreeway

    LAFreeway Zealot (669) Aug 2, 2023 California

    Yes, he’s probably posted several hundred non-Guinness porter and stout recipes, but I don’t think I’ve seen a one for Guinness. It looks like there’s a Guinness recipe from 1883 in his book.
     
    MutuelsMark likes this.
  10. WhatANicePub

    WhatANicePub Zealot (712) Jul 1, 2009 Scotland

    I think this is a technique that would only really work if your bar sold porter and nothing else. I would love to drink it though. Sadly (for me) I suspect it will be done in the US before it is ever done again in Britain or Ireland.
     
  11. LesDewitt4beer

    LesDewitt4beer Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,315) Jan 25, 2021 Minnesota
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's the new motif and song for @Shanex !!
     
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  12. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

  13. rolltide8425

    rolltide8425 Pooh-Bah (2,470) Feb 18, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I love this kind of stuff. Wouldn’t be at all surprised if a brewery tried this as a one-off at some point.
     
    MrOH likes this.
  14. thebeers

    thebeers Grand Pooh-Bah (5,837) Sep 10, 2014 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Did Andy Rooney steal this guy’s schtick?
     
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  15. Jaycase

    Jaycase Grand Pooh-Bah (3,858) Jan 13, 2007 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you want your child to grow, your child to grow, your child to grow
    If you want your child to grow, give 'im a jar of porter

    I found a new (to me) crackin' song.

     
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