Contrary To Popular Belief, Guinness Isn't Actually Brown

There are few beers more iconic than Guinness — the stout famously brewed in Dublin, Ireland, with a creamy, velvety, well balanced character and distinctive flavor profile with notes of coffee, malt, and chocolate. Guinness has become a staple in taverns and restaurants around the world and is continuously ranked among the world's top beers, according to VinePair, Newsweek, and many other sources. Founded by Arthur Guinness on New Year's Eve in 1759, the namesake brand has truly withstood the test of time, with generations of drinkers indulging in pints for centuries.

There is one noteworthy element of Guinness, however, that may have many drinkers fooled: its color. As it turns out, Guinness is dark, but it isn't the espresso shade it appears to be at first glance. But if it isn't a shade of brown, as many of us may have believed since we first laid eyes on the product, then what color is it?

While plenty of beer varieties on the market sport a translucent, golden hue, Guinness stands out with its seemingly opaque, lusciously dark appearance. A lot of people may feel a bit flabbergasted upon learning this fun fact, but... Guinness is actually red! It's true. Even the official Guinness website confirms, "Look closely. Guinness Draught beer is not actually black but rather dark ruby red because of the way the ingredients are prepared." How does this happen, exactly? During the beer's brewing process, the raw barley is roasted in a similar fashion to coffee beans, resulting in a deep red tone of pure Irish delight.

Still don't believe it? Apparently, the red tinge is much easier to identify if you hold your pint up to the light, per Mental Floss — that is, unless you're hanging out in a shadowy pub. Next time you sip on a frothy, smooth Guinness with your fellow lads and lasses, break the news to them that they're consuming one of the tastiest red beverages on the planet. Sláinte!