Black and Tan

The Black and Tan is less a cocktail and more a feat of beer engineering. This layered drink showcases two distinct beer profiles, usually a lighter ale or lager beneath a dark, creamy stout. It’s a visual showstopper, often ordered by those who appreciate the craft of a well-poured pint and enjoy the interplay of contrasting flavors. Expect to see it requested in pubs, particularly around St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s a solid choice for any beer enthusiast.

Black and Tan

4.33 from 49 votes

Calories: 24kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Ingredients

▢ 1 Part(s) Beer Ale
▢ 1 Part(s) Stout Beer

Instructions

▢
Fill stien half full with Bass. Next pour Guiness over a spoon slowly until glass is full. If done correctly the Guiness will stay on top and the Bass on bottom hence the name Black and Tan.

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 24kcal (1%)

Where it came from

The Black and Tan is a layered beer drink, traditionally made with a pale ale or lager and a stout. The name itself has a complex history tied to Irish political conflict, specifically referring to the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force. While the name has historical controversy, the drink’s popularity as a layered beverage likely emerged from pubs seeking novel ways to serve beer, making it a pub staple enjoyed by beer enthusiasts.

This isn’t a cocktail in the spirit-based sense, but rather a beer blend. Its closest relatives might be other layered beer drinks like the Half and Half (often using a lighter stout or porter) or a Snakebite (lager and cider). What separates the Black and Tan is the specific contrast between a lighter, often malty, ale and a dark, creamy stout, creating a distinct visual and taste profile.

You will typically find the Black and Tan in pubs, Irish bars, and craft beer establishments. It’s a casual drink, meant for social settings where the visual appeal can be appreciated. It’s less about a high-end cocktail bar experience and more about a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere where beer is the focus.

What it tastes like

The initial sip of a Black and Tan usually brings the creamy, roasted notes of the stout, with hints of coffee or chocolate. As you continue to drink, the lighter ale or lager underneath provides a contrasting malty sweetness and a crisper, sometimes slightly hoppy, finish. The blend creates a balanced experience, preventing the stout from being too heavy or the ale too light on its own.

Since this drink is simply two beers, its ABV will be the average of the two beers used. If you mix a 5% ABV ale with a 4.2% ABV stout, the resulting drink will be around 4.6% ABV. This makes it comparable to a standard pint of beer, significantly lower in alcohol content than most spirit-based cocktails.

The technique

Building a Black and Tan requires a steady hand and a specific technique. Start by filling a pint glass or stein halfway with the lighter ale. Then, slowly pour the stout over the back of a bar spoon, held just above the surface of the ale. The goal is to gently float the stout on top, allowing it to layer without mixing, until the glass is full. The key is patience and control.

The crucial technique for a Black and Tan is the slow, controlled pour of the stout over a spoon. This method reduces the velocity of the stout, allowing it to rest on the less dense ale below it. If you pour too fast or directly into the ale, the two beers will mix, and you will end up with a muddy, undifferentiated beer blend instead of the distinct black and tan layers.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Beer Ale

Use: Bass Ale is traditional, but any crisp, malty pale ale or even a lager works. Guinness Blonde or Harp Lager are good options. Aim for something roughly 4 to 5% ABV.
Skip: Heavily hopped IPAs or very dark lagers. Their strong flavors or dark color will overpower the stout or obscure the layering effect.
Why: The ale provides the lighter, foundational layer both visually and in terms of flavor. It gives the stout something to float on and a contrasting taste profile.

Stout Beer

Use: Guinness Draught is the classic choice due to its nitrogenated creaminess and relatively lower ABV. Other Irish stouts or even some creamy milk stouts can work.
Skip: Imperial stouts or very thick, high-ABV stouts. They can be too dense to layer properly and their intense flavors might dominate the drink.
Why: The stout is the “black” in Black and Tan, providing the dark, creamy top layer and its characteristic roasted, coffee, or chocolate notes. Its specific gravity helps it float.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Half and Half

Similar layers, different base.: This variation often uses a lighter stout or porter as the top layer, sometimes paired with a lighter ale or even a lager, offering a slightly less intense flavor contrast.

Black Velvet

Stout meets sparkle.: A more elegant take, replacing the ale with chilled sparkling wine or champagne. This creates a lighter, effervescent drink with the stout’s dark notes.

Black and Blue

Guinness and Blue Moon.: A popular American variation that layers Guinness Draught over a wheat beer like Blue Moon, adding citrus and spice notes to the blend.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Beer Ale?

A light lager like Budweiser or Miller Lite will work in a pinch for the bottom layer. The flavor profile will change, but the layering is still possible.

No Stout Beer?

If Guinness is not available, look for another nitrogenated Irish stout or a creamy porter that is not too heavy. Murphy’s Irish Stout is a good alternative.

No spoon?

A butter knife or even the back of a fork can be used to achieve the layering effect, though a wide, flat spoon provides the best surface area.

No stien?

Any clear pint glass or tall glass will work. The visual appeal is key, so avoid opaque mugs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Black and Tan?

A Black and Tan is made from two distinct beers: typically a lighter ale or lager for the bottom layer and a dark stout, like Guinness, for the top layer.

Why is it called a Black and Tan?

The name “Black and Tan” refers to the uniform colors of the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force, a controversial British paramilitary unit active in Ireland during the early 20th century. While the name has political connotations, the drink became popular in other regions.

Why does Guinness float on top of Bass?

Guinness Draught, a common stout used, has a lower specific gravity (it is less dense) than many lighter ales or lagers, like Bass. This difference in density allows it to float when poured carefully.

Is a Black and Tan an Irish drink?

While it uses Irish stout, the layered drink itself is not traditionally Irish and the name carries historical baggage in Ireland. It is more commonly found and consumed as a novelty drink outside of Ireland.

What’s the best beer for a Black and Tan?

For the bottom layer, a pale ale like Bass or a crisp lager works well. For the top, Guinness Draught is the classic choice due to its density and creamy texture.

How do you pour a perfect Black and Tan?

Fill a glass halfway with the lighter beer. Then, slowly pour the stout over the back of a bar spoon held just above the surface, allowing it to gently cascade and layer on top.

Can you make a Black and Tan with other beers?

Absolutely. You can experiment with different combinations, ensuring there is a significant density difference between the lighter bottom beer and the darker top beer for successful layering.

Is it rude to order a Black and Tan in Ireland?

Given the historical context of the name, ordering a Black and Tan in Ireland is often considered insensitive or offensive. It is best to avoid using the name there and instead order the two beers separately if you wish to mix them.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read