Guinness Extra Stout is NOT suitable for veggies, despite what we learnt in the past

sweet-rasmus

We have had some conflicting information here overt the years. Most recently: here.

I emailed Guinness last night to check on their stout (as I am trying to find out what stouts may be suitable for vegetarians in Ireland) and received this reply today.

Thank you for your recent email regarding Guinness. We are delighted to hear from consumers with keen interested in our brand.

Isinglass, which is a by-product of the fishing industry, is used as a fining agent in all Guinness variants - i.e. used during processing to clarify beer. There should be little residue in the finished beer. Findings are removed (by sedimentation and centrifugation) so vegetarians may consider that Guinness is suitable for them.

On a lighter note: One Irish made alternative which does not use isinglass at all (but instead allows the drink to settle naturally) is Dungarvan Stout, made in Waterford.

Slaphead07

It's also used extensively in wine making for the same reasons. Often where fish finings are not used egg albumen is. The albumen sinks through the wine and pulls and sediment etc. to the bottom where it's all removed. Unfiltered wines are available of course but you'll have to go looking for them.

daddydick

Surely that's not going to put you off?

It's hardly like they chop up a cow and put it in the pint glass in fairness. By that reckoning you shouldnt touch it if the barman is a carnivore?

daddydick

Apologies my bad didn't realise isinglass was part of fish bladder, apologies

kraggy

Surely they should be pulled up for such conflicting information.

If they can't do as simple as thing as figure out what they are putting in their beverages, then what sort of company is it?

I doubt it's simply a case of an ingredient/process change.

Mellor

I think a lot of vegetarians would still consider Guinness vegetarian if the issinglas was removed.
Vegans obviously wouldn't

rubadub

sweet-rasmus wrote: »

Dungarvan Stout, made in Waterford.

I think their stout won an award at an international brewing comp recently, there are lots of new Irish stouts out there, most far superior to guinness, and since they are small craft brewers I imagine many are not using additives like inisglass

Absurdum

Dungarvan Black Rock Stout is lovely so it is, everyone should go to the Irish Craft Beerfest!

Absurd funfact: Craft brewers account for about 5% of beer consumed in US, but 50% of all brewery jobs.

kraggy

Mellor wrote: »

I think a lot of vegetarians would still consider Guinness vegetarian if the issinglas was removed.
Vegans obviously wouldn't

I wouldn't and most vegetarians on here wouldn't. The reason is that whether or not it's in the final product, isinglass comes from an animal that has died for the purposes of use by humans.

Anyway, Guinness themselves say that they cannot guarantee that all of the isinglass is removed.

Mellor

kraggy wrote: »

I wouldn't and most vegetarians on here wouldn't. The reason is that whether or not it's in the final product, isinglass comes from an animal that has died for the purposes of use by humans.

Anyway, Guinness themselves say that they cannot guarantee that all of the isinglass is removed.

That's why I never said all.
There are plenty of vegetarians who simple don't eat meat. But wouldn't be as concerned with gelatin, rennet etc. I had to tell one vegetarian about parmesan before.
I would imagine isinglass is even less of a concern. some people its purely a taste texture thing, not a moral thing etc

I'm not saying its right or wrong, people are free to eat what they like imo, but i was just pointing this out. I would imagine that the users of the forum are more likely to not consume these products.