Answers.Body: <p>A half and half is a Guinness with Harp. </p>
  
  <p>This style of beer combination is accomplished by using a dense beer on the bottom followed by a beer of lesser density on the top (usually poured over a spoon to ensure that it doesn't sink through).</p>
  
  <p>Essentially it is usually an ale or lager underneath a stout. Some popular versions and combinations include</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>The Trinity<br>
  Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp</li>
  <li>Blacksmith<br>
  Guinness &amp; Smithwick’s Irish Ale</li>
  <li>Black &amp; Black<br>
  Guinness &amp; Guinness Stout</li>
  <li>Black Pyramid<br>
  Guinness &amp; Pyramid</li>
  <li>Black &amp; Gold<br>
  Guinness &amp; Magner’s Cider</li>
  <li>Black &amp; Red<br>
  Guinness &amp; Killian’s Irish Red</li>
  <li>Black &amp; Sam<br>
  Guinness &amp; Sam Adams</li>
  <li>Black &amp; Fire<br>
  Guinness &amp; Firestone</li>
  <li>Black Coffee<br>
  Guinness &amp; Black Butte Porter</li>
  <li>Eclipse<br>
  Guinness &amp; Blue Moon</li>
  <li>Black Castle<br>
  Guinness &amp; Newcastle</li>
  <li>Black on Blonde<br>
  Guinness &amp; Stella Artois</li>
  <li>Black Tire<br>
  Guinness &amp; Fat Tire</li>
  <li>Black Torpedo<br>
  Guinness &amp; Sierra Nevada</li>
  <li>Dark &amp; Steamy<br>
  Guinness &amp; Anchor Steam</li>
  <li>Irish American<br>
  Guinness &amp; Budweiser</li>
  <li>The Noogie<br>
  Guinness &amp; Pabst Blue Ribbon</li>
  <li>Half &amp; Half<br>
  Guinness &amp; Harp</li>
  <li>Black &amp; Tan<br>
  Guinness &amp; Bass</li>
  <li>San Patricios<br>
  Guinness &amp; Corona</li>
  </ul>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-09-23T11:34:44.580Z
Answers.Text: Rich Man's Black Velvet: Guinness and Champagne
Answers.UserDisplayName: Atron Seige
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-01-30T17:38:43.607Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-01-30T17:38:43.607Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Travis J
Answers.Body: <p>I think it all depends on your personal preference. There are many different combinations out there such as the Black and Tan, but some companies have also started coming out with six packs that they intend for you to mix. Shock Top, for example, released a six pack that featured their Chocolate Wheat and their Belgium White. </p>
  
  <p>What I would do is think of a dark beer you enjoy and then a lighter (but still flavorful beer) that you like and just experiment with mixing them. In my case I would choose to mix Left Hand Milk Stout and a Kentucky Kolsch. Let me know what you try! I am curious! </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-01-29T00:56:23.027Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-01-29T00:56:23.027Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: JLott
Answers.Body: <p>In a Half and Half (also known as a "Black and Tan" in certain locations), the primary factor will be the density of the two beers -- one beer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_Tan#Preparation">must be of a lesser density</a> than the other to stay afloat.  Contrasting colors are used for visual effect; otherwise, how might you know one was floating?</p>
  
  <p>Common recipes involve floating the less dense Guinness over a Bass, or a Guinness over a Harp Lager.  Its Guinness' particular light density that makes it a good candidate for so many half-and-half style recipes.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-06-30T15:54:58.090Z
Answers.Text: I know this is old but, no one else has mentioned it... it's bad practice to call it a Black and Tan especially in an Irish bar. They're fine to drink just, when ordering, specify the types of beer, like 'half Guinness, half Bass'. While the term Black and Tan predates this by a little bit, there's an association between Black and Tans and a vicious paramilitary group in Ireland. Since we're using Irish beers, it's best to be respectful. I know a lot of bars list it as a Black and Tan, it's because they don't know any better.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Montijello
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-01-28T19:35:52.560Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-01-28T19:35:52.560Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: object88
Answers.Body: <p>At our local pub the <strong>Eclipse</strong> (Guinness &amp; Blue Moon) is also referred to as
  a <strong>Dark Side of the Moon</strong></p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Black Raspberry - Guinness w/ Lindemans Raspberry Frambois</li>
  <li>Black Death - Guinness w/ Black Widow Cider </li>
  </ul>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-07-04T11:10:59.197Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-07-04T11:10:59.197Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Lucky Murphy
Answers.Body: <p>Personally when creating a "Half and Half", Guiness is the only constant.  The other beer is usually something only lighter in color.  Wheat beers have an interesting flavor.  IPA's have their bitterness cut when made into a Half and Half.</p>
  
  <p>Beyond that, I will sometimes select the beer so that the drink gets an awesome name:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Black and Blue - Guiness w/ Labatt Blue</li>
  <li>Black Sunset - Guiness w/ Leinie's Sunset Wheat</li>
  <li>Black Cow - Guiness w/ New Glarus Spotted Cow</li>
  </ul>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-01-28T20:17:57.463Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-01-28T20:17:57.463Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Schleis
Answers.Body: <p>Guinness isn't the only dark beer to layer with. Porters can be used to as a bottom layer to give you a dark-on-bottom drink.  Check it all out at <a href="http://www.theperfectblackandtan.com/blog" rel="nofollow">The Perfect Black and Tan.</a></p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-12-11T03:44:30.330Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2016-10-06T13:26:25.727Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2016-10-06T13:26:25.727Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: TPBT
Answers.Body: <p>It is more than color.  You need the other beer to have a different density from Guinness, at least if you want it to stay separated for any length of time. And be careful which Guinness you use because there are a number of them out there with different "strengths".  If the densities are too close, they'll mix together.  </p>
  
  <p>A good starting point in selecting interesting combinations is to look at the <a href="http://www.brewersfriend.com/2009/02/04/beer-styles-original-gravity-and-final-gravity-chart/" rel="nofollow">densities across different styles</a>.  Pick two that are widely different and find bottles of each.  For instance, if you take a bottle of a kriek (red-looking fruit lambic), it would probably float nicely on most other beers, but you'd want to pick a nice, dark beer to show off the contrast (plus, if you used a kriek (cherry) or frambois (raspberry), pairing it with a porter or stout that has nice chocolate tones would taste very nice).  Likewise, just about anything would float on a bock or a strong scotch ale like a "wee heavy".</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-11-23T16:01:09.297Z
Answers.Text: Another trick to do is make sure the denser beer, the one you pour first, is nice and cold.  For the top beer, have it at room temperature or cellar temperature and that will help keep them separated when pouring.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Dave
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-10-06T13:47:55.250Z
Answers.Text: I'm sorry if this sounds silly but it's not meant to be.  In terms of drinking the half-and-half, would you use a straw?   Besides temperature differences to keep the bears seperate what else could you do (when drinking) to drink half and half and not simply a mixture of 2 bears.  I thought of making this comment a question of it's.  If I get an answer perhaps I will.
Answers.UserDisplayName: user6035379
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-10-07T21:24:52.693Z
Answers.Text: It is all a matter of preference.  If you want to be fun, you could use a straw and drink the bottom beer first.  The layered look is done as much for aesthetics as anything else.  I tip them to my mouth as usual, maybe sometimes trying to take care not to disturb it too much, but it really starts to mix once you've brought it to your mouth and back.  Check out [this page](http://www.theperfectblackandtan.com/blog/category/Triple%20layer) for some excellent examples of layered beers (even 3 layers).
Answers.UserDisplayName: Dave
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-11-23T15:58:19.173Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2015-11-23T15:58:19.173Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Dave
Answers.Body: <p>I just asked for a half and half but this place didn't have Guiness so the bartender told me to try it with Murphy's and Harp instead. Total fail. The densities were too similar and one mixed into the other. Not awful flavor just not a Black and Tan. </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-12-15T04:00:13.570Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-12-15T04:00:13.570Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Mike dC
Answers.Body: <p>Guinness and Harp - a Half &amp; Half</p>
  
  <p>Guinness and Ale - Bass, Smithwick's, or John Courage is a Black and Tan.</p>
  
  <p>The thought of attempting to properly pour either using lite beer is deplorable!</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-04-20T23:28:28.947Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-04-20T23:28:28.947Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Hank Scully
Body: <p>Which types of beer are commonly used to create half-and-half beers?</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/J5hZd.jpg" alt="half-and-half beer"></p>
  
  <p>In frequent recipes are only beers of contrasting colours being used (like pilsener vs porter or pale lager vs stout) or other combinations are being commonly used too? What are some of the most popular recipes?</p>
  
Tags: <colour><beer-cocktails>
Title: Which types of beer are commonly used for half-and-half beers?
UserDisplayName: pabouk - Ukraine stay strong
ThreadText: # Which types of beer are commonly used for half-and-half beers?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2014-01-28)
  
  Which types of beer are commonly used to create half-and-half beers?
  
  ![half-and-half beer](https://i.sstatic.net/J5hZd.jpg)
  
  In frequent recipes are only beers of contrasting colours being used (like pilsener vs porter or pale lager vs stout) or other combinations are being commonly used too? What are some of the most popular recipes?
  
  **Tags:** colour, beer-cocktails
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 9 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2014-01-28. Score: 12 | Accepted answer
  
  In a Half and Half (also known as a "Black and Tan" in certain locations), the primary factor will be the density of the two beers -- one beer [must be of a lesser density](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_Tan#Preparation) than the other to stay afloat. Contrasting colors are used for visual effect; otherwise, how might you know one was floating?
  
  Common recipes involve floating the less dense Guinness over a Bass, or a Guinness over a Harp Lager. Its Guinness' particular light density that makes it a good candidate for so many half-and-half style recipes.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_5**: I know this is old but, no one else has mentioned it... it's bad practice to call it a Black and Tan especially in an Irish bar. They're fine to drink just, when ordering, specify the types of beer, like 'half Guinness, half Bass'. While the term Black and Tan predates this by a little bit, there's an association between Black and Tans and a vicious paramilitary group in Ireland. Since we're using Irish beers, it's best to be respectful. I know a lot of bars list it as a Black and Tan, it's because they don't know any better.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2014-01-30. Score: 8
  
  A half and half is a Guinness with Harp.
  
  This style of beer combination is accomplished by using a dense beer on the bottom followed by a beer of lesser density on the top (usually poured over a spoon to ensure that it doesn't sink through).
  
  Essentially it is usually an ale or lager underneath a stout. Some popular versions and combinations include
  
  * The Trinity  
    Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp
  * Blacksmith  
    Guinness & Smithwick’s Irish Ale
  * Black & Black  
    Guinness & Guinness Stout
  * Black Pyramid  
    Guinness & Pyramid
  * Black & Gold  
    Guinness & Magner’s Cider
  * Black & Red  
    Guinness & Killian’s Irish Red
  * Black & Sam  
    Guinness & Sam Adams
  * Black & Fire  
    Guinness & Firestone
  * Black Coffee  
    Guinness & Black Butte Porter
  * Eclipse  
    Guinness & Blue Moon
  * Black Castle  
    Guinness & Newcastle
  * Black on Blonde  
    Guinness & Stella Artois
  * Black Tire  
    Guinness & Fat Tire
  * Black Torpedo  
    Guinness & Sierra Nevada
  * Dark & Steamy  
    Guinness & Anchor Steam
  * Irish American  
    Guinness & Budweiser
  * The Noogie  
    Guinness & Pabst Blue Ribbon
  * Half & Half  
    Guinness & Harp
  * Black & Tan  
    Guinness & Bass
  * San Patricios  
    Guinness & Corona
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_2**: Rich Man's Black Velvet: Guinness and Champagne  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2014-01-29. Score: 7
  
  I think it all depends on your personal preference. There are many different combinations out there such as the Black and Tan, but some companies have also started coming out with six packs that they intend for you to mix. Shock Top, for example, released a six pack that featured their Chocolate Wheat and their Belgium White.
  
  What I would do is think of a dark beer you enjoy and then a lighter (but still flavorful beer) that you like and just experiment with mixing them. In my case I would choose to mix Left Hand Milk Stout and a Kentucky Kolsch. Let me know what you try! I am curious!
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2019-07-04. Score: 4
  
  At our local pub the **Eclipse** (Guinness & Blue Moon) is also referred to as
  a **Dark Side of the Moon**
  
  * Black Raspberry - Guinness w/ Lindemans Raspberry Frambois
  * Black Death - Guinness w/ Black Widow Cider
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_7 on 2014-01-28. Score: 4
  
  Personally when creating a "Half and Half", Guiness is the only constant. The other beer is usually something only lighter in color. Wheat beers have an interesting flavor. IPA's have their bitterness cut when made into a Half and Half.
  
  Beyond that, I will sometimes select the beer so that the drink gets an awesome name:
  
  * Black and Blue - Guiness w/ Labatt Blue
  * Black Sunset - Guiness w/ Leinie's Sunset Wheat
  * Black Cow - Guiness w/ New Glarus Spotted Cow
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_8 on 2014-12-11. Score: 3
  
  Guinness isn't the only dark beer to layer with. Porters can be used to as a bottom layer to give you a dark-on-bottom drink. Check it all out at [The Perfect Black and Tan.](http://www.theperfectblackandtan.com/blog)
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_9 on 2015-11-23. Score: 2
  
  It is more than color. You need the other beer to have a different density from Guinness, at least if you want it to stay separated for any length of time. And be careful which Guinness you use because there are a number of them out there with different "strengths". If the densities are too close, they'll mix together.
  
  A good starting point in selecting interesting combinations is to look at the [densities across different styles](http://www.brewersfriend.com/2009/02/04/beer-styles-original-gravity-and-final-gravity-chart/). Pick two that are widely different and find bottles of each. For instance, if you take a bottle of a kriek (red-looking fruit lambic), it would probably float nicely on most other beers, but you'd want to pick a nice, dark beer to show off the contrast (plus, if you used a kriek (cherry) or frambois (raspberry), pairing it with a porter or stout that has nice chocolate tones would taste very nice). Likewise, just about anything would float on a bock or a strong scotch ale like a "wee heavy".
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_9**: Another trick to do is make sure the denser beer, the one you pour first, is nice and cold.  For the top beer, have it at room temperature or cellar temperature and that will help keep them separated when pouring.  
  > **username_10**: I'm sorry if this sounds silly but it's not meant to be.  In terms of drinking the half-and-half, would you use a straw?   Besides temperature differences to keep the bears seperate what else could you do (when drinking) to drink half and half and not simply a mixture of 2 bears.  I thought of making this comment a question of it's.  If I get an answer perhaps I will.  
  > **username_9**: It is all a matter of preference.  If you want to be fun, you could use a straw and drink the bottom beer first.  The layered look is done as much for aesthetics as anything else.  I tip them to my mouth as usual, maybe sometimes trying to take care not to disturb it too much, but it really starts to mix once you've brought it to your mouth and back.  Check out [this page](http://www.theperfectblackandtan.com/blog/category/Triple%20layer) for some excellent examples of layered beers (even 3 layers).  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_11 on 2018-12-15. Score: 1
  
  I just asked for a half and half but this place didn't have Guiness so the bartender told me to try it with Murphy's and Harp instead. Total fail. The densities were too similar and one mixed into the other. Not awful flavor just not a Black and Tan.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_12 on 2020-04-20. Score: 1
  
  Guinness and Harp - a Half & Half
  
  Guinness and Ale - Bass, Smithwick's, or John Courage is a Black and Tan.
  
  The thought of attempting to properly pour either using lite beer is deplorable!
  
  
  ---
  
  