A Black and Tan

Don't Ask for a Black and Tan


People will be celebrating St Patrick's Day by "wearing of the green" (originally just a small shamrock on a lapel), enjoying a hearty plate of corned beef and cabbage (practically never eaten in Ireland), and washing it down with a pint of green beer (usually a cheap beer mixed with green food coloring).

Since my husband comes from a very large Irish family most think we'll be doing the same, but they'd be so wrong...

I don't particularly like corned beef and I don't think he's ever asked for cabbage. Not to say we haven't cooked it, both in the oven and with a slow cooker.  Neither makes a big hit and there are no "let's have this again soon" voiced.

Nevertheless, I got to thinking that it might be time to have something I do like...the Guinness in a "black and tan". 

Mostly, I enjoy a glass of white wine and mainly a local one, but that's a story for another day.

A black and tan is a blend of pale ale (Bass - sorry, but I think it's mainly from England)) and a dark beer (Guinness Draught which is Irish).   When poured correctly, it layers into a light tan bottom, dark almost black layer over that and a slightly frothy top.  It's delicious...creamy, rich, flavorful. (I try not to think of the calories)

(from Wikipedia) To prepare a Black and Tan in the American way, first fill a glass halfway with the ale, then add the Guinness Draught (from the can, bottle, or tap). The top layer is best poured slowly over an upside-down tablespoon placed over the glass to avoid splashing and mixing the layers. A specially designed black-and-tan spoon is bent in the middle so that it can balance on the edge of the pint-glass for easier pouring.

It's an art form.

I'll order a black and tan maybe two or three times a year.  Usually the desire for one hits at the end of a warm summer's day.   If the meal is casual and something spicy, served outdoors with a fiery sunset as the backdrop, all the better.

Regrettably I only just learned how the asking for a "black and tan" would truly offend most of the older folk in Ireland.  It was the nickname given to a menacing military force and recalls a time of hardship and oppression in the Irish history of the last century.

In the 1920s the Irish again began a Home Rule movement in it's longstanding pursuit for independence.  Hoping to stop the insurrection, Churchill sent a military group there to break the IRA.  Initially the intent was to reinforce the regular police in their job maintaining British rule.  Reportedly, most of the group, just back from experiencing the horrors of trench warfare in Europe, were not adequately trained to serve as police, and certainly ill-prepared to deal with the guerrilla tactics used by the IRA.  Civilian rights were frequently disregarded.   When one of the British force was hurt or killed, retribution toward the whole community took place.  Said to be poorly disciplined, the constables ignored basic laws and many atrocities were committed against the general population.   Early on, increasingly large numbers of these "constables" were sent and because of the ensuing shortage of uniforms (it was just post WWI) they ended up patrolling the streets in a mixture of khaki army uniforms (pants) and the dark green or dark blue surplus tops of the RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary), hence coined the "black and tans"  by the Irish.  Seems the phrase "black and tan"  was originally used in the 1800s when talking about hunting dogs (mainly coon-hounds).  The group was a dismal failure, generating much ill will and hostility on both sides.   It is felt that this abuse of power and "frequently crossing the line" alienated public opinion and allowed the IRA to expand and justify the murders and violence of subsequent decades.

The menace of the "black and tans" is still talked about by Irish elders as they pass down their stories of subjugation and brutality.

I'm hoping to visit Ireland in the not too distant future and will definitely not be using this term when asking for a pint at any of their local pubs.

In March of 2006 Ben and Jerry's released an ice cream flavor named "Black and Tan" and received a lot of harsh feedback from Irish Americans knowing the phrase's historical importance.

Also, just recently, Nike announced (again maybe innocently) they are launching a new line of men's sneakers called "Black and Tans" and it's already generated some chatter.read more.

Hope I'm not being too gloomy.

Happy St Patrick's Day,

Here's an Irish tiara (3 Celtic Trinity Knots)

3/17/12 update  Nike Black And Tan Sneaker Gets A New Name. Company Apologizes After Irish Uproar