Guinness Black Lager marked an unusual departure from tradition for the Irish brewery. In 2011, Guinness released its first lager, brewed with roasted barley and late-hopped with Amarillo. The result is a light, refreshing dark lager with understated roasted character—coffee and molasses notes in the background, without the full intensity of their signature stout.

At just 4.5% ABV and 135 calories per bottle, this beer was designed for easy drinking. The cold-brewing process combined with Guinness's roasted malt bill created something in between: crisp and clean, yet unmistakably marked by subtle roasted flavours. Though short-lived in the market, it remains a curious footnote in Guinness's 250-year story.