This isn't a review for the Oregon brewery, but instead of my new favorite Guinness mix. Six or so months ago I was at a nice restaurant; I asked the waiter if they had either Guinness or Smithwick's on tap (these are my two favorite common beers). I hesitated for about 1/2 a second trying to decide on my food pairing, when the waiter recomended a blacksmith. Upon my puzzled look he informed me that a blacksmith was a Guinness and Smithwick's poured like a black & tan [with Smithwick's on the bottom]; I tried 3 to make sure I liked it.

I highly recomend that both be drawn from a tap, I have tried this at home with bottled, and it's definetly not as good. I would also recomend finding a bartender who actualy knows how to pour properly as it's important. A direct pour of both will still taste good, but is not prefered.

For those who would like to know the proper pour steps for any mixed Guiness

1. Hold glass at an angle and fill to just over halfway with in our case Smithwick's.
2. Pour draught Guinness over a pouring spoon or upside-down spoon in a pinch
   • In a double pinch you can also slow the flow control down to about a trickle, letting the beer hit the side of the glass on filling
     
3. Let the glass surge and settle before enjoying!

You will most likely not find a bartender who knows what this is unless they are a decent place. I've had this drink out about 2 dozen times in the last 6 months and only 3 places knew what a blacksmith was and only about 6-7 of those knew how to pour. Hard nosed Gusinness consumers will most likely snub their nose at anything other than a genuine black & tan or black & fog, but there are so good mixes out there (as well as a number of very bad ones). Personally I think worth mentioning are:

• Black & Tan: Guinness & Bass
• Black Fog: Guinness with a drizzle of Chambord liqueur
  
• Blacksmith: Guinness & Smithwick’s
• Half & Half: Guinness & Harp