Stout Brummie (a Birmingham alternative to Guinness!)
Stout Brummie (also in a ‘sober version’) is Birmingham’s answer to Guinness. Profits stay within the West Midlands, unlike big brands that go off to shareholders who-knows-where. And a portion of profits from these stouts are donated to local charities (presently an air ambulance and Sober Brummie, which helps locals with alcohol addiction). It also sells other beers.
If you run a shop, off license, pub, restaurant or hotel, get in touch for trade order queries. The portal is simple to use with discount tiers set up, live stock counts, clear shipping info and costs, and the opportunity for online direct payments.
0.5% is the legal ‘no alcohol’ label, but know that even bread and fruit has a little. So it’s still best to avoid for pregnancy and nursing.
Before recycling, pop the ring-pulls back over the cans, to help avoid wildlife getting caught inside. Set up a can recycling program to raise money for your community!
Never buy beers wrapped in plastic rings, they harm wildlife (if you see any, rip the holes and dispose of in a secure (not open) bin.
Guinness Is Not Even Irish!
Guinness is now vegan (after a campaign) but still owned by a big multi-national. It’s not even Irish, as the brand was founded by an anti-Catholic entrepreneur, though to be fair, he did use profits to donate to peace organisations.
But when the newly-formed Irish government wanted to use the harp as its symbol, Mr Guinness wouldn’t let them (he held the copyright). So the government got creative, and used the harp anyway, just facing the other way! If you look closely, you’ll notice that the Irish government’s harp symbol and the Guinness harp, do indeed face different directions.
Belhaven stout is not vegan, as it’s filtered with isinglass (fish gelatine).
Other Good Vegan Artisan Stouts
- Below Brew Pastry Stout (low alcohol) is like ‘liquid chocolate’, with flavours of chocolate and honeycomb (sounds like a Crunchie bar!)
- Stroud Brewery Big Cat Stout is (like all their beers) vegan-friendly. Brewed in a town that is known as ‘Notting Hill with wellies!’
- Girls Who Grind Coffee also offer a no-alcohol vegan stout, an ideal alternative to Guinness.
