The Tulsa Food Blog

I thought it only fitting that my first entry be about Guinness.  It is, after all, the drink that opened my eyes and got me into beer in the first place.  I actually owe it all to a bartender named Jason at the Madhatter Pub, in Blackrock, Ireland.  Upon my trying to order a Smithwick’s, he said “Sorry, lad. Only Guinness in this pub.” And so it began.

Guinness is one of the more misunderstood beverages.  It is, by most serious beer drinker accounts, a mild beer.  Yet so many believe it is heavy and like drinking motor oil.  Here are a few of the facts: Guinness is low in calories, about 10 calories per ounce, or the same as a domestic light beer.  It is low in alcohol, at about 4% alcohol by volume.  Since it’s mixed with Aligal gas – 70% nitrogen to 30% CO2 – it is actually less filling.  It has vitamin B, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, riboflavin, antioxidants – it’s a virtual health shake. It should be served at 42 degrees, not room temperature.  A proper poor involves two steps, not one or three. It is dark because the malt is roasted, just like a coffee bean, not because it is heartier.

Guinness is by all accounts a session beer – something mild that you can drink all night. It seems important for me to start here, though.  It is the drink that opened my eyes to what could be, and it is still my favorite drink to this day.  And on a cold, rainy Autumn day like this, nothing seems more right than sitting in a pub and having a few pints.  It’s like seeing an old friend…like drinking a hug.

About Elliot Nelson:

Elliot Nelson is a Tulsa restaurateur responsible for bringing Tulsa four great establishments: McNellies, Dilly Deli, El Guapo and Yokozuna.  Elliot has traveled the world to find the best food and cultures to create a unique experience for all of his guests.   As a frequent contributor to the Tulsa Food Blog, Elliot will bring articles about food and culture from around the world, great beers and wines, and how to incorporate them into your lifestyle.  All of Elliot’s Tulsa restaurants are located in the Blue Dome District in Downtown Tulsa, OK. He has also opened a McNellies location in Midtown Oklahoma City, OK and is planning to open a location in Norman, OK this year.

Stay tuned for more articles from Elliot Nelson…For more information or to visit one of Elliot’s restaurants visit the links below:

McNellies:  http://www.mcnellies.com
Dilly Deli:   http://www.dillydelitulsa.com
El Guapo:  http://www.elguaposcantina.net
Yokozuna: http://www.yokozunatulsa.com