American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
(Garrett Oliver: Courtesy Guinness / Brooklyn Brewery)
Guinness and Brooklyn Brewery have announced the launch of a limited-edition beer brewed in support of the Brewing for Impact – a collaborative initiative inspired by Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster Garrett Oliver’s pioneering work with the West African grain, fonio.
Guinness Fonio Stout celebrates the rich global history of Guinness, and blends Irish heritage with the vibrancy of West African culture as well as the visionary spirit of Garrett Oliver.
Oliver has enjoyed a 30-year run at Brooklyn Brewery and inspired the Brewing for Impact initiative. Launched in celebration of James Beard Award Winning Brewmaster, Brewing for Impact is a global initiative that has united breweries from around the world in a mission to drive social change through beer.
(Courtesy Guinness)
Launched in recognition of Oliver’s pioneering work with fonio—an ancient West African grain lauded for its resilience and cultural significance—the campaign brings together renowned brewing partners including Guinness, Thornbridge in the UK, Sweden’s Omnipollo , Denmark-based Carlsberg, Russian River in the US, China’s Jing-A and Brooklyn Brewery itself.
This year, each brewery has created a unique beer featuring fonio, honoring the grain’s role in African heritage and supporting the, predominantly women-led livelihoods of West African farmers.
Through Brewing for Impact, Garrett Oliver and his collaborators are reimagining the brewing landscape, using innovative ingredients to celebrate global heritage and inspire the next generation of brewers worldwide.
“In some ways ‘Brewing For Impact’ is the most important work I’ve ever done,” said Oliver. “If what we’ve started truly catches hold in the industry, we will hopefully start seeing the wider use of a grain that has no need for irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides or other chemical inputs.
“Fonio also supports soil regeneration while providing a vital source of income for thousands of smallholder farms in West Africa, which are predominantly female-led…all while making some really fantastic beers,” Oliver added. “What more can you ask for?
Available exclusively in New York, Northern New Jersey, and select regional chains through December 31, Guinness Fonio Stout is a 6.2% ABV regional release that is also available at Guinness Open Gate Breweries in Chicago and Baltimore while supplies last.
“Guinness is the first beer I ever loved,” said Oliver. “And to be able to share my passion for brewing and for sustainability by creating this Fonio Stout for a brand that’s known for cultivating connections across the globe – well, it’s been a dream realized.
“Working together, Guinness and I have the same vision – to ensure no matter where you are in the world or how you choose to celebrate, there’s a great beer to help you enjoy yourself.”
Designed by Haitian American artist Kervin Brisseaux, the beer’s very cool packaging artwork celebrates Guinness’s centuries-long history in Africa, blended with the heartbeats of Brooklyn.
