"NOT everything in black and white makes sense." For those you can't remember, that was one of the many taglines used in Guinness ads over the years, long after they were forced to dump the claim the black stuff had some sort of transformative medicinal benefit.
Of course, fans of Newcastle United would probably agree with the sentiment (the black and white thing that is, not the 'Guinness is good for you line' - they're more into their brown ale there).
The notion that 'black and white' represent the clearest and most straightforward of any situation have been challenged over the years, not least by the ska music scene - the two-tone garb many of its exponents wore somewhat at odds with the mash-up of reggae and UK punk, with a few horns thrown in for good measure.
That's part of the inspiration between a couple of recently new released beers from Dublin-based Rascals brewery who have plugged into the ska theme with their Rude Boy and Rude Girl beers, which seek to somewhat subvert traditional styles.
First up is Rude Boy, which is the rarely-spotted white stout. Clocking in at 4.5 per cent, it's a beer which plays with the mind as it looks ever inch an amber ale. However, roasted malts and the addition of coffee beans provide classic stout flavours.
There's a little hint of chocolate on the nose and those rich flavours follow on into the taste with a little kick of coffee too. The malt brings sweet, caramel tones of a pale ale but there is a smoothness which, if you closed your eyes, you'd swear was coming from stout or porter. There's minimal bitterness and a little sweet and fruity edge.
On the flip side, Rude Girl is a black IPA, a style I'm a bit more familiar with. This is one that pours like a stout, with a dark, black beer sitting under a slightly off-white head.
It fires of roasty aromas, but there's a little bit of stone fruit in there as well, which tick a few of the IPA boxes. Although, there is a fair bit of roasted malt going on here which give it coffee and chocolate tones and a dry finish.
On top of that, though, you get some fruity and slightly peppery flavours from the hops, which all adds to a pretty complex and enjoyable beer.
