Not too long ago I was told by a waiter at Wilde Rover in Kirkland that a "Black and Tan" was actually Guinness and Bass IPA. What I wanted, he said, (Guinness and Harp) was a "half and half". I enjoyed that potion and, moved by the spirit of Old World charm around me, ordered it when we arrived at the Punch (as in Punch and Judy) Tavern in Blackfriar's.
What I got didn't look like a half and half or a black and tan; rather it looked like a straight-up Guinness with a taste of "Guinness-lite" so I knew something was up. Suspecting I had contributed to the overall negative impression of Americans, I inquired with the server about my order. Only when pressed did he gently allow that no, nobody ordered such a thing in London sans the occasional American tourist. Alas.
I've also since learned from Wikipedia that one really ought to avoid the "black and tan" term altogether as it can be considered offensive. I think I'll just stick with some lager.
What I got didn't look like a half and half or a black and tan; rather it looked like a straight-up Guinness with a taste of "Guinness-lite" so I knew something was up. Suspecting I had contributed to the overall negative impression of Americans, I inquired with the server about my order. Only when pressed did he gently allow that no, nobody ordered such a thing in London sans the occasional American tourist. Alas.
I've also since learned from Wikipedia that one really ought to avoid the "black and tan" term altogether as it can be considered offensive. I think I'll just stick with some lager.