Guinness brings sweet, savoury, malty notes with an addictive bitterness,” says chef and restaurateur Robin Gill. Just like Marmite, he says, “people who like it absolutely love it”, and it’s not hard to see why. When deployed in those cakes and stews, Guinness adds a great depth of flavour, which is why Dee Rettali, co-founder of Fortitude Bakehouse in London, includes it in her chocolate cake. “It also helps with the fermentation, because we keep the prepared batter for two days before baking,” she says. “The batter is then bubbly and stouty, which gives the cake a rich, slightly bitter, coffee taste that is beautifully offset by a sweet, creme fraiche icing.” Although my partner’s conversation is obviously hilarious and enthralling, I paid attention to the plates of food that happened to pass by our table.

Tony’s question is particularly well-timed, because Guinness welcomes winter spices – think cloves, juniper, allspice, cinnamon. A steamed syrup pudding is, Flynn says, an excellent example: “Add Guinness and some maple or golden syrup, and it will be amazing.” As with all good relationships, it’s important to take things slowly, though. “Because of the bitterness, play around with Guinness in moderation at first,” Flynn advises. Do that, he says, and you’ll find a “worthwhile burst of flavour”. The brand's founder says the micro-brewery isn't the only new toy the bar will have to play around with.In advance of the launch, Lynn has created several portraits of British celebrities including; Peter Capaldi, Sean Connery, Irvine Welsh and Ed Sheeran - all painted using Innis & Gunn's Kith & Kin stout.

The huge brewpub/restaurant, which opened last month, has appeal to beer aficionados and novices alike. With a total capacity of 396, it spans 6,000 square feet across three floors in the former home of Ketchup and its upstairs neighbour The Research Club. The brewer is leasing the building from Stefan King’s G1 Group, but has full control over operations.Sharp says that local beer fans and visitors to the city can expect great beer (brewed by Ashton Lane head brewer Digger Robinson), delicious food and loads of innovation.

We also have the barrel aging room where we plan to mature a range of different beers in miniaturised (virgin) oak barrels so you'll be able to go in and actually taste beer from an oak barrel and actually see the effect that it has on the flavour.Perfect for: If, like me, it has been a while since you last ventured down Ashton Lane, The Beer Kitchen offers something new to an area that was in need of a bit of a boost. So get some friends and go drink some great beer.