Starbucks tests out a new dark barrel latte, concocted to taste like Guinness.
For this fall's offering, the coffee retailer introduces a beer-flavored coffee. The dark barrel latte is topped with whipped cream, dark caramel sauce, and coffee syrup. Surprisingly, there's no alcohol in the new drink.
It joins fall's season favorite such as Pumpkin Spice Latte and Oprah Chai Latter. The training module distributed among Starbucks worker described the latte as something that "highlights chocolaty dark caramel and toasty stout flavors."
Starbucks said the latter is inspired by the rise of craft beer. The drink can also be served as an iced beverage or a frappuccino. The manual said it doesn't contain mocha or beer.
The product is being tested out in Columbus, Ohio and some Florida locations. Besides filling out the evaluation forms in participating stores, customers are taking it to Twitter to voice out what they think of the latte.
A customer from Columbus said that it won't be her last, while another says it's "not bad" and Tweeted with the hashtag #thenewwhitegirlwasted.
However, the response to the new latte aren't all favorable. Others say that they'd rather have their coffee taste like coffee, or better yet, a coffee-flavored beer. Customers add that if they want beer, then they're rather buy Guinness than buy a coffee that tastes like one. Though they haven't tasted it yet, some already say they're not ready to have beer for breakfast.
A Washington Post editor, J. Freedom du Lac, tweeted, "I'll have a large iced NOPE, please."
While most agree that the dark barrel latte does taste like Guinness, there's no definite verdict on whether it's a good thing.
Starbucks is testing other flavors such as Cherries Jubilee Mocha and Chestnut Praline Latte.
