We’re almost nearing the end of the year, and the vibrant festivities in this ever-bustling city of Jakarta show no sign of stopping. The renowned Irish beer brand, Guinness, has brought October to a lively close with Guinness Brighter Together – an event that beautifully combines art, music, and culinary delights.

Held at Senayan Park on the 27th and 28th of October 2023, this two-day celebration is all about embracing the diversity of the arts and encouraging participants to infuse their performances with the spirit of collaboration.

While it boasts an impressive lineup of top-tier musicians such as Efek Rumah Kaca, Seringai, Kelompok Penerbang Roket, The Adams, Ali, The S.I.G.I.T, Stars and Rabbit, and many more, the spotlight extends beyond just the musical maestros. Through the Guinness Flavor by Fire series of events, visitors are treated to performances that feature a fusion of culinary talents from Warpopski, Dapur Bandha, Mili Bakehouse, and Omah Jangan Diam.

 

Guinness Brewery Experience

As we walk through the entrance, the Guinness Brewery Experience warmly greets us. This interactive exhibition offers a glimpse into the history and the intricate brewing process behind a glass of Guinness.

Visitors get to trace the journey of the Guinness brand, from its inception to becoming the world’s No. 1 Stout, along with its remarkable achievements in Indonesia. Here, we can closely observe the brewing process and the ingredients used in creating Guinness, experiencing firsthand what sets Guinness apart from other beers.

The Guinness Brewery boasts a legacy that predates the introduction of stout in Ireland. The earliest brewing records, which date back to the late 1790s. Porter, the precursor of stout, initially arrived from London, and Guinness embarked on its journey to experiment with this style in the early 1800s. The porters of that era were robust, brown, barrel-aged, and wine-like, presenting a stark contrast to the familiar Guinness Draught we enjoy today. Crafted using coarse, smoky brown malt, it began as a rather unappealing, acrid-looking brew that must have left much to be desired.

The Guinness Brewery Experience provides a captivating glimpse, not only into the rich heritage of the Guinness family and the brewing innovations that have been pivotal to their success, but also into the intricate details of the brewing process.

Flavor by Fire

No celebration is complete without a delectable feast to satisfy our taste buds. The Guinness Brighter Together festival, known for its musical extravaganza and cool pints of beer, also shines a spotlight on some well-known culinary brands. Beyond setting up food booths, these four culinary brands – Warpopski, Dapur Bandha, Mili Bakehouse, and Omah Jangan Diam – showcased their creativity on the Guinness Flavor by Fire stage.

Focusing on collaboration, Guinness Flavor by Fire featured collaborations between Dapur Bandha and Mili Bakehouse, as well as Warpopski and Omah Jangan Diam. What made their offerings truly special was that each dish was crafted using Guinness as one of its key ingredients.

Guinness Stout and Guinness Smooth took center stage that evening. The Guinness Stout offers aromas of toffee, toasted malts, and dark fruit. Its full-bodied taste brings a hoppy flavor distinct from regular Guinness, along with a roasted barley bitterness and rich dark fruit character. This heavy-bodied stout complements savory dishes, as demonstrated by Warpopski.

On the other hand, Guinness Smooth encompasses all the rich character of Guinness stout with an extra smooth finish, providing an experience that’s as much about feel as it is about taste. Its classic bittersweet blend of hops and roasted barley finds harmony when paired with sweet treats, such as the apple pie served by Mili Bakehouse.

One of the festival’s key objectives was to embody the spirit of “Brighter Together.” Bayu Hanandhika, Marketing Manager of Guinness Indonesia, emphasized the importance of this spirit, describing it as an invitation to start, explore, and find new meanings in togetherness.

He stated, “There are countless ideas around us, but sometimes doubt holds us back from taking that first step. We can address this doubt by collaborating and bringing these ideas together. Just by coming together, like when friends hang out, we can create exciting works, inspire and be inspired by each other.”