Can You Freeze Guinness?

"Can you freeze Guinness?" This question reminds me of the quip that mountain bikers and skiers often make when someone asks if they can jump off of this or that obstacle: "Sure, I can jump off of anything. Landing is another matter." In this case, the response - beyond "Why would you want to?" - is "Yes, but what happens when you thaw it?"

When we got back from the supermarket the other day, my son helped me put away the groceries. Space cadet that he can sometimes be, he managed to stow the four-pack of Guinness in the freezer. I discovered this awful truth several days later when I went into the basement hunting for one. I let them thaw in an old kitty litter tray, just in case, and was surprised to see that they had not burst. Tonight I opened one. Without tasting it side-by-side with one that had not been frozen - no point in torturing ourselves by mentioning proper draft - I can't say that there was no difference. I can say, though, that the previously frozen Guinness was perfectly drinkable. Who would have thought?