Guinness in Westford, MA: what we carry

CBC Liquors at 142 Littleton Rd in Westford carries Guinness, including the classic Guinness stout and Guinness Draught Zero for a non-alcoholic pour. Walk in any day we are open, or order for pickup or delivery from Westford and the nearby towns we serve.

Where can you buy Guinness in Westford?

You can buy Guinness at CBC Liquors, 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. Everything we stock from the brewery is gathered on our Guinness brand page, so you can see the range before you drive over.

The two products most people are looking for are Guinness, the Irish dry stout, and Guinness Draught Zero, the non-alcoholic version of the same pour. Both have their own product pages on our site.

We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Our Google rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 339 reviews, if you want to see what other customers say before you come in.

What kind of beer is Guinness?

Guinness is an Irish dry stout. Stout is a dark beer made with roasted barley, and that roasted grain is what gives Guinness its deep ruby-black colour and its flavours of coffee, dark chocolate and a little toast.

Despite how dark it looks, Guinness is a fairly light-bodied beer. It is not sweet and it is not heavy, and the finish is dry and slightly bitter in the way black coffee is. If you have only ever judged it by its colour, the first sip is often a surprise.

Guinness was first brewed at St. James's Gate in Dublin, and the brewery remains the reference point for the style. If you want to compare it with other stouts and dark beers, our stout and dark beer pages show what else sits in the same part of the store.

What is the difference between Guinness and Guinness Draught Zero?

Guinness is the regular beer, brewed with alcohol, and Guinness Draught Zero is the non-alcoholic version made for people who want the same look and the same creamy pour without the alcohol.

That makes Draught Zero useful in a few everyday situations: the designated driver at a dinner, a guest who does not drink, or an evening when you simply want something dark and satisfying without the alcohol. It pours with the same cascading look as the original and has the same roasted character.

Both are easy to find on our site. You can open Guinness Draught Zero directly and add it to a pickup order alongside the original, so a mixed table is covered in one stop.

Why does Guinness pour in two stages?

The famous two-part pour exists because of how the beer is carbonated. Guinness is dispensed with a mix of nitrogen and carbon dioxide, and nitrogen forms much smaller bubbles than carbon dioxide alone. That is what creates the thick, creamy head and the cascading effect as the beer settles.

The usual method is to tilt a clean glass to about 45 degrees and fill it roughly three-quarters full. Let it settle for a minute or so, then stand the glass upright and top it off so the head sits just above the rim. Many people count to about 120 seconds in total from the first pour to the last.

You do not need a tap to do this at home. Cans and bottles of Guinness made for the draught-style pour contain a small widget that releases nitrogen when you open them, which is what produces the same settling effect. Follow the instructions on the packaging for the best result.

How cold should Guinness be, and what glass should you use?

Guinness is best served cool rather than ice cold. Very cold temperatures dull the roasted flavours, so a fridge that has been set a little warmer than usual, or taking the beer out for five minutes before pouring, tends to give a better result than a freezer-chilled can.

A tulip-shaped or straight-sided pint glass works well. More important than the shape is that the glass is clean. Any residue from dish soap or oils on the rim breaks down the head and leaves the beer flat-looking.

If you are pouring Guinness Draught Zero, the same rules apply. Cool, not freezing, a clean glass, and a patient two-stage pour.

What food goes well with Guinness?

The roasted, dry character of Guinness suits rich and savoury food. Beef stew, shepherd's pie and sausages with mash are the classic matches, because the beer cuts through the richness without adding sweetness.

Oysters are the pairing most associated with stout, and it works: the dry, mineral edge of the beer matches the briny seafood. Sharp aged cheddar and a plate of cured meats also sit comfortably beside it.

For dessert, try it next to something chocolatey or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, where the roasted notes of the beer echo the cocoa. Many cooks also use Guinness in chocolate cake and in braises, where it adds depth rather than sweetness.

What else should you pick up with Guinness?

If you are planning a St. Patrick's gathering or a pub-style night in, a few other things from our shelves fit naturally. Our Irish whiskey section is the obvious companion, and our wider beer selection covers anyone at the table who would rather have something lighter.

For guests who prefer a crisp, easy beer instead of a stout, the lager page is a good place to start. If you are hosting a larger group, our party planner page can help you think through quantities, and if you need a keg, the kegs page explains how to make a request.

We also have a page about beer in Westford that covers more of what we carry.

Can you get Guinness delivered or picked up from CBC Liquors?

Yes. Besides walking in, CBC Liquors does pickup, delivery and shipping. Pickup hours match our store hours: Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Delivery hours run a little shorter: Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Our alcohol delivery page has the detail for Westford.

We also serve nearby towns. If you are in Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton, Carlisle, Lowell, Billerica, Tyngsborough, Boxborough or Dunstable, the town page for your area explains how delivery works there. The full list is on our delivery areas page.