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Guy's Pig & Anchor on Carnival Horizon a smokin' success

(Photo: Anne Kalosh)
Seventh generation Texan Edward Allen - 'Guy's is some of the best barbecue I ever tasted'
As part of Carnival Horizon's New York inaugural festivities on Wednesday celebrity chef Guy Fieri officially opened Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, a first on Carnival Cruise Line.

The venue—in the spot that houses the RedFrog Pub & Brewery on sister ship Carnival Vista—serves barbecue favorites, four new craft beers brewed on board and signature cocktails.

'I'm a seventh generation Texan and this is some of the best barbecue I ever tasted,' Carnival's Edward Allen, VP beverage operations, said at the jam-packed ribbon-cutting.

'If I said it was the best, my father would get really upset,' he added.

Allen, who hails from Houston, said he'd hit 11 of the top 50 Texas barbecue joints and 'this one is up there with them.'

Trash Can Nachos, house-made sausage

Guy's Trash Can Nachos, loaded with pulled pork, bourbon brown sugar sauce, melted cheese and pico de gallo, are a favorite, and Allen also loves the house-made sausage.

Carnival Horizon made its stateside debut after several weeks of Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona.

The reception to Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse has been 'fantastic,' Allen told Seatrade Cruise News. The ship's Mediterranean itinerary was port-intensive, with many passengers on full-day tours of Rome, Florence, Provence and other highlights, yet both lunch and dinner service at Guy's had been a 'home run,' he said. People flocked for the beer after long days sightseeing.

Dinner items are offered on an a la carte basis (Trash Can Nachos are $4, while barbecue ribs start at $8), and there's no charge for a self-service barbecue lunch buffet on embarkation day and sea days.

ParchedPig West Coast IPA the best-seller

Of the new craft beers brewed on board, the ParchedPig West Coast IPA has been the best-seller, while Allen personally favors the ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale and brewmaster Colin Presby loves the ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale.

'The sampler of four is the way to go,' Allen said.

Bacon Manhattan cocktail

When it comes to signature cocktails, the Bacon Manhattan—where the bourbon is infused with bacon fat—must be the most-talked-about. Allen touted a smoked watermelon cocktail and the veggie-infused Bloody Mary.

The Smokehouse | Brewhouse is the latest in the years-long partnership between Carnival and Food Network star Fieri, whose Guy's Burger Joint is hugely popular on the Fun Ship fleet.

Fieri is 'such a great partner and such a good guy,' according to Allen. 'Our guests love him and we love him. He really fits our brand as America's cruise line.'