Guinness Special Export Stout / Antwerpen Stout | Guinness Ltd.
Brewed by:
Guinness Ltd.
Ireland
guinness.com
Style: Foreign / Export Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
This 8% abv stout has long been a secret pleasure among beer connoisseurs and indeed our Brewers, who value the mouth watering intensity of its roasted malt, smoked wood and dark chocolate notes, not to mention it's excellent and seemingly endless finish. Since 1944 we have been exclusively exporting this same special stout from Ireland into Belgium through the vibrant port of Antwerp. This is the first time we're making it available for general release in America.
Added by TheLongBeachBum on 06-28-2003
Ratings: 440 | Reviews: 221
4.37/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L - black, tan head
S & T - caffe latte. Milk coffee. Slight hints of milk chocolate. But it's definitely creamy and milky.
F - nice and creamy and just absolutely smooooth af
O - very nice exemplar of what to me has become the quasi-stout-archetype that I contrast all other stouts to. It has a lovely creaminess, it's more of a caffe latte than an espresso, it doesn't have much smokiness. Almost gentler than your stereotypical porter (which I personally prefer more), but very, very nice regardless.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L - black, tan head
S & T - caffe latte. Milk coffee. Slight hints of milk chocolate. But it's definitely creamy and milky.
F - nice and creamy and just absolutely smooooth af
O - very nice exemplar of what to me has become the quasi-stout-archetype that I contrast all other stouts to. It has a lovely creaminess, it's more of a caffe latte than an espresso, it doesn't have much smokiness. Almost gentler than your stereotypical porter (which I personally prefer more), but very, very nice regardless.
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5/5 rDev +20.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Poured into my clear beer stein. Very opaque dark color with a brown creamy thick head on top.
The aromas of malt and milk chocolate mask the nose. Very complex flavor of different sorts of chocolate and other sorts of subtle sweetness like ice cream and vanilla, and overall feels very creamy.
Outstanding!
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Poured into my clear beer stein. Very opaque dark color with a brown creamy thick head on top.
The aromas of malt and milk chocolate mask the nose. Very complex flavor of different sorts of chocolate and other sorts of subtle sweetness like ice cream and vanilla, and overall feels very creamy.
Outstanding!
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4.12/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a black color with a very small head. Smells of roasted malts and chocolate. Tastes of bittersweet chocolate, coffee, and strong roasted malts. Medium mouthfeel with LGBT carbonation. Overall this is an absolutely delicious stout, probably my favorite by Guinness.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a black color with a very small head. Smells of roasted malts and chocolate. Tastes of bittersweet chocolate, coffee, and strong roasted malts. Medium mouthfeel with LGBT carbonation. Overall this is an absolutely delicious stout, probably my favorite by Guinness.
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4.25/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.66/5 rDev -12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
11.2oz bottle purchased somewhere in the greater Spokane area, most likely either Huckleberry's or one of the Total Wines. Can't remember what I paid for it. No obvious freshness date, just some sort of code on the rear label: L619OGF0003.
Poured into an Iron Goat snifter, this was lovely to look at. So dark brown as to be virtually black, with a big, creamy tan head that took it's time dropping and left lots of lace on the sides of the glass.
Initially the nose was of toasted dark malts, like one would expect from an Irish dry stout. As it warmed, an odd, sugary sweet aroma took over, eventually dominating the aroma entirely.
The flavor was an odd mix of traditional, dry stout flavors such as dark roasted, restrained coffeeish bitterness and a strange, somewhat off putting burnt sugary thing that reminded me of burnt marshmallows and candy. These did not meld together all that well. There's also a little bit of alcoholic heat. Finish is bitter, dry and slightly reminiscent of elderly noughat.
Creamy, light mouthfeel that hides the fact that it's an 8% stout quite well.
Many years ago I really would have loved a chance to try the Belgian Guinness. Haven't been a Guinness fanboy for a long time now, and this isn't doing much to bring me back. It's an overly sweet booze bomb that tastes like artificial sweet flavors were added with a heavy hand. It's not awful, but it's definitely not my thing.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
11.2oz bottle purchased somewhere in the greater Spokane area, most likely either Huckleberry's or one of the Total Wines. Can't remember what I paid for it. No obvious freshness date, just some sort of code on the rear label: L619OGF0003.
Poured into an Iron Goat snifter, this was lovely to look at. So dark brown as to be virtually black, with a big, creamy tan head that took it's time dropping and left lots of lace on the sides of the glass.
Initially the nose was of toasted dark malts, like one would expect from an Irish dry stout. As it warmed, an odd, sugary sweet aroma took over, eventually dominating the aroma entirely.
The flavor was an odd mix of traditional, dry stout flavors such as dark roasted, restrained coffeeish bitterness and a strange, somewhat off putting burnt sugary thing that reminded me of burnt marshmallows and candy. These did not meld together all that well. There's also a little bit of alcoholic heat. Finish is bitter, dry and slightly reminiscent of elderly noughat.
Creamy, light mouthfeel that hides the fact that it's an 8% stout quite well.
Many years ago I really would have loved a chance to try the Belgian Guinness. Haven't been a Guinness fanboy for a long time now, and this isn't doing much to bring me back. It's an overly sweet booze bomb that tastes like artificial sweet flavors were added with a heavy hand. It's not awful, but it's definitely not my thing.
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4.43/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured into an oversized wine glass, it appears pitch black. Holding up to the light, however, reveals its true very dark ruby hue at the edges of the three finger head. Rich dark malts on the nose, with hints of milk chocolate and dark fruits.
Complex flavour, with rich, mildly-bitter roasted malts and a slightly milky, brown sugar sweetness. Overripe plum and fig with hints of milk chocolate and traces of coffee.
Overall, a fantastic stout. I can't quite believe that this is now available for £2 per (330ml) bottle in my local supermarket!
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured into an oversized wine glass, it appears pitch black. Holding up to the light, however, reveals its true very dark ruby hue at the edges of the three finger head. Rich dark malts on the nose, with hints of milk chocolate and dark fruits.
Complex flavour, with rich, mildly-bitter roasted malts and a slightly milky, brown sugar sweetness. Overripe plum and fig with hints of milk chocolate and traces of coffee.
Overall, a fantastic stout. I can't quite believe that this is now available for £2 per (330ml) bottle in my local supermarket!
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3.75/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.4/5 rDev -18.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Served at cellar temperature from 330ml bottle into tulip glass.
L) Opaque very dark brown with reddish tint. Head is tan, thin. Little carbonation evident.
S) Nowhere near what you may expect from an 8% stout. This hasn't been cooled too much either. The main impression is the 'tannic' odour as from a red wine. Does not smell like beer and nothing like a stout.
T) Slight acidic aspect, as per a 'milk stout'. Hint of burnt malt, but not much. Mid-vanilla fudge sweetness comes in after the main drink. Very little bitterness from hops or roasted malt. Balanced for sure, but doesn't try to excel in any one department.
F) The best aspect of the beer; has a nice squidgy liquid marshmallow texture. Slight carbonation. No bitter aftertaste, which you cold take as a plus or minus.
O) I'm disappointed with it, but you have to look at it from Guinness' point of view - produce an 'imperial' stout that will appeal to a mass market. It is a nice easy drink, but doesn't commit to doing anything especially well in any one department.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Served at cellar temperature from 330ml bottle into tulip glass.
L) Opaque very dark brown with reddish tint. Head is tan, thin. Little carbonation evident.
S) Nowhere near what you may expect from an 8% stout. This hasn't been cooled too much either. The main impression is the 'tannic' odour as from a red wine. Does not smell like beer and nothing like a stout.
T) Slight acidic aspect, as per a 'milk stout'. Hint of burnt malt, but not much. Mid-vanilla fudge sweetness comes in after the main drink. Very little bitterness from hops or roasted malt. Balanced for sure, but doesn't try to excel in any one department.
F) The best aspect of the beer; has a nice squidgy liquid marshmallow texture. Slight carbonation. No bitter aftertaste, which you cold take as a plus or minus.
O) I'm disappointed with it, but you have to look at it from Guinness' point of view - produce an 'imperial' stout that will appeal to a mass market. It is a nice easy drink, but doesn't commit to doing anything especially well in any one department.
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4.49/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Very dark brown-black with a huge tan head that really sticks around and clings to the glass. Lots of roasted malt, chocolate, malted candy like whoppers, and a little smokey. All of these notes in the flavor and so smooth. No hint of the alcohol, whatsoever. Average carbonation, medium body, and a little slick up front. Not overly dry on the finish, either. Just right. Very nice brew, here.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Very dark brown-black with a huge tan head that really sticks around and clings to the glass. Lots of roasted malt, chocolate, malted candy like whoppers, and a little smokey. All of these notes in the flavor and so smooth. No hint of the alcohol, whatsoever. Average carbonation, medium body, and a little slick up front. Not overly dry on the finish, either. Just right. Very nice brew, here.
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4.14/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A: Pours an opaque jet black in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation and moderate amounts of cola brown colored highlights. The beer has a three finger tall dense foamy creamy tan head that slowly reduces to a large patch of thick film covering the entire surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of roasted malts with just shy of moderate aromas of dark fruits (plum + fig), chocolate, and molasses sweetness.
T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of roasted, chocolate, caramel, and bready malts with a light to moderate amount of dark fruit (plum + fig) + caramel sweetness. That is followed by light to moderate flavors of chocolate + molasses as well as some light to moderate amounts of earthy hop flavors. Light to moderate amounts of roasty bitterness in the finish which slowly fades away.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and creamy.
O: Glad I finally got the chance to have this beer since I started reviewing on BeerAdvocate - I had it years ago while traveling for business and have wanted the chance to try if again. Very enjoyable and easy to drink. Worth the wait. Alcohol is well hidden.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A: Pours an opaque jet black in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation and moderate amounts of cola brown colored highlights. The beer has a three finger tall dense foamy creamy tan head that slowly reduces to a large patch of thick film covering the entire surface of the beer and a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Moderate aromas of roasted malts with just shy of moderate aromas of dark fruits (plum + fig), chocolate, and molasses sweetness.
T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of roasted, chocolate, caramel, and bready malts with a light to moderate amount of dark fruit (plum + fig) + caramel sweetness. That is followed by light to moderate flavors of chocolate + molasses as well as some light to moderate amounts of earthy hop flavors. Light to moderate amounts of roasty bitterness in the finish which slowly fades away.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and creamy.
O: Glad I finally got the chance to have this beer since I started reviewing on BeerAdvocate - I had it years ago while traveling for business and have wanted the chance to try if again. Very enjoyable and easy to drink. Worth the wait. Alcohol is well hidden.
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3.73/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
4.21/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.92/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours black, great finger sized head that lasts.
Aroma of Sweet vanilla, mocha, leather, biltong.
Similar in taste with the standard thin body from Guinness. Some bitterness, bit of that lactic tang too, tad puckering on the finish. Drying too, not too much.
Remains their best beer, an excellent example of a stout. It's a bit thin for me, but that's one of the features of the current generation of Guinness stouts.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours black, great finger sized head that lasts.
Aroma of Sweet vanilla, mocha, leather, biltong.
Similar in taste with the standard thin body from Guinness. Some bitterness, bit of that lactic tang too, tad puckering on the finish. Drying too, not too much.
Remains their best beer, an excellent example of a stout. It's a bit thin for me, but that's one of the features of the current generation of Guinness stouts.
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3.85/5 rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
The aroma is half fully expected, half unique. The smoky, fruity, roasty notes I expect from a foreign stout are there; this version in particular amplifies some of the lighter fruits (think apple, peach, and even orange) and adds a distinct bread quality. This definitely has Belgian yeast, I can smell it a mile away. The flavor profile (mostly) follows suit. An intense start of yeasty bread, black pepper, and apples turn into dark fruits around the middle. It finishes like a proper Guinness should: with plenty of smoke, roasted malt, and espresso flavors. Its lack of careful balance keeps the flavor from being a 4 (the yeast profile being the culprit), but I'm still impressed by the depth and nuance offered. It feels creamy and soft yet it's dry enough to keep it clean, with a long finish. This also feels a bit bulkier around the middle of the palate compared to the front and back (where it's thinner). Carbonation is fine. I'd personally put this a slight notch below my favorite Guinness - the FES - but it's still a very good stout that many craft brewers would be proud to have in their collection.
3.85/5: A tasty and fun yet archetypal Belgian-style stout
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
The aroma is half fully expected, half unique. The smoky, fruity, roasty notes I expect from a foreign stout are there; this version in particular amplifies some of the lighter fruits (think apple, peach, and even orange) and adds a distinct bread quality. This definitely has Belgian yeast, I can smell it a mile away. The flavor profile (mostly) follows suit. An intense start of yeasty bread, black pepper, and apples turn into dark fruits around the middle. It finishes like a proper Guinness should: with plenty of smoke, roasted malt, and espresso flavors. Its lack of careful balance keeps the flavor from being a 4 (the yeast profile being the culprit), but I'm still impressed by the depth and nuance offered. It feels creamy and soft yet it's dry enough to keep it clean, with a long finish. This also feels a bit bulkier around the middle of the palate compared to the front and back (where it's thinner). Carbonation is fine. I'd personally put this a slight notch below my favorite Guinness - the FES - but it's still a very good stout that many craft brewers would be proud to have in their collection.
3.85/5: A tasty and fun yet archetypal Belgian-style stout
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3.83/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.88/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.63/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
3.77/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Bottle. Black. Tan head which subsides to thin wispy layer.
Sweet roasted malt aroma. Smoke present. Chocolate also there.
Standard Guinness Stout flavour with added booze. Somewhat sweeter and less bitter.
Smooth carbonation and soft feel.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Bottle. Black. Tan head which subsides to thin wispy layer.
Sweet roasted malt aroma. Smoke present. Chocolate also there.
Standard Guinness Stout flavour with added booze. Somewhat sweeter and less bitter.
Smooth carbonation and soft feel.
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4.07/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a dark cola brown color with a 2-finger khaki head. The head has great retention, leaving a fair amount of lacing.
The aroma brings notes of roasted malts, marshmallows, caramel, and molasses. Lightly smokey, with the faintest hint of chocolate on the back end.
The taste follows the nose. Lots of caramel and roasted malts, with plenty of chocolate and smokiness in the finish.
The feel is full bodied with a ton of carbonation. Very smooth and creamy, with plenty of prickly carbonation that tingles the palate.
Overall, a very good stout that brings a ton of flavor and a great mouthfeel. It's not overly complex but what it does do is done very well.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Pours a dark cola brown color with a 2-finger khaki head. The head has great retention, leaving a fair amount of lacing.
The aroma brings notes of roasted malts, marshmallows, caramel, and molasses. Lightly smokey, with the faintest hint of chocolate on the back end.
The taste follows the nose. Lots of caramel and roasted malts, with plenty of chocolate and smokiness in the finish.
The feel is full bodied with a ton of carbonation. Very smooth and creamy, with plenty of prickly carbonation that tingles the palate.
Overall, a very good stout that brings a ton of flavor and a great mouthfeel. It's not overly complex but what it does do is done very well.
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Guinness Special Export Stout / Antwerpen Stout from Guinness Ltd.
4.16
out of 5
based on 440 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Black colour as you would expect with a thin fluffy tan coloured head.
Super beer, chocolate, vanilla with some burnt malt at the back end.
Excellent example of this style, perhaps the best.
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