Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
Guinness Ltd.
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Foreign / Export Stout
Ranked #8 - ABV:
- 7.5%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #3,712 - Avg:
- 4.08 | pDev: 11.52%
- Reviews:
- 924
- Ratings:
- From:
- Guinness Ltd.
- Ireland
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 219
- Gots
- 407
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
Foreign Extra Stout is brewed with generous hops and roasted barley for a bittersweet balance and full-flavored, natural bite. Developed for global export from Ireland, the addition of extra hops ensured this Stout would arrive in perfect condition. Today it is enjoyed by millions around the world.
Reviews: 924
| Ratings: 2,545
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4.06/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance:
Opaque, very dark brown/red, Creamy medium tan head, fair amount of lace and good retention.
Aroma:
Strong, syrupy dark malts, roasted barley, coffee, chocolate and dried plums, dates and figs.
Flavor:
Smoky, fruity and malty. assertive hop bitterness. finishes much like a robust red wine (Malbec, Cab)
Mouthfeel:
Full-bodied and low to medium CO2. Has a tannic-like bite from the roasted grains giving it a strong red wine feel.
Overall:
A classic, well-made strong stout to be savored on cold winter days. A welcome departure from the American-style imperials.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance:
Opaque, very dark brown/red, Creamy medium tan head, fair amount of lace and good retention.
Aroma:
Strong, syrupy dark malts, roasted barley, coffee, chocolate and dried plums, dates and figs.
Flavor:
Smoky, fruity and malty. assertive hop bitterness. finishes much like a robust red wine (Malbec, Cab)
Mouthfeel:
Full-bodied and low to medium CO2. Has a tannic-like bite from the roasted grains giving it a strong red wine feel.
Overall:
A classic, well-made strong stout to be savored on cold winter days. A welcome departure from the American-style imperials.
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4.22/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Pitch black, except for some very slight reddishness towards the top. Good lacing and initial head
S: Rich malts, caramel, coffee, slight butteriness
T: Toasty and roasty malts throughout, black coffee
F: Feels creamy on the palate, alcohol is there but in a pleasant manner, carbonation works well
O: 4.25
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Pitch black, except for some very slight reddishness towards the top. Good lacing and initial head
S: Rich malts, caramel, coffee, slight butteriness
T: Toasty and roasty malts throughout, black coffee
F: Feels creamy on the palate, alcohol is there but in a pleasant manner, carbonation works well
O: 4.25
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4.1/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle picked up at off license near the hotel. Black pour with thick, foamy beige head. Aroma is smoky, ashy with a hint of chocolate. Taste is roasty, campfire, mild sweetness. Mild, sweet bitterness lingers.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle picked up at off license near the hotel. Black pour with thick, foamy beige head. Aroma is smoky, ashy with a hint of chocolate. Taste is roasty, campfire, mild sweetness. Mild, sweet bitterness lingers.
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4.18/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L. This is the blueprint for modern stout I would suggest. Black, darker than expected and less energetic than expected head. S. Always weak with my damn nose but dark, caramel and grain. T. A little subdued, but lots of dark malt, a touch of molasses, some sweetness but a dry finish. F. A touch oily, very smooth and rich. O. A tiny bit disappointed as this is the first time I have ever had this, unbelievably, even after visiting Ireland! But only a bit, great, rich taste and feel and a genuine icon amongst beers. P.S. Tried a few times since original review and most of the disappointment has gone. I sometimes get a touch of sweeter treacle/golden syrup and even a hint of cough syrup given the alcohol.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
L. This is the blueprint for modern stout I would suggest. Black, darker than expected and less energetic than expected head. S. Always weak with my damn nose but dark, caramel and grain. T. A little subdued, but lots of dark malt, a touch of molasses, some sweetness but a dry finish. F. A touch oily, very smooth and rich. O. A tiny bit disappointed as this is the first time I have ever had this, unbelievably, even after visiting Ireland! But only a bit, great, rich taste and feel and a genuine icon amongst beers. P.S. Tried a few times since original review and most of the disappointment has gone. I sometimes get a touch of sweeter treacle/golden syrup and even a hint of cough syrup given the alcohol.
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4.35/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From an 11.2 oz bottle. Black color with caramel tint in the light and light brown head. Rich roasted malt and molasses smell. Medium body. Roasted malt, molasses, and a dry hop finish. This is excellent! If only it were as easy to find as other Guinness...
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From an 11.2 oz bottle. Black color with caramel tint in the light and light brown head. Rich roasted malt and molasses smell. Medium body. Roasted malt, molasses, and a dry hop finish. This is excellent! If only it were as easy to find as other Guinness...
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4.62/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a 11.2 fl oz bottle into my old reliable tulip glass (sniffer).
Pour here is very dark brown (like a fresh pot of coffee)with just a bit of ruby - Thicker than water, but unlike Guinness' Extra Stout: The F.E.S. does indeed pour like blood! strong, concentrated head that stays with the stout up until the moment it's consumed. Nose is definitely coffee, chocolate, but not as overtly. Not much fruit detected, if any: Perhaps a nectarine (?) or red grape (?) and a little vanilla. Mouth/fFeel roasted malt, coffee and chocolate. However: I notice that the chocolate is not an equal partner in the FES as it is in the Extra Stout. It's more of an enhancer for the coffee. The finish is subtle sweet and bitter, but overall dry and refined. Also makes great beer-batter fish! Overall: Guinness' best stout.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a 11.2 fl oz bottle into my old reliable tulip glass (sniffer).
Pour here is very dark brown (like a fresh pot of coffee)with just a bit of ruby - Thicker than water, but unlike Guinness' Extra Stout: The F.E.S. does indeed pour like blood! strong, concentrated head that stays with the stout up until the moment it's consumed. Nose is definitely coffee, chocolate, but not as overtly. Not much fruit detected, if any: Perhaps a nectarine (?) or red grape (?) and a little vanilla. Mouth/fFeel roasted malt, coffee and chocolate. However: I notice that the chocolate is not an equal partner in the FES as it is in the Extra Stout. It's more of an enhancer for the coffee. The finish is subtle sweet and bitter, but overall dry and refined. Also makes great beer-batter fish! Overall: Guinness' best stout.
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3.96/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L- Black... held right in front of a halogen bulb I don't even get the super-dark ruby red glint I often see in other 'black' stouts and porters. Pours with fat 1.5Cm super-fine pillowy tan head that is holding well. [Holds well right down to the bottom, with lacing on the sides of the glass].
S- Deep toasty molasses.
T- Deep roasty-toasty grains and coffee. Entirely different from the insipid over-gassed version one finds on tap in London pubs. This is enjoyable, it has notable depth and some oomph to it.
F- Rich (hefty ABV%, rather than 'sweet'), deep, dark, quite pungent and intense.
O- I've not a fan of mass-market esp draught/tap stout; this beer is entirely different! I'd very happily drink this again, though hopefully at a lower price.
Bought from a convenience shop, 'Medo Market', 30 Leinster Terrace, London W2 (between Lancaster Gate and Queensway). An unusual find for me, but at an unusually hiked price of £2.50/330ml, but then all bottles of beer there were priced at that there. BB: 22/03/2020
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L- Black... held right in front of a halogen bulb I don't even get the super-dark ruby red glint I often see in other 'black' stouts and porters. Pours with fat 1.5Cm super-fine pillowy tan head that is holding well. [Holds well right down to the bottom, with lacing on the sides of the glass].
S- Deep toasty molasses.
T- Deep roasty-toasty grains and coffee. Entirely different from the insipid over-gassed version one finds on tap in London pubs. This is enjoyable, it has notable depth and some oomph to it.
F- Rich (hefty ABV%, rather than 'sweet'), deep, dark, quite pungent and intense.
O- I've not a fan of mass-market esp draught/tap stout; this beer is entirely different! I'd very happily drink this again, though hopefully at a lower price.
Bought from a convenience shop, 'Medo Market', 30 Leinster Terrace, London W2 (between Lancaster Gate and Queensway). An unusual find for me, but at an unusually hiked price of £2.50/330ml, but then all bottles of beer there were priced at that there. BB: 22/03/2020
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2.97/5 rDev -27.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.75
Look: Pitch black and smooth. One finger of fizzy tan head with good retention.
Smell: Not as strong as I'd expect or like. Very faint roast malt scent.
Taste: Like the smell, surprisingly mild. Hard to notice anything except a gentle roast bitterness without the usual flavor that comes with it.
Mouthfeel: Full body with good carbonation.
Overall: I was expecting good things, but it's just far too mild.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.75
Look: Pitch black and smooth. One finger of fizzy tan head with good retention.
Smell: Not as strong as I'd expect or like. Very faint roast malt scent.
Taste: Like the smell, surprisingly mild. Hard to notice anything except a gentle roast bitterness without the usual flavor that comes with it.
Mouthfeel: Full body with good carbonation.
Overall: I was expecting good things, but it's just far too mild.
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4.43/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Opaque black glass shows a ruby hue when seriously backlit. Holds a cover of tight brown bubbles which give thick lacing to the glass.
Aroma: Burnt barley, the Guinness sour note, black bread, some malty sweetness.
Taste: Starts with a slightly coffee bitter which quickly is overwhelmed with a lot of malt driven sweetness that transitions to the soured beer taste that fades out into an earthy, almost metallic bitter. It's a roller coaster of tastes, all with strong intensity, but all of it works together for a coherent whole. It's a malty beer with a lot of burnt grain Stout flavor with a little mellow funk.
Mouthfeel: Medium heavy body, low carbonation (little report at opening), dry finish.
Overall: It's a beast of a beer. Big bold flavors, most of them built up versions of what you get in Guinness draft, but the balance is very different. Draft is a drink, this is a meal. I like it, but understand that not everyone will. I remember trying it early in my craft beer journey and thinking, it's too much, too challenging. Now days I find it much more drinkable and enjoyable, but a slow sipper. I also find it... nutritive. Something about it seems like it just might be good for me in some way. It's an impressive amount of taste for a 7.5% abv beer.
I also think age plays a big part in this beer. I little digging finds that the date code on the back can be read, ignore the "L", the first 4 numbers start with the year (8 would be 2018), then the next 3 numbers on the day of that year (294 = Oct. 21st). It has a 10 month shelf life, it's June 2019 so I'm in range. It's worth checking.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Opaque black glass shows a ruby hue when seriously backlit. Holds a cover of tight brown bubbles which give thick lacing to the glass.
Aroma: Burnt barley, the Guinness sour note, black bread, some malty sweetness.
Taste: Starts with a slightly coffee bitter which quickly is overwhelmed with a lot of malt driven sweetness that transitions to the soured beer taste that fades out into an earthy, almost metallic bitter. It's a roller coaster of tastes, all with strong intensity, but all of it works together for a coherent whole. It's a malty beer with a lot of burnt grain Stout flavor with a little mellow funk.
Mouthfeel: Medium heavy body, low carbonation (little report at opening), dry finish.
Overall: It's a beast of a beer. Big bold flavors, most of them built up versions of what you get in Guinness draft, but the balance is very different. Draft is a drink, this is a meal. I like it, but understand that not everyone will. I remember trying it early in my craft beer journey and thinking, it's too much, too challenging. Now days I find it much more drinkable and enjoyable, but a slow sipper. I also find it... nutritive. Something about it seems like it just might be good for me in some way. It's an impressive amount of taste for a 7.5% abv beer.
I also think age plays a big part in this beer. I little digging finds that the date code on the back can be read, ignore the "L", the first 4 numbers start with the year (8 would be 2018), then the next 3 numbers on the day of that year (294 = Oct. 21st). It has a 10 month shelf life, it's June 2019 so I'm in range. It's worth checking.
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4.19/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
1 pint 6 oz bottle from Fred Meyer, N.Salem. $4.59
Very black body as far as i can tell with a nice frothy thick tan head..creamy in consistency.
Wonderful roasty,toasted malt aromas..dark coffee, figs, chocolate..nice
LOvelly dark toasty malt taste..semi bitter coffee..and creamy chocolate.Dark fruit after taste.
Fantastic mouthfeel..cannot fault it..very slick yet not boring.
Overall a very nice stout indeed..will buy more.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
1 pint 6 oz bottle from Fred Meyer, N.Salem. $4.59
Very black body as far as i can tell with a nice frothy thick tan head..creamy in consistency.
Wonderful roasty,toasted malt aromas..dark coffee, figs, chocolate..nice
LOvelly dark toasty malt taste..semi bitter coffee..and creamy chocolate.Dark fruit after taste.
Fantastic mouthfeel..cannot fault it..very slick yet not boring.
Overall a very nice stout indeed..will buy more.
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2.46/5 rDev -39.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
it's a watery tasting beer. I read other reviewers about how deep and rich intense this is but it's not true.
If you like imperial stouts or bourbon aged dark beers this will taste bland and watery by comparison.
I recommend Founders - Breakfast Stout or Allagash - Black
Both cost the same at about $10 a 4-pack. Save your money and get real beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
it's a watery tasting beer. I read other reviewers about how deep and rich intense this is but it's not true.
If you like imperial stouts or bourbon aged dark beers this will taste bland and watery by comparison.
I recommend Founders - Breakfast Stout or Allagash - Black
Both cost the same at about $10 a 4-pack. Save your money and get real beer.
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4.03/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours a dark, very dark brown. Good looking tan head. Decent lacing. Aroma of a dark coffee/chocolate blend , barley/oat malt with the alcohol bringing it along. Mouthfeel is more effervescent than carbonated, comes on late.
Taste is “fuller/richer” than your regular Guinness. Although I prefer Old Rasputin over this. That being said, a good stout, I would get this again.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours a dark, very dark brown. Good looking tan head. Decent lacing. Aroma of a dark coffee/chocolate blend , barley/oat malt with the alcohol bringing it along. Mouthfeel is more effervescent than carbonated, comes on late.
Taste is “fuller/richer” than your regular Guinness. Although I prefer Old Rasputin over this. That being said, a good stout, I would get this again.
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3.67/5 rDev -10%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Unknown vintage; drank 5/4/17 @ the Yarchives.
Brown/black appearance.
A rough pour yielded a nice tan head; nice lace.
Raw oats, mild chocolate & faint vanilla notes in the nose.
Medium thick mouthfeel.
Milk chocolate, raw oats & faint vanilla flavors.
Richer & better than 'regular' Guinness, but hardly revelatory.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Unknown vintage; drank 5/4/17 @ the Yarchives.
Brown/black appearance.
A rough pour yielded a nice tan head; nice lace.
Raw oats, mild chocolate & faint vanilla notes in the nose.
Medium thick mouthfeel.
Milk chocolate, raw oats & faint vanilla flavors.
Richer & better than 'regular' Guinness, but hardly revelatory.
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4.37/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Black body. Vibrant. One and a half finger off white head. Patchy, sticky lace. Broken ring. Bubbly, wispy cap.
The aroma is roasted malts. Bitter coffee. Caramel. Dark fruit.
The taste is roasted malts, bitter coffee balanced out with a caramel and dark stone fruit sweetness. Balanced, subtle.
Medium heavy body. Medium carbonation. Smooth body. Dry, bitter finish.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Black body. Vibrant. One and a half finger off white head. Patchy, sticky lace. Broken ring. Bubbly, wispy cap.
The aroma is roasted malts. Bitter coffee. Caramel. Dark fruit.
The taste is roasted malts, bitter coffee balanced out with a caramel and dark stone fruit sweetness. Balanced, subtle.
Medium heavy body. Medium carbonation. Smooth body. Dry, bitter finish.
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4.62/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Appearance: Inky black with the smallest amount of brown visible on the bottom of the glass. One finger of khaki colored head; good retention and a few rings of lacing.
Aroma: Burnt coffee, butter, grass, molasses and vegemite.
Taste: Mellow at first with some sweet bready malt. Hops push their way through with a nice amount of bitterness and lend some earthy/grassy notes. Roasted malt ramps up towards the end as do some tangy and rich dark fruit flavors and a bit of iron. Loads of charred grain, coffee and oily hop bitterness on the finish.
Feel: Almost full bodied, slight chew, creamy, dry. Very nice.
Overall: By far the most complex and brash Guinness I've had. Love the stuff.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Appearance: Inky black with the smallest amount of brown visible on the bottom of the glass. One finger of khaki colored head; good retention and a few rings of lacing.
Aroma: Burnt coffee, butter, grass, molasses and vegemite.
Taste: Mellow at first with some sweet bready malt. Hops push their way through with a nice amount of bitterness and lend some earthy/grassy notes. Roasted malt ramps up towards the end as do some tangy and rich dark fruit flavors and a bit of iron. Loads of charred grain, coffee and oily hop bitterness on the finish.
Feel: Almost full bodied, slight chew, creamy, dry. Very nice.
Overall: By far the most complex and brash Guinness I've had. Love the stuff.
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4.11/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Had an Irish beer dinner at BJ's Brewhouse, Hurst. 3/4/19 Too much food and wasting time eating it to write reviews so I just did ratings with the Cheat Sheet they give you for the menu pairings. Seven beers and 5 courses doesn't allow adequate time.
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look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Had an Irish beer dinner at BJ's Brewhouse, Hurst. 3/4/19 Too much food and wasting time eating it to write reviews so I just did ratings with the Cheat Sheet they give you for the menu pairings. Seven beers and 5 courses doesn't allow adequate time.
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4.05/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours deep black - big, thick, creamy head, great retention, and a good amount of lacing.
Aroma is primarily of dark fruits - raisins, prunes, and dark berries complemented with a bit of toasty malts and a very little earthiness. Really like this flavorful aroma.
Taste is of a solid stout, completely roasted malts, the darkest chocolate, and some very dark roasted coffee notes. A bit divergent from the aroma.
Feel is light, smooth and creamy but lacking the body you'd expect from the ABV, lower carbonation and solid bitterness.
Overall, a nice, unique stout that might be a standout for Guiness with a thicker, more substantial feel.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours deep black - big, thick, creamy head, great retention, and a good amount of lacing.
Aroma is primarily of dark fruits - raisins, prunes, and dark berries complemented with a bit of toasty malts and a very little earthiness. Really like this flavorful aroma.
Taste is of a solid stout, completely roasted malts, the darkest chocolate, and some very dark roasted coffee notes. A bit divergent from the aroma.
Feel is light, smooth and creamy but lacking the body you'd expect from the ABV, lower carbonation and solid bitterness.
Overall, a nice, unique stout that might be a standout for Guiness with a thicker, more substantial feel.
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3.99/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the bottle into a clear pint glass. Very dark (duh). Tan head that settles into an almost meringue consistency. Smells of chocolate with a slight licorice and prune aroma. Tastes is surprisingly sweet with coffee and chocolate upfront followed by some licorice and dried fruit. Some toffee as well. There is a noticeable hop hit on the finish that is a big difference from regular Guinness. Medium carbonation that I personally like. I’m not a regular stout drinker but I enjoy one now and then for a change of pace. This is really good, I’ll have to try it more often. Cheers
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the bottle into a clear pint glass. Very dark (duh). Tan head that settles into an almost meringue consistency. Smells of chocolate with a slight licorice and prune aroma. Tastes is surprisingly sweet with coffee and chocolate upfront followed by some licorice and dried fruit. Some toffee as well. There is a noticeable hop hit on the finish that is a big difference from regular Guinness. Medium carbonation that I personally like. I’m not a regular stout drinker but I enjoy one now and then for a change of pace. This is really good, I’ll have to try it more often. Cheers
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3.44/5 rDev -15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
L- Great! The head lasted for days!
S- Good but honestly not the best. Smells a little sour to me. Bad batch? Also a little metallic. Maybe this was sitting on the shelf too long.
T- Good about what I'd expect for the style. Nothing to write home about.
O- Pretty good, favorite thing by Guinness so far. Nothing amazing though.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
L- Great! The head lasted for days!
S- Good but honestly not the best. Smells a little sour to me. Bad batch? Also a little metallic. Maybe this was sitting on the shelf too long.
T- Good about what I'd expect for the style. Nothing to write home about.
O- Pretty good, favorite thing by Guinness so far. Nothing amazing though.
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4.09/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Another Guinness product, another outstanding rating. Maybe i'm biased towards Guinness. But it's only because they make great beers. I have drank several and loved each one. This is no different.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Another Guinness product, another outstanding rating. Maybe i'm biased towards Guinness. But it's only because they make great beers. I have drank several and loved each one. This is no different.
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3.96/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Lovely rocky tan head atop a deep brown/black body. Smell on the milder side, not really this brew's strong suit. I fail to detect much of anything interesting so I'll save spewing pompous adjectives on this one. The taste is all there however. Burnt roastiness and coffee followed by that classic Irish yeast flavor, with just a hint of milk chocolate sweetness. A lingering hop bitterness. The feel is silky, lighter than it looks, but not watery by any means. Really solid stout!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Lovely rocky tan head atop a deep brown/black body. Smell on the milder side, not really this brew's strong suit. I fail to detect much of anything interesting so I'll save spewing pompous adjectives on this one. The taste is all there however. Burnt roastiness and coffee followed by that classic Irish yeast flavor, with just a hint of milk chocolate sweetness. A lingering hop bitterness. The feel is silky, lighter than it looks, but not watery by any means. Really solid stout!
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4.11/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A - Dark black-brown body, opaque, with a huge persistent tan head, with tight bubbles that breaks slowly in a rocky pattern, and a carpet of lacing. Very much what I expect from a stout.
S - Quiet malt, mostly in the form of toasted wheat bread and molasses, a bit of sourness.
T - The nose comes in with the bread element, chocolate and moderate bitterness, and a finish of bright coffee acidity.
M - Brisk carbonation, a nice coating feel, and a dry finish that scrubs for the next swallow.
O - A very solid rendition of a traditional stout. Powerful and tasty, a better, more developed version of the Guinness I drank in Scotland so many years ago.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A - Dark black-brown body, opaque, with a huge persistent tan head, with tight bubbles that breaks slowly in a rocky pattern, and a carpet of lacing. Very much what I expect from a stout.
S - Quiet malt, mostly in the form of toasted wheat bread and molasses, a bit of sourness.
T - The nose comes in with the bread element, chocolate and moderate bitterness, and a finish of bright coffee acidity.
M - Brisk carbonation, a nice coating feel, and a dry finish that scrubs for the next swallow.
O - A very solid rendition of a traditional stout. Powerful and tasty, a better, more developed version of the Guinness I drank in Scotland so many years ago.
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4.3/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
bottled 7/25/18
Look- pours dark brown and appears almost black in the glass; nice creamy tan head that recedes to about 1/2 finger and sticks around; tons of spotty lacing
Smell- lightly burnt roasted coffee, a slightly smokey/woody and earthy smell; some some black licorice
Taste- Predominantly burnt roasted coffee along with fairly intense bitterness. There's also slightly sweet chocolate and a light smokey taste that balance the bitterness out
feel- medium-full bodied, lush and creamy; semi-dry finish with strong and lingering bitterness
Overall- really nice stout with complex nose and flavor, and quite a bit of bitterness
639 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
bottled 7/25/18
Look- pours dark brown and appears almost black in the glass; nice creamy tan head that recedes to about 1/2 finger and sticks around; tons of spotty lacing
Smell- lightly burnt roasted coffee, a slightly smokey/woody and earthy smell; some some black licorice
Taste- Predominantly burnt roasted coffee along with fairly intense bitterness. There's also slightly sweet chocolate and a light smokey taste that balance the bitterness out
feel- medium-full bodied, lush and creamy; semi-dry finish with strong and lingering bitterness
Overall- really nice stout with complex nose and flavor, and quite a bit of bitterness
639 characters
4.48/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Almost pitch black in color with some cola brown highlights. Topped by a creamy tan head with excellent retention and tons of lacing.
Smells like molasses, star anise, brown sugar, burn sugar, toffee, butterscotch, and dark chocolate.
Tastes like burnt toast, toffee, molasses, black licorice, black coffee, butterscotch, and bitter chocolate. Incredibly roasted, burnt, and bitter, highlighted by sweet buttery notes.
The mouthfeel is medium, creamy, well carbonated, smooth, well rounded, and dry.
This is one incredible old-school stout. This is Guinness on steroids. So delicious!
588 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Almost pitch black in color with some cola brown highlights. Topped by a creamy tan head with excellent retention and tons of lacing.
Smells like molasses, star anise, brown sugar, burn sugar, toffee, butterscotch, and dark chocolate.
Tastes like burnt toast, toffee, molasses, black licorice, black coffee, butterscotch, and bitter chocolate. Incredibly roasted, burnt, and bitter, highlighted by sweet buttery notes.
The mouthfeel is medium, creamy, well carbonated, smooth, well rounded, and dry.
This is one incredible old-school stout. This is Guinness on steroids. So delicious!
588 characters
4.53/5 rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Fantastic classic export stout. Sweetness upfront and balanced with a tad of dryness left on the tongue. Delicate alcohol esters on the nose with bready caramalized dark fruits and a hint of chocolate. Think gooey cocoa bread with dates. Nothing agressive about this one which makes it one of the stronger stouts that is indeed sessionable. Too many American craft brews today that go over board on the aggressive flavors and roasted coffee notes. I don’t want to cellar it for 3 years before I drink it. Anywho this is one stout worthy of a steady rotation.
560 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Fantastic classic export stout. Sweetness upfront and balanced with a tad of dryness left on the tongue. Delicate alcohol esters on the nose with bready caramalized dark fruits and a hint of chocolate. Think gooey cocoa bread with dates. Nothing agressive about this one which makes it one of the stronger stouts that is indeed sessionable. Too many American craft brews today that go over board on the aggressive flavors and roasted coffee notes. I don’t want to cellar it for 3 years before I drink it. Anywho this is one stout worthy of a steady rotation.
560 characters
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout from Guinness Ltd.
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
2545 ratings
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