Stout drinkability questions

Probably because Guinness has about the same alcohol as Coors Light and most American stouts are 2, 3 or even 4 times that?

 

Usually just the ABV. Takes more malt to get a higher ABV and there may be more hops as well, but hops provide bitter and other flavors but don't the produce burn of alcohol.

 

Guiness is an Irish dry stout which is a style characterized by lighter body and high drinkability. It's also frequently served NITROGENated rather than CARBONated. Numerous American craft breweries make dry stouts and many serve them "on nitro". Look for one of those and I think you'll find your drinking experience is similar to what you described with the Guiness.

 

I was kinda thinking along the same lines...It's like drinking irish cream water when you have a Guinness.When you have special crafted stouts they are so rich and full of life

 

Guinness is 4.2% ABV and is infused with nitrogen instead of carbon dioxide. The nitrogen gives it a smoother, creamier "mouthfeel" (means exactly what it sounds like - how it feels in your mouth).

Carbon dioxide, when it mixes with water, forms a weak acid called "carbonic acid". This mildly acidic "pucker" will make a carbonated stout taste "sharper" than a nitro stout. Also, a lot of craft stouts are higher in ABV - 5% to 7% instead of the 4.2%.

In addition, Guinness is made specifically to be easy to drink - it's basically Ireland's Budweiser. It's also a dry stout where most craft stouts tend to be sweet stouts, which have a richer, thicker body, mouthfeel, and flavour.

What you are experiencing is all of these differences in one glass - higher ABV, thicker, sweeter, and the acidic pucker.

 

Man, that is rough. I do love me some American craft stouts. It's too bad you've got to deal with such harsh indigestion, because I don't know what I'd do without my big, gnarly, delicious imperial stouts. I hope you find some good stuff you can thoroughly enjoy!

 

Guiness is designed to be quaffable. Low abv. Low gravity. Its my go to when no good craft is available.

 

It's also fairly typical for American stouts to be more heavily hopped than Guinness, and hops can induce tummy trouble in some. A pal of mine loves the taste of IPAs but generally avoids them because he says they tear up his gut.

 

Alcohol and carbonation... with Guinness intentionally having really really tiny bubbles, it definitely makes it easier to gulp than a higher alcohol, carbonated American stout.

 

I hear u on the stomach thing. I find that hoppy beers in a session give me heart burn. But stouts dont. Anyone know anything about a possible medical reason for this? The heart burn isnt terrible and goes away after a day or so but i def notice that stouts seem way smoother for me to,drink

 

At least ya guys don't have to deal with sinus congestion during the winter seasons...can't smell a lick and it sucks trying to enjoy and appreciate a good delicious stout when I can't even pick up on any aromas..

 

I used to get horrible acid reflux especially when I would drink beer. I rarely have reflux anymore. What really helped my indigestion was eating natural food the day I was going to drink and staying away from pop. Also what helped was I quit taking antacids. Taking antacids too often temporarily helped, then the indigestion would return twofold. Eating some raw vegetables and staying away from junk food the day of drinking might help with your indigestion when indulging in American stouts. It worked for me and it might be worth a try if you do want a variety in your stouts.