Guinness Draught Extra Cold - Guinness Ltd.

Dave_in_GR

Michigan

3.19/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Poured from a 440ml nitro-can into a pint glass.

Appearance is a dark brown color with a thick and frothy head, great retention and lacing on the sides of the glass.

Smell is very faint, just a hint of roasted malt flavor.

Taste is more robust, lots of roasted malt with some coffee flavors as well. A little hoppy bitterness in there too.

Mouthfeel is pretty average, a surprisingly thin body which might be a result of the serving type (nitro-can). It doesn't leave much of an aftertaste though which makes it quite easy to drink.

Overall, this is not my favorite stout - the body is a bit too light and the taste a bit weaker than I prefer. I feel like a warm pint on tap would be better.

Serving type: nitro-can

05-07-2013 18:19:22 | More by Dave_in_GR

wayngrove

Pennsylvania

2.3/5  rDev -34.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25

I used to think this was what dark beer was all about, which is why I used to drink Miller Lite. I've grown up since then, and moved on to real beer. If you're on this site, you're probably only reading this b/c you agree with me. Guinness is just bland anymore, as far as stoudts go.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 00:33:37 | More by wayngrove

TempeBeerMan

Arizona

3.25/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Time to review the classic.

Poured from a bottle into a nonic pint. (A regular bottle without the ridiculous and unnecessary "nitro widget")

A - Deep dark ruby-brown with a two-finger, perfectly even, off-white head. Lacing quickly slinks back into the glass.

S - Wow. Almost no aroma. Little hint of toasted grain.

T - Roasted grain taste forward, but a kind of a rolled oat, cereal grain flavor. Some mild hops bring bitterness but not much else. Not complex or deep, but the taste presented is pretty good. Roasted, but not burnt.

M - Light bodied, and extremely creamy. Normally wouldnt be something I would rate highly, but it works here. Finishes dry as a bone. Easy drinking for sure.

O - This is the Guinness that everyone associates with the brand, and much better WITHOUT the nitro. That said, it's a classic, but ultimately a little too bland and boring for my personal tastes.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 22:09:34 | More by TempeBeerMan

Scrylol

Alberta (Canada)

2.9/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3

Pours a nice two finger creamy head that sticks for a while. Lot's of lacing. Dark body with hints of ruby red when in front of light.

Slight hint of black coffee followed by a big strong aroma of roasted malt and caramel.

Roasted malts, black coffee, and a hint of hops and earthy notes. Pretty bitter. Leaves a dry bitter aftertaste.

Drinks easily but it is pretty watery. Light body. Doesn't feel right. Enough carbonation to tickle the tongue.

A merely decent stout.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 19:15:05 | More by Scrylol

tectactoe

Michigan

3.1/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

I've had this on tap, nitro-tap, nitro-bottle, and nitro-can. The nitrogen gives the beer an amazing head, which is certainly my favorite thing about Guinness Draught. The beer is a deep, dark brown (nearly black) with a tan head. The head is comprised of very fine, small bubbles, due to the nitrogen, which provides a very well-defined head that will last for days. Starting with a half-inch head on the top, you are left with a quarter-inch head at the bottom of the glass. Beautiful. Guinness doesn't have a very strong smell, but you can pick up some roasted tones and maybe slight coffee/chocolate, but not much. The taste is full of grains and roasted barley, very slight black coffee, and not much chocolate. Overall, a very average taste - not great, but not bad at all. The mouth isn't as creamy as it may look - very thin.

Guinness is my macro-brew beer of choice. It's not great, but it's not at all bad, and at such a low ABV, you can enjoy them all night without making a fool of yourself.

Serving type: nitro-tap

09-25-2012 03:48:16 | More by tectactoe

Iceman74

5/5  rDev +42.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The best beer I have ever had, hands down. The creaminess of this beer is matched by no other. The chocolate, coffe flavors come straight through, with no after taste. Not to heavy, not to light. Simply perfect. The model which all stouts are made after.

Serving type: on-tap

08-10-2012 06:01:41 | More by Iceman74

ThaCreep

Belgium

2.13/5  rDev -39.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Black color. No oxidation. Flat body, very watery and tasteless or nearly so. Just a bit of roasted malt but then, really super discreet. Creamy touch unappetizing. Finish slightly bitter but with this industrial side well disgusting. Really not good at all. It seems clear that a cut Guinness Draught Classic with water.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 12:59:33 | More by ThaCreep

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: The bubbles! Oh the bubbles! They really DO sink! It's amazing! Perfect lacing and foam. Nice dark brown color, almost red when it's in the light. Nothing beats this.

Smell: Honestly, I don't get much from the smell here. Some maltiness I guess and maybe chocolate or molasses.

Taste/Mouthfeel: On the negative side, Guinness comes out a bit oily and watery when you drink it, which I really don't like. However, this extra greasiness makes it easy to drink. Good, creamy taste. Fairly bitter. More bubbles than extra stout. Definitely better on tap.

Drinkability: Nothing beats this. Smooth, light, velvety appearance make this what it is. So that appearance alone makes this unbeatable.

Overall: It's impossible not to drink this. Carbonation is off-putting from a can/bottle but great on tap. I average that as above average.

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2011 19:45:36 | More by tjsdomer2

CaptJackHarkness

New York

4.63/5  rDev +31.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours black/ruby with creamy mocha beige head. Does not produce much of the "Fall", the waterfall cascade effect of the effervescent carbonation!
Head is well lasting, laces the glass nicely. The taste is of coffee and dark unsweetened chocolate and a tangy bite of bitterness. The nitro bottle is the closest thing to bringing the pub home!

Serving type: nitro-bottle

09-22-2011 23:08:55 | More by CaptJackHarkness

MEsoJD

California

3.5/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

440ml nitro-can poured into a glass. Had some in my fridge and figured I should add it to my review list.

A: Black body(slight red) with very creamy light mocha head. Adequate lacing.

S: Smells of coffee, roasted malt, and dark chocolate. Basic smell you would expect from stouts.

T: Taste creamy/milky light coffee, little sweetness, followed by a hint of bitterness. The roasted notes is very light, and takes time to notice.

M: Light bodied, little alcohol presence, almost no carbonation, and smooth/creamy.

O: Guinness has always come off as adequate and this time is no different. You can defiantly do way worse and vice versa. I would recommend buying this in bulks for parties, beer pong, and etc... I actually seem to prefer the nitro can, oppose to the bottle. I heard it's really good on tap in Ireland, but I'm not visiting anytime soon.

Serving type: nitro-can

09-16-2011 02:17:42 | More by MEsoJD

drowninginhops

South Carolina

3.73/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured in standard pint glass, review from notes.

A: Black in color with ruby edges with creamy head that leaves good lacing.

S: Malts with some chocolate backing it up along with grain.

T: Toasted malts not bitter slightly sweet.

M: A little thin for a stout but not terrible.

D: Good for that stout mood you might get in when the craft store is closed.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

06-22-2011 01:46:18 | More by drowninginhops

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.58/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Nitro bottle purchased at Total Wine in Alexandria. Glad to have that zero taken out of my profile. Only one to go now. Served in a Hill Farmstead wine glass.

The pour is nearly a thing of beauty. The nitro pellet really does its job. Body is pitch black. The head is just barely off white and skies up a few fingers with good retention and quite a bit of lacing. Each swirl creates three layers--black up to a mix of brownish-black bubbles and then the white head. Really pretty. From there, downhill.

The nose brings some very light chocolate and roasted malt. It's hiding in the background. Some light toffee as well. The flavor is a bit unappetizing. There's too much toffee and not enough roast. The creaminess further enhances the toffee flavor. I think there's probably a touch of diacetyl in there, but not too much. Mild roast that really doesn't come through until the finish, which is too dry. Not a big fan of this one, other than looking at it.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

05-31-2011 15:23:08 | More by Thorpe429

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

440ml nitro-can poured into a Guinness glass.

Note: I've had this can sitting around since Halloween, so I'm not sure if that would affect the quality of the beer...

A - Not totally black, but almost; just a touch of redness in it. Great big thick mocha head, two fingers after a rather conservative pour. Leaves unbelievable lacing. Thick creamy cap stays on top.

S - Tons of roasted malt and coffee on the nose. Bits of dark chocolate and butterscotch are noticeable as well.

T - Roasted malt is prevalent with a ton of coffee and a respective bitterness. Very rich and creamy, but I feel like there's a touch of metallic taste in there that's resulted from being stored for too long in the can. I'm picking up all kinds of flavors here, really enjoyable. Slight toffee and caramel taste as well. I like that I can pick up so many flavors without this feeling the least bit overwhelming.

M - Next to no carbonation. Thick and creamy body. Very smooth and fitting mouth-feel for this style.

D - Mild flavored and heavy, but nonetheless really enjoyable. Admittedly I'm not a very big fan of stouts, but I really liked this one.

Note: I don't really understand this "extra-cold" stuff... I assumed I was drinking a Guinness draught? but I don't really know now...

Serving type: nitro-can

05-22-2011 22:22:10 | More by Converge

augustgarage

California

3.15/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Served well chilled in my Samuel Smith nonic. First beer in at least 2 weeks isn't terribly exciting but it was a freebie, so...

Opaque bistre body with a thick creamy stand of wheat colored foam. Superior retention (as to be expected of this style). Pasty slopes of lacing.

Light roast aroma with a tinge of cheap tobacco.

Toasted grain, drawn butter, and hints of stale cocoa on the palate. Somewhat tart, with very low bitterness, leading into a moderately dry yet bland finish.

Medium-light bodied and very creamy.

I'm not a big fan of pasteurized beer generally...additionally, this is the least flavorful iteration of Guinness I've tried so far...

Serving type: nitro-bottle

05-09-2011 03:07:10 | More by augustgarage

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 14.9 oz. nitro can. Has a black color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is mild, some malts and slightly sweet. Taste is also rather mild, some malts, much less flavor than some other Guinness stouts. Feels creamy in the mouth and overall is a pretty good beer.

Serving type: nitro-can

04-10-2011 14:43:28 | More by tone77

chuckiebobphil

Michigan

4.3/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Lets just start by saying that I wasn't the biggest beer drinker until I started drinking this. I really do enjoy this beer and its got a great flavor and full body and the color is something to be liked as well. This beer kicks ass and a good one to start drinking with

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2011 18:43:26 | More by chuckiebobphil

kojevergas

California

3.7/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes. Served on nitro-tap in Glasgow, Scotland, in a Guinness pint glass. The pour was a well-executed double pour, though I didn't stopwatch him. I'm a huge Guinness (and stout) fan, so I'm excited to see how different this is.

A: Brilliant bubble show; tan creamy wonderful head of excellent retention. Looks exactly like Guinness draught back home in Galway, Ireland.

Sm: Toffee, coffee, chocolate, roast, barley.

T: All of the notes from the nose. Creamier finish than the Guinness draught in Ireland. Balanced and brilliant. Not as bitter as Irish Guinness draught. The roast is different, shifted more towards the finish. The serving temperature dulls the flavour a bit.

Mf: Smoother than draught. A bit less dry on the climax, but even American Guinness draught is that way.

Dr: Sure I'd have it again, but in Glasgow's real ale/cask ale scene, why bother? Guinness draught is better outright. The price is right, but the abv is low.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-07-2011 23:42:41 | More by kojevergas

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

2.85/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I am not sure sure what "Extra Cold" in the name of the beer implies. I did attempt to drink a few at a temperature of 40 to 45 degrees (Fahrenheit) and then immediately placed the remainder of the six pack in the refrigerator so they would be "extra cold."

The beer pours black with some brown-ruby highlights around the edges. The nitro-bottle packaging allows a nice thick cap of foam, which showed excellent retention. A good looking brew.

The aroma is darkly toasted malt with some wisps of very dark fruit, not much cocoa or chocolate though. Those notes translate to the flavor as well, but with muted effectiveness. The flavors are thwarted by a creamy flatness (I don't what else to call it) which is not desirable.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

02-21-2011 01:41:43 | More by BeardedBoffin

DovaliHops

California

3.23/5  rDev -8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to the nitro-bottle, this beer pour beautifully. I absolutely love the way Guinness looks when it's from a nitro tap, and this looks exactly the same. Pours with a thick appearance that looks like a chocolate milkshake. It turns from a creamy brown color to a very transparent black. When held up to light you can see through this and it is a dark red color. Big creamy head on this one. It looks like what a cappuccino would look like. Now I had to write a lot about the appearance, because that's the best part of this beer...it kinda goes downhill from here. Scent is quite pleasant with some chocolate and malt notes. Also has a kinda skunky scent as well though. Taste is WAY TOO WATERY! The flavors of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, and some vanilla are there, but just way too watered down. The mouthfeel is just like I said, way too watered down and flat. I know this is because of the nitro, but I've had bears that weren't this flat from nitro taps. Drinkability is somewhat high if you enjoy drinking chocolate flavored water.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

02-20-2011 07:16:54 | More by DovaliHops

Dave128

Kentucky

2.83/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

11.2 Oz bottle into pint glass.

A - A vigorous pour not to much avail. I figured the head would be almost uncontrollable in this "draught" version. Looks nice, okay lacing and head about a couple coins deep stays around the whole time.

S - Pretty good basic smelling stout. Roasty smell is very inviting!! I haven't had guinness before so I assume its about the same as the other versions.

T - Meh.. If I had to describe it in one phrase.. "watered down" I feel like this could be a great stout.. the flavors are there, the smell is there... its just not enough. Almost flat and not very impressive

M - Carbonation is low and mouthfeel is thin and watery.

D - I feel like this may be a bad representation of guinness and I will definitely try different variations in the future, but this one does not impress at all.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 03:51:36 | More by Dave128

CuriousMonk

Virginia

4/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap from brewpubs across Ireland during my visit in 2001. Guinness Extra Cold is a chilled version of the classic Irish dry stout Guinness. Pours the same appearance as a draught - nice head and laces that lingers throughout the drinking session. Aroma of coffee and stout chocolate. Great carbonation and medium body throughout. Tastes wonderful being extra cold. Really liked the igloo on top of the tab handles. Too bad they're not served in the States. The beer is brewed at the James Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland and would be a great pint if it was served at normal ale temperature of around 8-12 degrees. Needless to say, even if the beer was too cold, it was still quite quaffable!

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-28-2011 05:18:44 | More by CuriousMonk

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

2.83/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a crystal mug the color dark brown to black with hints of red when held into the light Very nice head which sticks around and is very creamy in texture and color.
Was very surprised about the plastic device in the bottle.
Weak smell hints some coffee and roasted malt.
Tasting the beer I was a little disappointed about the lack of taste. Very watery, almost flat beer with very little character of the usual standart in a Guinness. Some roasted malt bitterness as aftertaste.
low carbonation and very creamy it is drinkable, but does not invite for a lot. Probably wont buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 03:48:25 | More by Hopfenpeter

ptykozoon

California

2.6/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Black, tan head. Sticky lacing.

Burnt chocolate, toffee. Off putting however.

Watered down roasted chocolate. Cigarette ashes in water.

Very dense for the low Abv. Medium carbonation. Buttery thick mouthfeel.

Not the worst beer in the world, and quite sessionable, tis a pitty the beer has some off putting scents and generally is quite bland and watery.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

01-15-2011 02:58:41 | More by ptykozoon

tburus

Kentucky

3.05/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a Guinness pint glass.

Appearance: Black liquid with a well-retained one-finger head. And of course the bubbles. They really are something different than most beers. Head clings to glass as the beer goes down.

Smell: Very bread-like smell with notes of roasted and bitter grains.

Taste: Muted roasted bitterness and a slight hint of yeast and a touch of sweetness as it warms. Sadly way too watery to get much out of it.

Mouthfeel: Slight roasted bitterness lingers, but most everything got washed away by the wateriness of the beer.

Drinkability: This beer looks wicked cool, but once you start pouring it back it's a real disappointment. If you want something light that boosts your ego to own this is the beer, but for the price you're paying the overall experience is woefully unimpressive. Thankfully there are stronger versions of this iconic brand available on the shelves.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

01-08-2011 04:08:52 | More by tburus

KAdams

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pitch black with a thick, fluffy head that leaves great lacing.

Smell - Roasted malts, and some coffee.

Taste - A lot like the smell, with that bitter, burnt, roasty flavor up front. Almost like burnt toast with some strong coffee and a hint of dark chocolate.

Mouthfeel - Pretty light despite the heavy flavors. Smooth, creamy carbonation.

Drinkability - I've been known to kill a 6 pack during a basketball game. Overall a good standby stout without getting too expensive or adventurous.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2011 17:29:01 | More by KAdams