Guinness Extra Stout (Original) - Guinness Ltd.

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, from a grocery store in Kailua-Kona.

This beer pours a solid black abyss, brought back to the surface by some slight back-lit cola edges, with two fingers of tight, glossy foamy beige head, which leaves a nice alternating array of EKG readout and honeycomb webbed lace around the glass as it evenly subsides.

It smells of lightly roasted sweet grainy malt, chocolate-ensconced pears, a twinge of bland citrus, and soft leafy, earthy hops. The taste is more slight toasty dry bready malt, bittersweet chocolate, a wee bit of anise, a mild tart fruitiness, and leafy, weedy hops. No discernible warming from the near 50% ABV jump over the standard draught offering.

The carbonation is quite restrained, the body an agreeable medium weight, and rather deftly smooth. It finishes off-dry, to be sure, the sweetness of the malt and fruit essences taking a bit of lead over a now limping hoppiness.

Well, scores better than the version available (and made in) Canada, with a nice chocolaty, somewhat tangy, measure. Not really great, in my northern mind, of course, for a place where the time of day has absolutely zero bearing on the ambient temperature, but that's a bias unfair to this hearty quaff.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 06:06:08 | More by biboergosum

intensify

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a rocky 2 finger head. This was a straight down the middle pour into a tulip glass. Decent retention and plenty of umbrella lacing.

S- Roasted malts,malty, vanilla, chocolate, roasted pecans, expresso, and a hint of smokiness.

T- Sweet and smokey. The roasted malts give it the smokey backbone, and the sweetness of the vanilla sticks out like a sore thumb. Also detecting some caramel, and a small biscuity taste.

M- Thick and chewy. Medium carbonation and an oily finish.

O- A solid "guinness styled stout". Pleasent on a cold, rainy or snowy night.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 05:46:41 | More by intensify

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.45/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A -Pours dark brown almost black with ruby accents when held to the light. Big tan head that retains well and leaves plenty of lacing.

S - Roasted malts, grassy, hay-like aroma, cardboard,

T - Heavily roasted grain, a good dose of grassy hops, sour notes add a sharpness. Hint of cocoa powder toward the roasted bitter finish.

M - Body is on the heavy side of medium, ample carbonation.

Not as good as I remember it but still better than the watered down draught version.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 22:46:26 | More by StaveHooks

TheSixthRing

California

3.93/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours a dark cola brown with a light tan, 2 finger head, good retention, and leaves behind a thick, sticky lace.

Smell - Aromas are more sweet malt than dark roast, with a decent amount of bittering hops to boot.

Taste - Follows the nose, a lot of bittersweet character to this beer. The sweet malt presence is met with an earthy, bitter hop which dances on the tongue; only after their tango does a nice roasted coffee character come out near the finish, while the bitterness rides beneath.

Mouthfeel - Medium body. Carbonation is decent for a stout. Finish is dry.

Overall - Bigger and stronger than it's 'draught' brother, extra stout gives a much truer impression of what St. James can bring to the table. An interesting beer from sip to finish.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 23:58:23 | More by TheSixthRing

Tschnab

New York

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- a dark pour with a half-inch of mocha brown head.

S- roasted malt and coffee on the nose, like guiness with an added umph.

T- coffe and some semi-sweet chocolate, smooth finish with a bitter twang, slightly metallic. A little thin on the feel.

O- a very solid stout but still misses the mark just a bit on aroma and mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 14:27:00 | More by Tschnab

GordonofSeattle

Washington

4.05/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The first time I had the stout on tap I disliked it. It seemed to hit me like a burnt-bitter fist in the mouth. Subsequent tastings on tap in Ireland converted me into a full on stout lover.

The look, properly poured, is phenomenal.

Smell: smells like a good Irish session.

Taste: roasted, chocolaty, substantive, delicious, creamy, perfect balance of darkness and carbonation.

Overall: If only Guinness in the states were as good as on tap in Ireland....

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2012 01:54:06 | More by GordonofSeattle

majinsnake

West Virginia

3.85/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

So far, it is a good beer. It is nothing like a Southern Tier Choklat Stout, but it is certainly worth trying.

For 6.99 ($2 dollar discount).... the price couldn't be beat. I'll probably try another.

Appearance - About the same as any other beer in a bottle. Though the bottle has more content than most american beers.

Smell - It seemed okay to me.

Taste - I liked it. It has flavor. Yummy

Mouthfeel - It is great. I certainly got more out of it than what I expected.

Overall - I give this 4.0 range. Better than the Guinness Draughts imo

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 11:12:46 | More by majinsnake

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in nonic glass.

Appearance: Almost pitch black, tan head off the initial pour measures roughly 2 fingers length.

Smell: Light malt, barley, it smells bitter believe it or not.

Taste: Bitter, slight molasses with a feel of grapefruit skin.

Mouth: Medium carbonation, not initally the smoothest but is definitely an acquired taste for most, me on the other hand can't get enough.

Overall: Better than it's cousin beer (Guinness Draught), texture is full and more importantly potent in flavor. This beer does not disappoint, Salud!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 20:08:28 | More by BlurryVisi0n

CMUbrew

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a pint glass

A: Poured a two and a half finger (slightly aggressive pour) dark khaki head that soon becomes extremely rocky and looks awesome. Jet black color. Sticky foamy lacing all down the glass.

S: Highly roasted malt smell with some citric hops.

T: Burnt malts that seem harsh at first, but are very nice once you get used to it. Hops are present and give a strictly lemony flavor. Lemony aftertaste

M: Medium-light body. The carbonation is slighlty tingling and seems right. Slightly drying finish.

O: This is so much better than regular Guinness draught. It isn't as watery and has much more flavor. Again, the burnt malt flavor may seem harsh at first, but you can get used to it quickly. I will definitely pick this up again next St. Patty's day.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 23:06:04 | More by CMUbrew

jmarklan

Pennsylvania

2.85/5  rDev -23%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Some guinness for St. Patty's day while i do homework.

A: Pours a dark ebony, a touch of red around the edges. not much light getting through here. Decent head which stays intact and leaves some lacing.

S: Slightly roasted, metallic, astringent. Very slight chocolate and maybe dark fruit.

T: Tastes like it smells, but the metallic/ astringency dominates with tiny notes of the fruit and chocolate. Not very pleasant.

M: Medium body, pretty thin. Drinkable and even a bit refreshing, but not what i'm looking for in a stout.

Overall: Not for me

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 02:01:30 | More by jmarklan

brewskifan55

Mississippi

3.53/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a plastic cup at the Mal's St Paddy's Day parade

A: Tar black with a huge tan head that lingered

S: Malts, licorice, chocolate.

T: Follows the nose. Just as stout as I recall from years past. A burnt, malty/coffee concoction that begs to be dummed down with a weaker lager or ale. Bitter finish. Full bodied. A manly, leprechaun-ass-kicking brew.

M: medium with medium to heavy carbonation.

O: So I'm a wimp. Guiness Extra Stout is just too much for my palate. So I'm adding a little Smithwick's to smooth it out. It worked.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 00:46:11 | More by brewskifan55

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.05/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A 500ml bottle with a BB of Sept 2012. This is the UK version at 4.2% ABV.

Poured into a tulip pint glass. A dark ruby-brown that appears black unless held to the light. Forms a large head of light brown foam that hangs around for a few minutes before subsiding. Aroma of subtle roasted malt with a faint hint of molasses and stewed hops.

Tastes of mild roasted malt with a dry finish. Hints of burnt grain and stewed hops. A restrained bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and pretty dry, but quite light. Mildly astringent. Aftertaste of bitter roasted malt.

Typical Guinnness - not too bad but nothing amazing. The roasted malt is there, but the flavour seems muted. Easy drinking, but far from being the world's greatest stout. Ideal when you don't want to challenge your palate.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 23:52:36 | More by jazzyjeff13

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a Guinness imperial pint.
6% ABV, L1259NE2 on shoulder in black.

A - Dark black, Guinness Extra Stout shows a sliver of tawny mahogany at the bottom while at the top, a dense tan head rises. Thick lace coats the glass following the foam's fast departure.

S - Dense bakers chocolate maltiness carries smoothly into a deeper roast character but the beer still feels like it's thin and one-dimensional. Metallic hints to the finish.

T - Heavily roasted malt presents itself as acrid bitterness at first, slowly shifting to bittersweet chocolate with a light coffee hint on the finish. Harshly grainy, the flavor falls right into place for an Irish Dry Stout.

M - A smooth entry finds itself amid both acrid bitter and dry roasted malt as well as a bite of graininess on the finish. The lingering finish continues to draw me back though.

O - While it certainly isn't the greatest beer the world's seen, Guinness Extra Stout adheres very closely to style guidelines to produces a rich, full-bodied beer that has heavy roasted malt character. Enjoyable!

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 03:53:42 | More by BeerFMAndy

secondtooth

Indiana

3.7/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours pretty well black, as should be expected. Huge, creamy, off-tan head of thick, sticky carbonation. Very nice. Leaves trickly detailed lace, too.

Aroma is cocoa and a little burnt malts. Not bad.

Flavor is sweet up front, a little cocoa, a little nutty and roasty malts, but overall very smooth. Much better, thicker body than the "draught" version. A little hint of sharp hops at the finish, but it's easily masked by the sweet roasts. Overall a solid, if sweet stout that's a great session brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 07:45:59 | More by secondtooth

cjl46

4.03/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Very dark, almost black, and shows a hint of amber color when shown to the light.

Heavy mouthfeel, smokey nutty smell, full smokey roasted taste. Taste stays with you long after drinking.

A very strong tasting beer that is very good and also very filling, but you have to be in the mood for it. Probably couldn't drink more than one in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 01:46:57 | More by cjl46

BTFU

Indiana

4.33/5  rDev +17%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served at O'Bryan's Nine Irish Brothers, West Lafayette, IN

Winner of Best Pint of Guinness in the United States awarded by Diageo (parent company of Guinness)

The environment definitely added to my experience, but that's what pubs and bars are supposed to do. Besides, part of the Guinness experience is to feel like you're in Ireland.

A - It takes them a couple minutes to pour your Imperial pint, but as soon as it is in front of you, you know that it was worth the wait. The head is perfect each time, with just shy of an inch of creamy head. The body is solid black and if you pay attention you can see the bubbles going both up and down in the beer (gotta appreciate the little things in life!!)

S - Some good roasted barely notes and some sweet/smokey caramel scents. This is the only part of the beer that doesn't live up to the rest of it.

T & M - Amazing combination of roasted notes. It changes as it first hits your mouth all the way through until you swallow it and take a breath. Each step in between allows you to get a different element. There's a hop element as you first take it in that is pronounced but not too powerful. It finishes dry with a hint of coffee.

O - Guinness can sometimes taste a little far on the roasted flavors, but that is really dependent upon what's going on around you (smoke, food, other beer scents). I loved the entire experience and it's a great change of pace from all of the more intense ales around.

Serving type: nitro-tap

02-13-2012 21:51:02 | More by BTFU

jman42

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at an Irish Pub in NYC (so perhaps the ambiance added to it)

A - Beautiful black color with nice long-lasting head. Good lacing

S - Nice malty aroma. Hints of coffee. No noticable hoppiness

T - Nice rich taste

M - Creamy, lasts after I swallowed it. Good

O - A nice beer to have on a cool Fall/Winter day. Wouldn't want more than 1 or 2 before switching to something less filling, but nice.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2012 13:30:48 | More by jman42

JohnBeerRun

Georgia

2.8/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I know this beer has a lot of tradition and all but to me it was too flat tasting and the carbonation was not there at all. I liked the color, I'm always drawn to darker beers. But the taste was just not there. I guess if your into flat bland tasting beer with no carbonation then this beer is for you.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 15:17:33 | More by JohnBeerRun

nate714

California

3.3/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle.
A: pitch black and non see through. huge creamy head. beautiful for a stout.
S: light hopps and a creamy malty candy smell.
T: burnt caramel with a lil kick of hops.
M: very thick feeling with little carb. easy drinking.
O: not too big on stouts but this is my go to drink at a pub.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 05:20:15 | More by nate714

DavoleBomb

Ohio

2.08/5  rDev -43.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Poured into a snifter. I hate regular Guinness with a passion for its lifeless, black water taste. I've heard countless times how this is a real beer. We shall see.

3.5 A: Black color. Little over one finger of frothy tan head. Retention is about average and a decent amount of lacing is left.

2.0 S: Smells like a super old pot of coffee, like oxidized/acrid coffee. Chocolate underneath and a mild roast. While the regular smells like nothing, this smells strange and uninviting.

2.0 T: This has the same taste that a horrid brewpub in Baltimore had in all their beers. It's like a soggy piece of bread or at least something of that nature. Mild roastiness. Even less chocolate. Old coffee.

2.0 M: Just lighter than a medium body. Carbonation is a bit too high. No creaminess.

2.0 D: This is a subpar beer for sure, but at least it has some taste (not necessary a good taste) unlike the regular.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 03:51:28 | More by DavoleBomb

BigCheese

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours Ink black, as dark as it gets, cardboard/tan big head, ok lacing.

S: Light roasted coffee, hot chocolate, milky, kinda weak in impact.

O: Sweet coffee/cappucino maltiness. Lemon/orange/blueberry sweeter hop flavor tries to cut through but this one is all about dark maltiness. Rather clean finish.

M: Very carbonated, creamy/syrups, richer, I dig the mouthfeel big time.

O: Great for a macro, better than regular guinness by a longshot.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 19:35:50 | More by BigCheese

usafboy

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appearance- Dark, oily black and loved it!

Smell- Smelled like an average stout: coffee and chocolate.

Taste- Dry! From a guy thats used to milk stouts I wasn't quite ready for the taste of this beast. Sadly had it from a bottle at a party; no glasses available so that might have hindered it.

Mouthfeel- Thick, hearty. Love it.

Overall- A tastey stout although I haven't had the "overseas" version this one was good enough and actually makes me eager to try some in good ol' ireland.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 03:58:00 | More by usafboy

rufusb

Kentucky

3.48/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Not as nice as on-tap. I remember years ago I thought Guinness was so strong and heavy. Now, now after several stronger stouts, Guinness isn't nearly as "stout" as I once thought. Still a great beer. Huge tradition. Always has a thick, foamy head. Wonderful taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 02:46:42 | More by rufusb

djura

Serbia

3.25/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

First there is huge difference between Guinness on tap and bottled one. No need to say on tap is much better. But,i will review bottled, 5% alc,made in Dublin,imported to mostly eastern Europe.

It is hard to review beer after more then 1200 reviews. Almost everything is written. Smell and appearance are plus for this one,but the taste is to alcoholic for me. Roasted barley,coffe and bitter aftertaste.

Again,i did manage to drink it on tap in Scotland,and that one was the best on tap beer i ever had,but this one is just above average.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 17:06:05 | More by djura

stealth

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Not as good as Foreign, but always a good dependable staple. I'm glad pretty much everyone has this on tap in my area. Roasted malt, subtle chocolate, licorice, and a nice balanced bitter finish. Can drink this all night without any real 'repercussions'. Just make sure that its fresh when on-tap. Non-fresh Guinness is not pleasant when it returns the next morning. One of the best looking beers out there.

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2012 10:30:21 | More by stealth