Guinness Extra Stout (Original) - Guinness Ltd.

Jagcorps

Nebraska

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

On-tap in Ireland, in a pint glass.

A: There is nothing quite like a properly served Guinness for appearance. It consists of a black body and cream mocha head separated by a cascading mixture of the two.

S: Smells of rich, toasted coffee, with some hints of bread.

T: Chocolate, coffee, caramel, cream and alcohol. Finishes bitter and dry.

M: Smooth, soft, silky and finishing with a bite.

D: Six of these and some nice Irish folk music in Doolin and you've had one heck of a night!

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2007 04:17:15 | More by Jagcorps

amtriska

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a dark, deep brown that smells warm, musky, and inviting. Wood and charcoal tastes mixed in with a nutty almost-sweetness and a clearly-defined hoppiness. Might turn off Guiness Draught drinkers for its carbonation and stronger flavor -- you won't be able to knock a sixer down quite like you would the Draught -- but its "big" taste and complex flavors should satisfy any lover of strong, dark beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2010 08:22:32 | More by amtriska

Midway

United Kingdom (England)

3.13/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance - Little smoke, black colour. Head was creamy, spongy, foamy, frothy, looked very inviting.

Smell - Musty, strong smell with a little hint of sweetness.

Taste - Bitter and strongish, skunky with a bitter and dry aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Balance of light and heavy and also a balance of thickness and thin. Coarse feel.

Drinkability - Ok consumption would have it a few more times, overall a decent stout.

Serving type: can

01-29-2010 18:45:25 | More by Midway

SimpleBeerLover

Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Served in a Guinness branded pint glass. Everything I like in a beer. Decent head and black as the night.

Smell: Chocholatey and malt smell.

Taste: Excellent. notes of chocolate. Tastes and feel exactly like its name: Stout.

Mouthfeel: Slightly thin, but the head is phenomenal in your mouth.

Drinkability: Maybe not all night, but I love nothing more than to pound back a few Guinnesses after a hard day.

My old standby. Not my favorite beer in the world, but probably my favorite major commercial beers. The fact that its available everywhere and is delicious makes it for me. Also surprisingly low calorie for its "meal in a glass" reputation.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2010 05:22:18 | More by SimpleBeerLover

sonicyouth45

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

I think this beer is great and could be a lot better. The one thing that I love the most about this beer is the smooth creaminess. Its so creamy you could accidentally drink the whole beer in one sip. The only disappointing factor to it is the fact that the flavor is not that strong. Its there for a little bit then kind of fades away. That being said I think its a great beer if you are in the mood for good grub and what not. It's not so much as a dedicated thick-flavor beer in my opinion.

Serving type: nitro-can

04-29-2011 01:31:05 | More by sonicyouth45

maltmelon

New Mexico

3.43/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a great safety beer, a lot of times it will be one of only several alternatives available other than BMC. I'm always thankful for it at those times.

It's a little disappointing that they want you to think it's from Ireland when it's actually from Canada. But the taste is what's important I suppose.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 23:17:38 | More by maltmelon

gatorjames85

Florida

3.23/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle marked "extra stout"

Pour produces a dark, almost black beer, but with a tinge of ruby.
The smell is of coffee with overtones of hops.
The coffee and hops smells are expressed with the first sip. Also present is a creamy maltiness. The mouthfeel is definitely fairly thick. Drinkability is fair. I have had more drinkable beers and less drinkable beers.
This beer tastes much stronger and has a much thicker feel than Guinness Draught. A fairly good, readily available version of an Irish Stout.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2006 05:48:17 | More by gatorjames85

paul0388

Pennsylvania

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

I was really excited when I picked up this six pack today. I am a HUGE fan of guinness draught, and finally finding the elusive Guinness Extra Stout made my day, but it sadly didnt live up to my expectations as being an above average beer experience. Beautiful color and pours a rich 2 1/2" head. Dissapates after a few minutes to only a centimeter or so. Great lacing. Has the strong, distinct guinness smell, thats the only way i can describe it, just cant get enough of that burnt malt aroma. Tastes like the draught but with more of a hoppy, bitter kick. Has the deep burnt malt taste but suprisingly was slightly wattery. Not as thick as the draught. Not quite as drinkable as the draught but drinkable none the less. I do like this beer but when im in the Guinness mood i think ill take the draught, just has more to offer, but this is definately worth trying, if you can find it. Im not dissapointed, just wasnt what I expected, but indeed, Guinness Extra Stout is well worth the $10.50 for a 6 pack.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2006 23:58:34 | More by paul0388

sjambok1

Nevada

4.4/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Honestly, my favorite of the comercially available, largely brewed beers. The stout is very strong and enjoyable. Althought something I would not want to drink pint after pint, a pint at dinner does me well.

A-I love the obsidian black of this beer. Good, thick head.

S-Earthy. Strong. Difficult to describe, but good. Wakes you up.

T-I love the taste of the extra stout. Very bitter but slightly sweet at the beginning

MF-Good, but not quite enough carbonation to keep it going.

Drinkablility-Good for an extrememly strong stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2006 20:47:16 | More by sjambok1

HSThompson

District of Columbia

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

Personally, I prefer this to the draught.

A: Pours very dark,with a minimal dark tan heard. Little lacing.

S: smell is dominated by some light coffee and big roasted malt flavor. Little bit of chocolate in there too.

T: coffee, some sweetness, and I get a lingering taste of raisins.

M: Nothing spectacular, maybe a bit light for a stout if anything but enjoyable none the less.

D: Very drinkable; my beer of choice for this past year's "St. Patty's Day Massacre".

Overall: A classic, nothing special by BA standards, and while I won't seek this beer out I do enjoy it every year on St. Patty's.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2007 23:18:25 | More by HSThompson

sawyer776

California

4.53/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Guinness was my first beer and my only beer for many years. It's served me well for a long time, but the extra stout is even better.

I'm the first to admit that it's not the greatest beer ever crafted. But I would put it head to head with any macro brew in the world. At just over a buck a bottle with shelf space in every supermarket and liquor store in America, it's one of the cheapest and most available of beers worthy of respect.

The appearance is flawless. Pitch black, creamy head. It evokes a Pavlovian response: good times are coming.

The scent is fine, so far as it goes. It smells like a good beer, but it doesn't smell like it tastes and that always disappoints me. Do not misunderstand: it is fine, just not worthy of the superlatives in the rest of this review.

The taste is wonderful, but there is nothing I can say about it that hasn't been said before and better. Coffee, toast, et cetera. It's just good, and that's all there is to it.

I'd like a thicker mouthfeel, which keeps me from giving it a five. The carbonation is ideal, I think, and the head is unequaled in a bottled beer, but there is something ever-so-slightly off. Not enough to ruin it, not enough to really damage the experience at all, just enough to keep it from utter perfection.

This is my session beer. It's a little richer than most people would like, and the alcohol is fairly high for the purpose, but Guinness is the fuel of the Irish people, and for good reason.

In summary, the beer isn't suited for a careful tasting, and it won't hold up to a Chimay (or any craft brew or fine import), but it's a good beer for great times, it's easy to find, it won't break the bank, and it's worthy of respect.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2008 10:02:49 | More by sawyer776

absoludicrous

Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Thick, dark, very opaque, almost black. Very foamy light head, tan in color, sticks to the side of the glass. Not as attractive as the Draught bottle/can or tap.

S: Roasty, smokey, nutty a bit sour on the finish

T: Like a Stout should, lightly malty, very nutty, and smokey, a little sour on the finish, does a good job of tasting like it smells. Medium body, not as watery as the nitro bottle, I like the taste better, it's sweeter.

M: Feels thicker than the nitro bottle/can or tap. Doesn't have that bitterness to it, a bit sour on the end.

D: Definitely a beer I could session. It almost has a food quality to eat, like you're eating the beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2009 19:03:46 | More by absoludicrous

ebingen

California

4.25/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hiterto this day I have not really enjoyed stouts, but as time goes on drinking various types of beer, one's pallet matures - at least that's been my experience and is why I'm doing something I never thought I'd be doing: reviewing a stout.

When I first drank this beer, I felt that stouts of all kinds were too viscous. I did not enjoy the soft texture followed by the bitter afterkick; but tonight when I poured this beer and proceeded to enjoy it, I was thoroughly impressed. It is apparent to me why this beer is so popular worldwide.

Served in a bottle.

A: Poured a black, smooth liquid. Thick as is to be expected of its brew, but not disgusting like mud. Foamy tan head followed.

S: I have been known to smell strange things in beer, for some reason I smell grapes - or a scent similar to grapes. Regardless, the smell was pleasing and one of its most redeaming qualities.

T: Delicious? Both the initial taste and the after taste are enjoyable.

M: Soft.

D: Pretty much can be considered a session beer, though I like to take my time feeling the beer over a long period of time.

It's a great beer. Please don't take it for granted.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2009 02:21:14 | More by ebingen

Plumbwader

Texas

2.85/5  rDev -23%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

One finger head that diminishes quickly. The smell is the best thing about this beer. Nice roasty aroma with hints of coffee. Don't like the way this hits my mouth at all. Starts to fizzy and ends too dry. Tastes like chocolate covered raisin stout! Very disappointed because I really wanted to like this stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 22:52:43 | More by Plumbwader

PistolCreep

Florida

4.95/5  rDev +33.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 12oz bottle to a Guinness tulip glass

Appearance: Pours a nice dark tan 2 finger head looks very creamy, beer color is dark as can be with red ruby hues on the bottom corners of the glass.

Smell: Nice hints of chocolate, coffee and toffee a little sweet not so much.

Taste: The body of this beer is not so heavy as it might appear its very drinkable, goes down smooth and very filling. Taste just like it smells you can pick up hints of coffee as you sip and dark chocolate as the after taste, not too carbonated very tasty beer with a body that's not to thin and not to heavy its just right a nice robust package.

Overall: Very balanced goes down smooth I noticed a big difference when drinking this beer at its proper temperature (50-55) it becomes more robust and your palate will pick up some notes you thought were not their if drank very cold, very intense, a good beer one of my regulars I recommend it

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 11:08:43 | More by PistolCreep

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

Jhun

Minnesota

3.28/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Well I really enjoy this beer. This is the beer that I compare all other beers to, it is what I drink on a regular basis. It is a little different sice they changed to the Canada brewery but I still enjoy it. All in all This is what I use when I want to get drunk and I am a little light on the cash.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2006 04:26:23 | More by Jhun

cbray

United Kingdom (England)

2.75/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Looks beautiful, but fairly shabby for a stout. Stout is supposed to be extra thick and juicy, being a Stout Porter, but Guinness just seems fairly insipid and thin. I love the heritage, look and brand, but it's a really weak product. I think the accountants over in St. James' gate have got to the brewers and penny-pinching has prevailed. It's sad but true. Not the best stout in the world, not even the best stout in Dublin...

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2011 13:24:31 | More by cbray

stoutordie

Vermont

3.9/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a classic stout and for me an impulse buy in most bars, having seen nothing out of the ordinary on draught. To truly enjoy this beer it must be served at room temperature so it can open up.
A Guinness poured into a pint glass is a thing of beauty. Huge tan head that is as creamy as can be. (Guinness is actually marketing a product that takes the on tap beer and vibrates it to produce a genuine head).
If it's too cold you won't be smelling much through the head, but if you can resist and let it warm a bit there are definite coffee notes.
The mouth feel is really interesting as far as stouts go. I find it coats your mouth much less than the blackness would make you think it would , and it finishes with a kick and a bit of sweetness. Again, if it's too cold it will be more bitter.
If you are looking for a beer to sip and not swill, as I'm sure everyone is ;), Guinness is a winner and actually relatively easy to find in the US.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2007 00:59:31 | More by stoutordie

Yoshiplace

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Straight out of the fridge, poured into a glass.

A: pretty darn good looking. dark brown, almost black, with a nice creamy head.

S: not overwhelming. creamy and coffee-like.

T: somewhat lacking for a stout. nice malty tastes, and some coffee/chocolate, but nothing exceptional.

M: can't complain with this brew. very smooth, as expected.

D: wouldn't want more than one of these at a time. can't really picture what sort of meal this would go with. fine on its own, though.

overall: good for a typical beer. If you're a stout person, please do yourself a favor and grab a Siberian Night Imperial Stout by Thirsty Dog Brewing Company.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2010 03:25:56 | More by Yoshiplace

noirguy

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

If I could drink but one beer every day for the rest of my life, this is it. There are beers that I have liked better in tastings, but this one is the one that would be (and it) my stand-by.

The flavor is deep and rich, with smoky undertones. No beer has a better head or better lacing.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2010 02:01:58 | More by noirguy

Babaauto

Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Great tasting beer with nice bitter taste and good after taste.
Does not have a lot of froth like the regular draft but i like it this way. Prefer this any day over the regular Guinness draft. Bit heavy feel after you drink it, so my max is 2-3 bottles only. A bit more pricey for the volume you get but well worth it.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2010 04:37:57 | More by Babaauto

krazycure

Texas

4.55/5  rDev +23%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I specifically signed up in order to refute a few reviews that literally made me go "WHAAA?!?!", in particular, the one that said "I have no idea why this has survived since 1759". Ok. This really got my blood boiling. Here's a little background. I hate just about every other guinness, most especially the DRAUGHT can with that stupid rocket .. thing. It tastes awful, completely flat. But THIS?!? This is the epitome of stout. The flavor is so deep, so rich, I TINGLE when I drink it. It's like suckling from the teat of a magical buxom beer fairy. There are so many notes: chocolate, coffee, perhaps some wood barrel flavor (real or simulated who knows), that I can not help but relish every sip. It is so full bodied that I have the same reaction to it as a fat booty chick. DAYYYUMM! It so perfectly dark and enjoyable. To those who rated this below an A: WTF are you thinking. Go drink your bud ICE and whatever it is YOU think is awesome. For people like me, who enjoy a thick, brooding, immaculately complex flavor profile with a satisfying aftertaste, this is THE BEER. End of story. Yes, it's too expensive, yes, it will make you fat as hell. But it's worth it. EVERY LAST DROP. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2010 13:41:57 | More by krazycure

keeper006

Oklahoma

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

Plenty to read about this famous brew. Just had to note that if you go to Ireland and have this form the tap there, it will ruin the imported bottle stuff we get in America for you.

The woodsy malt is more pronounced and it is much sweeter and nuttier. I see why they spend a lot on trying to come up with different ways to keep this fresh in the bottle when shipping, it is so much better I can't drink it ever since I got back to the US.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2011 19:05:57 | More by keeper006

25santurce

Florida

4.45/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

appearance; black like spresso,brown head that takes time to go away and and stays in your mug

smell; coffe/malty,chocolate,roasty

taste;spresso and chocolate some bitternes at the end

mouthfeel; satisfaying,feels like a whole meal,a hint bitterness at the end

drinkability; like I said is like having a meal I can drink this stout for breakfast

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 19:03:34 | More by 25santurce