Guinness Foreign Extra Stout - Guinness Ltd.

irishbrendan

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +22%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

best beer I've had yet. It is a beer work of art. It was both smooth to drink and with a ever pleasant aroma to the mix. With strong hints of chocolate, and an earthly darkened barley taste. Its an great beer to try and to share with friends and family.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 05:00:20 | More by irishbrendan

GoldenChild

Michigan

5/5  rDev +22%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A:
Jet black with a big white pillow on top of it. Carbonation did i say CARBONATION???? if you like Guinness but cant stand the fact that there is no co2 to it then you are going to be happily surprised by this beer.

S:
A pure malt bomb. The coffee aroma is enormous, the scent of chocolate huge. Very deeply roasted. The hops are heavy too: Dried grass and wood. The yeast imparts rich notes of earth and leather. The faintest alcohol comes through on the nose in the form of shoe polish. This is no bother to me since it plays off of the leathery notes nicely.

T:
Mirrors the nose while adding depth and complexity. Somewhat reminiscent of charcuterie. Light smoke & charcoal and perhaps a stronger woody presence on the palate.

M:
The mouthfeel is full. A thick and gritty texture matches the effervescence perfectly. Finishes bitter and lightly astringent from the deeply roasted qualities mentioned above.

D:
This is a super beer and i will be buying more. Too bad its so high in Abv. Will be buying more for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2011 19:52:01 | More by GoldenChild

cdrogers

Illinois

5/5  rDev +22%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from bottle to Guinness pint glass at about 52F.

Appearance: Dark, black coffee. Tan, velvet head.
Smell: Definitely get the coffee and malts. Nice roasty smell. Definitely get the hoppiness coming through as well.
Taste: Head is very creamy when it hits the lips. Get the roasted malts right from the beginning and then it goes into the coffee and finally the hops. Very well balanced though and none of them stand out above the rest.
Mouthfeel: Head is very creamy. A thickness to the overall beer, it's great. Very smooth.
Overall this is super. The head, even though it is not nitrogenous, is very similar to the draught in that way. Lovely and glad it's in the states.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 01:45:05 | More by cdrogers

mrfreakybig

New York

5/5  rDev +22%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

This is, without question, one of the best beers I’ve ever had. The only part about it that was less than fantastic was the bottle was only 11.2 oz. It pours a deep dark, opaque brown, nearly black. Smells roasty, almost, but not quite like coffee. It’s hoppy, and strong, smooth on the tongue. I can’t say enough. This is truly a special beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 13:59:41 | More by mrfreakybig

CAMRAhardliner

Ontario (Canada)

4.95/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is my favorite beer in the world and it isnt even available in North America (guinness, wake up and smell the roasted barley, this would sell huge in N.A.). I got some bottles from a friend that went to St martin to review. The bottle looks cool, the 'Guinness is good for you' logo are classic. It's black, inky and opaque. The head is tan, huge, and rocky and craggy like a mountain range. Left behind on the glass are gobs of rocky trailings (these arent mere lace).

The aroma is powerful. The most dominant smell is of dark chocolate and coffee from the roasted barley. There is also a distinct hoppy bitterness and elements of vanilla, licorice and some kind of fruit.

The taste is intense. Everything about it is big and bold. Think regular Guinness on whatever it was that made Mark Mcguire hit all those home runs. Big malt flavours contend with big hop flavors right off the bat. I can isolate the dark chocolate flavors, espresso coffee flavors, or hop bitterness much easier than I can with other beers, I guess Im trying to say they are so pronounced. It is really beautiful.

The mouthfeel of this brew is at once syrupy creamy and grainy. And Thick!, its like Guinness concentrate. It actually coats your mouth. It hides its 7.5 ABV remarkably well making it deceptively easy to drink. A perfectly balanced brew. The pinnacle of the stout maker's art.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2004 01:30:02 | More by CAMRAhardliner

JamesS

Indiana

4.95/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a fantastic deep black color with great head and wonderful lacing. It has a huge deep aroma, with great malty sweetness underneath a great roasted grain and coffee aroma. Wonderful taste, a wonderful thick dry stout with coffee tones and a slight hint of chocolate, with a nice light hop after tone on the tongue. It goes down wonderfully smooth with just the slightest roughness from the higher ABV. This is a wonderful stout, perfection.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 21:03:04 | More by JamesS

keysofebony

New Jersey

4.95/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Regular Guinness is one of my go-to beers, but this tops it. It's like double guinness; tastier and gets the job done quicker.

A- I would call this an imperial stout, or maybe just an 'extra' stout. It's pure black with no chance of light passing through. There is a typical tan stout head. Head sticks around but unfortunately I couldn't find this in a can with the nitro-ball.

S- The base of the smell is a strong presence of dark chocolate surrounded by sort of a sweet red wine-like scent. On top of that maybe a hint of mint leaf. (very little)

T- The first wave of taste is that guinness black-coffee taste. Followed by a warming presence, but i am not tasting alchohol. The warming of the alcohol is covered by dark chocolate and a minty, red wine taste. (hard to describe the red wine im getting, you'll just have to try it)

M- It has a sweetened cocoa aftertaste, which is nice especially when pairing it with right foods. I have to say this is the first time i've properly paired a food with beer. I had rare-cooked spare ribs and it felt like the manliest, tastiest meal ever.

O- This has just replaced Guinness Draught in my book. Too bad it is pricey, but well worth it on occasion. If you like Guinness or any imperial stouts/porters, try this. I'll certainly be buying this again since I work at a liquor store. :P cheers.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 04:58:38 | More by keysofebony

Beerbluesbiology

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

WOW. Amazing. This is truly as close as you get to perfection in a bottle. Pours a beautiful fluffy two-fingered light brown head which retains at about one finger. Looks like beautiful brown clouds! Bursting with delicious smells-slight hit of EtOH allows the nose to take up a flowing smell onslaught of toffee, really dark chocolate and dark caramel. You may also pick up some of the hops in the nose, but they will hit you in the taste. Tastes first of very dark chocolate, and retains a flavour of coffee throughout. The sweetness of the toffee, ethanol and chocolate at the beginning of the taste are complemented wonderfully by the hop bitterness which lingers throughout with the coffee. The beer feels very smooth and pleasing and invites you to take another sip. Really a spectacular stout...probably one of the best in the world!

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2011 22:30:02 | More by Beerbluesbiology

mbrady55

Florida

4.9/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a beautiful dark black but when held to light revealed a ruby red character. smell was subdued but nonetheless presented a nice roasty character as well as some chocolate. taste was where this shined, roasty and delicious all around, nice dark chocolate and almost milk like quality. full mouthfeel and was incredibly drinkable, i could put down these without blinking an eye, although they do creep up on you after a few.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 22:39:43 | More by mbrady55

mustang70

Tennessee

4.9/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

this is my first review so I'll do my best.

poured into a pint glass from an 11.2 ounce bottle.

it poured a thick black that you can't see through. a good 2 finger head that dissipates slowly. good lacing that sticks to the glass.

I smell roasted malts, coffee and a hint of chocolate.

taste of roasted malts and coffee. I slight taste of alcohol and a sweetness at the back.

it has a thick chewy feel that's not too much on the pallet.

overall I really enjoyed this beer. having had Guinness on tap and in the bottle I must say this is my fav. at 7.5 abv I would never guess it. very easyanxious to drink. I would drink this more regulary if the price was better. will definitely buy again and recommend to others.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 00:45:06 | More by mustang70

irishevans

Alaska

4.9/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Black as pitch, and no light coming through even when held up to the light. the head, which is a medium to light tan in color, poured just over 2 fingers thick, but then settles down to about three quarters of a finger. leaves a nice bit of foamy lace behind too.

N- Roasted, almost burnt malt all day long, and definite chocolate scent in the mix as well. there is also a bit of a floral aroma, likely from the generous amount of hops that Guinness claims to brew this with.

T- Roasted malts, dark fruits like dates or perhaps raisins, chocolate flavor, all dancing a beautiful ballet on my palate. the floral taste from the hops shows up near the finish, and lingers, although the malt does come back at the end. it has a lovely bitterness to it, mostly roasted malt, but also a nice bit from the hops too. there is a subtle heat from the alcohol too, but it does not overpower any of the rest of the flavors, at all.

M- gets off to a very smooth start, then gets a bit more crisp from carbonation as it goes along, then ends up on again on a smooth, albeit bitter note. it takes you on an absolutely lovely ride.

O- The staple of the style. complex in flavor, mouthfeel, nose, and even the appearance is perfect. this is quite a beer. I have to say I'm sold. Huge fan of this.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 00:59:46 | More by irishevans

IntriqKen

California

4.88/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Yet another brewery for Guiness Foreign Extra Stout.
Pours deep black with a two finger off white to tan head of loose bubbles that slowly melts leaving a thick mapping in it's wake.

Aromas are solidly British Stout with burnt malts and a hint of hops with a trademark yeast.

Taste is burnt dark malt with some coffee and chocolate as well as a bit of bitter hops at the end. Very solid and satisfying. Still with the very classic Guinness tastes, smells and feels.

Mouthfeel is substantially creamy and smooth and alcohol is almost completely hidden.

Love this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2007 01:31:29 | More by IntriqKen

ronniebruner

Arizona

4.85/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

If you can find this, do yourself a favor and snatch it up! This varies from the regular Guinness which is brewed in Toronto, Canada. This beer has a sweeter taste, an exceptionally smooth taste, a beautiful white foamy head and an aroma worthy of the most expensive brews. A little hard to find, but worth the chase when you finally catch up with it.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2010 08:30:04 | More by ronniebruner

pkalix

California

4.83/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

deep, dark and menacing at 7.5%.
pours the obligatory dark guinness color with little head, slight spidery lacing and a thin, tan film over the brew.
smells . . . . like guinness, with something to prove....
tastes . . . . like guinness, but with something else in there. alcohol, maybe? (i once had a 'discussion' with someone over the abv of guinness. he was very surprised to learn the 'regular' guinness was a 4.2%). but even at that low level of abv it has mysterious healing properties. walk in to the pub with an ear ache, head ache, or some other pain, and it mysteriously disappears...
mouthfeel... wonderful. after the beautiful aroma that only guinness can provide, the mouth is awash in deep, dark flavors and excited with the extra stimuli. thick, deep, rich. cant session past a couple of these higher-ended abv's, but that's where something lager-like comes in to focus. i know the guinness lager isnt a great brew, but i really like the style. great follow up to this bounty.
overall, i love this stuff. i keep a couple in the frig for whenever i get tired of the same ole, same ole. not for every night. not for anytime. but every once in a while, these are the prescription for what ails ya. maybe try a back of some good whiskey for a great evening home alone . . . . sorry, i'm a loner.... cant give it all 5's - is there anything in the world which really is? (except for freely given, passionate oral gratitude) but this is one of my tops. salud!

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 01:17:44 | More by pkalix

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

4.83/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: poured from an 11.2 oz bottle into a nonic pint glass, dark yellow brown almost black with a dark tan foamy head that dissipates slowly leaving good lacing, clear

S: chocolate, coffee, slight hops, dark roasted malts, slight burnt charcoal smell

T: very hoppy up front with a strong bitter presence, flavors of bitter dark roast coffee and chocolate, finish sweetens with big roasted malt

M: quite heavy and oily, alcohol is subtle but there, low carbonation

O: an excellent export stout if you love the dry burnt quality of Guinness

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 21:27:59 | More by M_C_Hampton

JJKBeerLvr

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Nice dark color with good head. Head was light color.

Smell: Good hop and malt aromas.

Taste: Strong malt flavors, as well as a great balance of hops flavor.

Mouth feel: Medium body, and silky smooth.

Overall: Great stout. The best beer that Guinness makes.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 22:14:54 | More by JJKBeerLvr

bobquick

New York

4.8/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Reminds me of a Russian Imperial Stout more than the "mother's milk" of regular Guinness. Hops it you first with a bitter bite, but the malt keeps it from overwhelming the balance. The alcohol is very present in the mouthfeel and burns a bit on the back of the throat. 7.5 percent. NICE! That's where the RIS confusion comes in. Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 22:39:12 | More by bobquick

knoxtennessee

Tennessee

4.79/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Oh my god.
I've waited 8 years for this beer, and it didn't disappoint.
This thing pours pitch black with a tan head that fades into a long lasting thin tan head. The nose is a big snort of creamy roasty sweet fruitiness. Surprisingly more fruity than anything. Has that classic Guinness funk, but at a little bit higher levels.
The flavor is nice and sweet with the same fruit but also with a load of dark chocolate and dried cherry, finishing roasty and surprisingly dry. The body is thick and luscious without any heavy cloying quality. The finish is slightly acidic and calls you back for more.
Amazing, just absolutely amazing.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 19:35:29 | More by knoxtennessee

Naerhu

Japan

4.78/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Pitch black body with dark tan head.
Aroma: Sweet charred malt aroma.
Taste: Slightly sweet large amounts of elegant bitterness. Alcohol noticeable but only to the degree that it balances the bitterness. More coffee than chocolate, but hugely complex in any case.
Mouthfeel: This is a big boned, super slick beer.
Notes: Although, not the strongest beer in the Guinness line-up (that would be the one for Belgian export at 8%), this is a full strength lovely beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2004 00:10:14 | More by Naerhu

bnes09

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Midnight black and perfectly opaque. Huge whole wheat colored head which will not give up. Forms a silky lace line with every sip. Beautiful.

Big burnt charcoal aroma. Dark, roasted and bold as hell! Creamy hints also. Awesome!

Roasted flavor is powerful with burnt toast and charcoal flavor. Bold coffee and baker's chocolate bitterness. Smoked maple wood and tobacco. Herbal, floral hops are assertive but overpowered by the roasted barley. Delivers a massively bitter palate assault that is actually very satisfying in my opinion. Underlying cherry sweetness mid-drink adds an interesting touch. The creamy lingering finish reminds me I'm drinking Guinness.

Medium to full-bodied with some spritzy carbonation to bring the bitterness to the palate. Creamy mid-drink and dry in the end.

Wow! This is one hell of a stout. Highly complex and delicious. A must try.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2011 01:26:28 | More by bnes09

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

4.78/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours black with a mocha colored head - good retention and some lacing.

Smells of banana, rum, raisin, creme brulee.

Sweet banana, bitter coffee, rum, Burnt sweetness of creme brulee in the back. Finishes dry with raisin notes and slight oaky wine taste. This is an excellent beer full of flavor and none of them are artificial.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 22:46:45 | More by Chickenhawk9932

putnam

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

"6.5% Alcohol. Brewed in Kingston Jamaica. Best By Mar 2007" (oops)

Gorgeous. Like herbal single orgin chocolate. Complete, complex and alluring. On the palate it is quite tart up front, like sinewy vine sap (from hops, I gather). Then this releases its grip to reveal toasty fine bitterness. Throughout there is an effusive display of sweet herbs, pomegranate, black grapes, vanilla and coffee. Winey. Food beer. Perfectly weightless. Unexpectedly refreshing and complex. This is not milquetoast, childish beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2007 19:40:01 | More by putnam

SWMeyer4141

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a Budweiser Pint Glass, don't jugde me...

Appearance-Black body with a 3 finger frothy mocha head. Head slowly dissipates into a thin creamy head and leaves some amazing soapy sticky lacing. Not sure how much better a beer can look.

Smell-Roasted malts. Smells sweet with some dark fruits. Get some light hop aroma as well. Light chocolate and vanilla notes.

Taste-Shockingly complex and absolutely delicous. Huge sweet toffee up front. Followed by some chocolate, vanilla and dark fruits. Then suprisingly I got some citrusy hops at the backend ends with a smooth velvety sweet malty finish.

Mouthfeel-Creamy, Smooth, coats the tongue completely. Medium to Full bodied with perfect carbonation.

Overall-This beer is outstanding. To think that I've had so many Guinness' in my lifetime and never had the foreign extra that's available to me. This is a top notch Stout. Drinkable, Tasty, Complex, and smooth. It's just an outstanding beer, and my biggest suprise of 2011 thus far.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 01:39:20 | More by SWMeyer4141

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Okay, the wait was worth it. I remember inquiring about this at the Foodery in Philly more than 5 years ago and was disappointed to find out that the US didn't get this.

Had the more ubiquitous export stouts: Lion, Dragon, etc. Anyway, this has been the best of the style I've experienced so far.

Nearly flawless pour - coal black, a voluminous mocha-shaded head - lasting, creamy, dimpled - that leaves handsome drapes of lacing - as much as one associates a thick, creamy, dense head with Guinness (Draught) - this may be why I hesitate to give perfect marks to the look (but it's damn close). Moving on, the aroma is surprisingly not as rich the flavor - just lightly bitter/roasty and sweet, yet naturally appealing. My oh my, does this taste and drink wonderfully! The bitterness kicks up a couple notches, though never coming off biting or feeling astringent. There is a light, smooth acidity that lingers from a moderate-strength roasty foundation - but just a soft touch. Instead of chocolate flavors (which I was half expecting), I found subtle vanilla notes, starting in the tail of the middle through the finish. Delightful. Add to all of this some molasses flavors and light viscosity and an almost perfect mid-range degree of body, and this is a thoroughly well-balanced, highly enjoyable export stout - and one of the best no-frills, stronger stouts I've had. Says a lot. Again, worth it.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2010 19:32:12 | More by Bouleboubier

ckollias

Maryland

4.72/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a large snifter glass.

A: Pours a dark pitch-black hue with a thick, dark brown, 4-finger head that slowly dissipates, leaving a great trail down the glass, and ending in a solid persistent lace.

S: Toasted malt aromas with a chocolate and coffee overtones and a hoppy background.

T: Equally sweet and bitter with toasted malt flavor. Chocolate and coffee background with an alcoholic zip and a hoppy finish.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Awesome stout – what every stout should strive to be. Soo smooth and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 01:34:57 | More by ckollias