Guinness Foreign Extra Stout - Guinness Ltd.

NittanyBeerFan

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Thanks to victory4me for sharing one of these with me. Tossed it in as an 'extra' from when he had picked up some other beers for me. Poured into a tulip glass.

The color is darker than Guinness Draught, almost opaque but not quite, with brown hues around the edges. A creamy nitro-like head (typical for Guinness) sits in clumps around the top of the beer after a few minutes. Lacing is spotty and inconsistent.

The aroma is strong with roasted barley notes that contribute a charred character. There are also notes of chocolate, a hint of buttery diacetyl, and some light figgy fruitiness. The flavor emphasizes the almost burnt notes from the roasted barley. Earthy hops augment the bitterness from the charred flavors nicely. There is a touch of sweetness, but it comes in the middle of the palate and is quickly swept away by roasted coffee and more burnt flavors.

A little more substantial in the mouthfeel than I had expected. However, the burnt feel of the malts really borders on astringent. Smooth and medium-to-heavy on the palate, the overall feel is pretty good. However, with the shortcomings in the flavor make it tough to drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 20:21:01 | More by NittanyBeerFan

mikeg67

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

11.2oz bottle. Pours black with a short lived brown head and some lacing. Aroma is of roasted grain, bready malt and some chocolate. Body is full, smooth and oily. Roasted grain, chocolate malt, some dark fruit and a lot of earthy hops fill the mouth. The finish is long and bitter. I can’t say I enjoyed this brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 16:57:41 | More by mikeg67

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: Very dark, almost black; medium head, light brown

Aroma: Sour; musty

Taste: Creamy; bitter; hints of dried fruit

Remarks: Better as it warmed up; but a little too bitter for me. I've always felt Guinness was a bit too thin for the style

Did not score A, T, S, M at that time; disregard those scores

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 13:33:57 | More by IchLiebeBier

zachary80

Indiana

3.23/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

L: Black body, tan head that's a little short, nice lacing 4/5

S: One characteristic smell, a sweet syrupy roasted malt aroma 3/5

T: Really builds on the dry bitterness of the draught. Taste opens up as you drink it. Overall reminds me of their extra stout. Slightly better than average 3.5/5

M: There is a problem with the carbonation, can feel it affecting the taste as it calms down in the mouth. Overall it seems a little heavy and somehow sharp. This really holds the beer back 2/5

D: Mouthfeel harms an otherwise very drinkable beer. Alcohol is unnoticeable 3/5

I haven't had a Foreign/Export Stout before, but this would fall short for a RIS or even a stronger regular American Stout

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 04:21:59 | More by zachary80

bobhits

Kentucky

3.2/5  rDev -22%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Moderate to light brown pour, turns opaque in the glass. Huge head that holds well, has a touch of oil and stickiness to it. Lacing is impressive as well.

Almost sour level of burnt malt, burnt barely and hops mixing. Very piney and earthy hops. A lot of aroma, but not an aroma I'm in love with. Has an almost smoky smell.

Plenty of hops as they said. The burt flavors are pretty limited. They hang around in the back ground never taking control. The barely controls the sweetness and does a good job. It also has all of the burt/chocolate flavors though I have to say they're really subdued. Far more flavorful than anything else they make, but for stouts it's nothing that special.

Drinkable beer without a question. The alcohol is nearly non existent. The body is light enough to drink it. It's pretty easy to drink.

The mouth feel is also solid. Plenty of carbonation. Smooth drinker.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2010 19:11:58 | More by bobhits

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.2/5  rDev -22%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pulled out of a 4-pack at the Boise COOP over the weekend.. paid ~$2.50... poured into my Delerium goblet. 3 finger dark tan head... great lacing and the expected black brew.

Nose is deep and black with some off putting smoke..

Flavor shows the same char... almost a jerky taste that thankfully dissipates quickly ... burnt sugars with plenty of charcoal... tons of roast and some metallic copper notes... pretty astringent.

Lite/medium body with a nice carbonation.. not digging this one at all.

I am really glad Boise got this one in, but I just never ever.... EVER see wanting another bottle.

4/3.5/3/3.5/3

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 07:06:35 | More by JohnGalt1

atr2605

New York

3.2/5  rDev -22%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a deep black color with a nice tan head. Nice head retention as well
S- Caramel, oats, chocolate and a slight olive aroma from the yeast (same yeast smell from original guinness)
T- Roasted malt comes through with more of the olive flavor, and finishes with a sweet caramel/chocolate flavor.
M- Rich body, but not real heavy, with average carbonation. Much more drinkable than I would have anticipated
O- I think it is a nice spin on the original guinness. The extra hops give the beer a little twist. I like the original guinness so I think this is a nice addition. By no means do I think it's ground breaking, but I could still drink a few

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2011 00:18:48 | More by atr2605

HappyHourHero

Indiana

3.18/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I picked this up at a gas station in Negril, Jamaica. Light aroma, sweet cocoa, almost tangy. Dark tan head faded fast to a film. Opaque black colored beer. Burnt malt flavor, a bit of cocoa, and a strange cigarette butt flavor towards the end. Moderately dry and bitter finish. Moderately light body. I don't like the flavor towards the end, the harsh bitter ashy flavor is unappealing. Give me a Dragon Stout.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2005 18:14:57 | More by HappyHourHero

GreenWBush

Oregon

3.18/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Brought back from a bottle shop in London.

Darkened blackened ruby...more so than most Guinness-water we get for here, for sure. Lighter than Nigerian version, though.

Amazing bubbly lace cling, pre-sip. Fresh out-of-oven chocolate cookies, watery alcohol and astringency, intense roast, high and almost piercing weediness. That sourish off-flavor that is so prevalent in Guinness these days. Almost Belgian yeast thing happening.

Taste echoes nose, with emphasis on vinous elements, reediness, metallic hop bitterness, nice sweetness to close.

Better than our crappy Guinness...but not that much better.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2006 19:32:39 | More by GreenWBush

rings

Michigan

3.18/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

As expected, my bottle of mud pours deep and black, with a thin chocolate head that held steady throughout the serving. Without the nitrogen pour, the bubbles were a little bigger, of course, but the lacing was still generous. A little fuller in body, the hoppy bite was noticeable, relative to the standard U.S. Draught version. There's a little alcohol heat and a nice lingering sweetness, balanced by the hoppy bitterness.

While I like this better than the typical draft, Guinness is still a far cry from any number of the HUGE assortments of stouts and porters readily available in nearly any local brewpub or brewery. All in all, while this is a very serviceable quaff, I'd prefer to drink local and fresh.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2011 20:51:49 | More by rings

azdback

Arizona

3.18/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into my Surly pint glass. A deep dark black color, not many highlight other that the very small one I found at the bottom edge of the glass. It was a dark brown color. I can't see the carbonation bubbles but I know they are there because the head is a huge four fingers and a dark mocha color that is very velvety an luscious. The lace is beautiful and sticks in rings all the way to the end.

Smell is European yeast and soggy bread. There are some dark roasted coffee aromas that I can pull out but it is hard to get anything over the dank musty initial smell.

Taste so odd. There are some great dark roasted flavors that get interrupted by this terrible hop bitter. Let it be said that I don't mind some hop flavors in my Stout, but the choice of hop is not my top pick. I understand this is made in Dublin also. I'll stick to America, specifically West Coast.

The mouth is quite unlike the appearance. It does have the bubblyness but feels flat. A bit watery too.

Overall, I must say that I am an American and enjoy beer brewed on this side of the pond. I understand that Guinness is a well respected brand all over the world, I just don't care for this. I know there are a few variations and I will rate them individually as I try them. Thanks to my local purveyor for the sample.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2011 06:07:02 | More by azdback

BierStein711

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a tulip

After having this stout twice, I can say that it is not finding its way into my cellar again. Out of the two styles of Guinness I have had, I shall stick to the draught. The molasses is overpowering, and that was the only flavor I could find in the heavy mouthfeel. Naturally, when someone tries a beer twice one hopes to be more impressed. Overall, I would not endorse this beer to someone who is looking for complexity.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 21:49:00 | More by BierStein711

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.15/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Black with a tan head that is initially thumbs sized & bubbly before settling to half of that size. The retention is about average.

Gives off similar aroma to Guinness Draught but with a stronger smell of coffee and the roasted malts. It isn't as pleasant a smell as the Draught variety it must be said, with the overpowering coffee smell not being to my liking.

A mixture of warm coffee and roasted malts & barley upfront with a long, lingering coffee aftertaste. Again similar to standard Guinness Draught but a lot stronger. You can also detect a taste of alcohol in the background.

Smooth and quite warm on the palate with little evidence of carbonation.

Quite a nice flavoursome beer but one that is far to strong for my liking, especially with the coffee, roasted barley & roasted malts.

1001 Beers to Try Before You Die:
http://abarwithnoname.wordpress.com

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2011 23:57:50 | More by flyingpig

Jayli

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Acquired this from TheManiacalOne so a big THANK YOU goes out to him.
Poured in to a pint glass.

A: This beer pours an opaque deep chocolate brown, boardering on black. A two finger of creamy light brown head sits on top. Head recedes nicely to a film that retains throughout. Coated lacing remains on the glass.

S: Nose is sweet caramel and vanilla, some dark fruits - raisin and dates, and a bit of bitter chocolate.

T: Taste starts with sweet caramel, and vanilla flavoring. Middle is nothing but raisin, date, and a bit of fig notes. Finish has roastiness, bitter chocolate and a citrus hop.

M: Lighter side of medium body, moderate carbonation, somewhat thin and prickly on the tongue with a dry finish.

O: Goes down easily, somewhat tasty, not too filling, decent kick, ok representation of style. Overall, this was an average beer for me, one that I wouldn't seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2011 01:48:41 | More by Jayli

jwhawkins81

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev -24.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Aroma - Surprisingly little aroma. Some light mineral notes but not a lot of nose

Appearance Perfect black with a brown large head that didn't dissipate

Taste - Sharp hop and bitter notes. This had a real surprising punch. Not very smooth at all.

Notes - An interesting stout but nothing special in compariosn to what else is available now. I'll admit this is a poor review I usually do that when I'm indifferent to a beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 15:05:20 | More by jwhawkins81

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.08/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

11.2oz. bottle served in my SA Perfect Pint. Pours the color and clarity of cola with a sudsy, quarter inch tan-colored head embedded with ringlets around the edges. Head eventually settles into a solid skim with some clusters of bubbles around the edges. Some spots and strands of lacing adhered to the sides of the glass during the tasting. Nose reveals a trace of roast and sour lactic acid. Taste expresses char up front, more sour watery lactic acid, a slightly metallic quality and a bitter acrid aftertaste. Mouthfeel is light-medium in consistency, with a lively, slightly prickly carbonation and a subtle creaminess. Well, I have to say that I was a bit disappointed by this bear. I'm a bit more used to some sweetness and a suggestion of fruit in my Foreign/Export Stouts - this was bitter, burnt and acrid. Not something I need to experience again any time soon.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 18:04:43 | More by Jwale73

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

this was a godsend when i was in st. lucia and limited to piton and heineken. i like this version much better than the smaller stuff we get stateside. bigger bodied, bigger taste, bigger mouthfeel. nice roasty finish to provide balance to the dark, sweet, complex malt character. a bit of grainy astringency. why they use fish bladder crap to clarify such a dark beer is my question.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2007 15:48:35 | More by MrMcGibblets

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.05/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Carib it would appear turn their hand to anything and everything. This product is one of their best.

275ml bottle (like all their other beers), best before May 2009, drank June 2008.

Poured into a half-pint tumbler on the hotel balcony. Looked just like a normal Guinness, dark and with a good deep tan head.

The aroma, taste and mouthfeel all seemed overly burnt. Dry and bitter with some caramel trying to be heard in the mix.

Rich, but not creamy, burnt malts ruled the brew and for some could have ruined it too.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2008 19:27:19 | More by BlackHaddock

DerBayer

Germany

3.05/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

I have tried this a couple of times and really want to like it and it s not bad but not great either.

The feel of the beer is very dry - too dry for me but others may like it.

So how is it different to a regular Guiness: Well the Chocolate malt and hops character ius certainly a lot more pronounced and the beer has an above average taste but in all it just fails to impress me.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2010 20:22:14 | More by DerBayer

speter

New Jersey

3.05/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a black-like deep ruby with a nice three-finger fluffy tan head that leaves an impressive amount of lace.

S: Roast barley and lactic acid. The lactic twang is more pronounced here than in the "draught" Guinness, either from the can, bottle, or truly on draft.

T: A nice dry Irish stout with an incredible amount of lactic sourness. The sourness actually manages to knock out the cocoa and coffee flavors you normally get with a good Irish stout.

M: A bit fuller than standard Guinness, but still relatively light. Even at 7.5%, no noticeable warmth.

D: I wouldn't refuse one, but I wouldn't go out of my way for one. At a premium price for a four pack of 11.2 oz bottles, I feel my money's going towards advertising. There are many better local dry stouts that are far better.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2011 02:29:33 | More by speter

Lerxst

Florida

3.03/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A-Pours black with a rocky two finger mocha colored head that has very good retention and leaves copious amounts of lace. Looks darn near perfect.

S-Roasted malt, bitter bakers chocolate, a touch of coffee, a slightly sour note as well.

T-Roasted malt, the bitter chocolate comes through here too, a slightly astringent and sour flavor as well, burnt toast and a hint of espresso.

M-Medium body, relatively low carbonation, seems slightly slick on initial swallow but then the back end finishes dry.

D-The chalky and astringent qualities make this a tough one for me to drink.

I had to try this but won't be buying it again. I'm sure many BA's will love it, but its just not for me.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 20:08:46 | More by Lerxst

gueuzeonhigh

Maine

3.03/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured with a very satisfying presentation-
Dark bible black color, frothy head that laced the glass.

The nose was diminutive- with a hint of hops some malt and perhaps a tinge of coffee.

Flavor was rather thing- I can't explain the hoopla over this beer.
Like it cousin the extra stout this is rather a thin light bodied stout. I'm told that "something happens" to Guinness when it's bottled and sent over "the pond"-- but I've never consider Guinness Extra Stout to be a standard of the brewing art.
And the same goes with the "Foreign"..

It hits me with a waft of bitter hops. But it's curious-- the hops flavor is rather one dimensional-- it's bitter but that's about all I can discern. Soon after realizing I've been assailed by hops bitterness the flavor dissipates and flees the flavor stage leaving a rather thin layer of toasted malt and a hit of coffee behind.

The mouthefeel is cordial-- but nothing that evolks nostalgia pangs in my memory..

Overall this beer is a satisfying brew, but given the option of numerous other Stouts-- I'd pass this particular brew by..

Over all I that it was ho-hum..

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 00:57:43 | More by gueuzeonhigh

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.03/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours black with a finger tall tan head. Good head retention and moderate lacing.

S: Aromas of dark roasted malts and hints of coffee bitterness.

T: Dark malts, roasted malts, coffee bitterness, and a hint of toffee. Good balance.

M: Medium bodied with moderate to high amounts of carbonation. Dry finish.

O: Nice balance of malt sweetness and coffee bitterness. Easy to drink and quite sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 01:25:48 | More by dbrauneis

hoegaardenhero

California

2.98/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

the 640ml bottle says "brewed under license for diageo greater china limited" it also clearly states that alcohol is only 5% but clearly says guinness foreign extra stout on the bottle

a: pours deep brown with large amounts of off-white foamy head; not nitro so no beautiful casacading effect

s: caramel/toffee with hints of burnt coffee flavor; sweet molasses flavors also very present

t: delicious coffee malts with with syrupy sweet barley presence

m: it is a real shame this one is from the bottle since the carbon instead of nitrous makes the beer too syrupy/cloying and not creamy enough

d: this is some weird asian guinness foreign extra that is not as enjoyable as other guinnesses i have enjoyed in the past; too syrupy sweet to have the staying power of its brethren

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2007 11:46:51 | More by hoegaardenhero

alleykatking

Indiana

2.95/5  rDev -28%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from 12oz bottle.

A- Pours a dark black color. One and a half finger light tan head that shows medium retention. Head dies to a cap over the beer. Ringy and spotty lacing left on the glass after each sip.

S- Grainy aromas in the front of this. Some light roasted malts and hints of chocolate throughout the nose. There is a light alomost sourness that clings to the grain like hints. Not the biggest fan of the aroma but as it warms the grains kind of dies out and it smells more like cold coffee.

T- Roasted malts in the front of the beer with a slight sourness. There is a light chocolate note in the middle of this along with a dose of black coffee like flavor. There is a bitterness in the backing of this along with a asprin like ending in this beer. Don't know what to think of the beer flavor wise.

M- Medium mouthfeel. Carbonation is good for the stlye. Big coffee notes left on the palate. Medicinal flavor along with a earthy taste left long into the aftertaste. The flavors are rich and blended kind of well. Roasted grains and chocolate are the dominate flavors. Medium drying on the palate from the alcohol.

D- This beer is ok but I expected a little more than what I tasted. Guinness really isn't my thing and this one just proves it more and more. I didn't mind it but it's not the thing I expected it with all the hype from it.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2010 02:24:34 | More by alleykatking