Guinness Draught - Guinness Ltd.

Mavigo

Michigan

3.15/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Cracked open three of these suckers and poured them in my 1L stein for a thorough review.

A: Pours a deep dark brown, almost black color with a 1/4 inch tan head with medium amounts of lacing.

S: Smells water like watered down coffee, hints of oats, barley, grains, cream

T: Well this is disappointing, lacking the robustness that I expect from a stout, to me it's like water downed cheap coffee, limited flavors no complexity, it's not horrible but its not good either.

M: Carbonation is lower, so is the flavor, medium bodied, it's kind of thick, just has no flavor

O: Well this might be one of the worst stouts I've ever had. That's not to say this is horrible, it's ok but I'm used to stouts being rich and complex, not like this. I wouldn't have this again.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

04-19-2013 20:56:09 | More by Mavigo

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.2/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

From notes.

Appearance: Black but ruby red when held up to the light. Classic fluffy nitro-head which is light brown in color.

Aroma: Very light. Slight sweetness and a hint of molasses.

Taste: Despite the black appearance, Guinness is very light on taste. Hints of roasted chocolate and some dark coffee bitterness on the finish. A bit of a 'soy sauce' flavor. Not much to the palate, just a nice light stout.

Mouthfeel: Between thin and medium in body. Ever so smooth and creamy. High drinkability.

Final Thoughts: Guinness Draught is basically the classic session ale. However, without the nitrogen widget it would probably not be as popular. Would I drink it again? Yes, it's a classic that almost every non craft beer bar has on hand.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

03-07-2013 00:03:00 | More by JamesMN

DavidST

Texas

3.8/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

As often as I've had this, I'm surprised to realize that I've never reviewed it. Bucking the ice cold method this is sometimes served, I've left the bottle out for an hour to get a little more warm.

This is poured from a 33cl bottle into a Guinness mug, coded bottled date. This pours a nice black color with a large foamy mocha colored head (far larger than I'm used to on nitro bottles, perhaps this is due to removing the nitro widget). This has an extremely long retention time and leaves a lacing everywhere it touches. The smells are of dark roasted malts and a hint of the Guinness burnt smells. The feel is medium to thick and creamy. More warm this is better, the taste is light but smooth and easy to drink, you get the dark roasted malts, and a little burnt malt bitterness, more subtle than the traditional guinness. Not the greatest beer in the world but a great session one and I often order it with my meal.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

12-31-2012 01:21:28 | More by DavidST

MadCat

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours pitch black with thick tan head that stays around, leaving good lacing

Smell: Roasty malts with some caramel notes

Taste: Dry roasty malts, bitter hops, with a little bit of a cloying sweetness in the back. Coffee and chocolate flavors

Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy, and thick

Overall: This is a classic. May not be the best stout, but it is a good staple that can be found many places. Overall a favorite of mine.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

10-26-2012 00:00:43 | More by MadCat

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Time to review Guinness Draught. Cracked open a nitro-bottle and now pouring it into a pint glass.

Cascading 'head effect' on the pour. That's what I wanted. Extremely dark brown to black. Looked dark brown out of the bottleneck. Bone-colored head stays for good. Excellent retention. A mark of rich proteins in this beer. 4.5

Dark roasted malts with higher bitterness levels. Not a whole lot else. Thought I might have smelled hops, but I could definitely be wrong. There is a minute fruit character, but it gets lost in the mix. Might be because the bottle is not entirely fresh. 3.0

Watery flavors of roasted grains, sod, wet log, and dried clay. Like sucking on a stone. Offers some minerally/metallic elements with moments of sharp, astringent bitterness and an effect of acidity without the flavor. Far-off voice in the distance whispers black coffee, but to tiny reception. But, hey, those roasted grains are the talk of the town, right? 3.0

Creamy as hell, despite a thin body. Light carbonation with the bottle widget in full-effect makes the rabbit come out of the hat, so to speak. Let's face it, Guinness Draught is all about the mouthfeel. 4.0

A simple, Humpty-Dumpty Irish Dry Stout with loads of character, but not many can explain why. A beer to drink and enjoy drinking for those who don't give two hoots about the style or the historical butchering of the recipe over the years. A beer to scoff at for those who have had better dry stouts. Tough to love for those who have had North Coast Old #38, Victory Donnybrook, Beamish, or Murphy's. Tough love is God's love, I suppose. And, for a man who has had all of the aforementioned brews, I can only exclaim "My Goodness, My Guinness!". C'mon, if you don't know what this is, you've got no business venturing off into the better options out there. Guinness IS Irish Dry Stout. Guinness IS the import on nitro. Guinness IS a classic. But, the truth is, Guinness is nothing special, and certainly not worth the $5 a pint some bars charge. It's a one-and-done-and-thank-you with a smile, or a fall-back and nothing else. When in doubt, have a Guinness. 3.5

Serving type: nitro-bottle

05-04-2012 04:15:55 | More by thecheapies

Swim424

Florida

3.28/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured into a bells pint glass

A-Awesome as always. Pours a dark black with the Brown falling head that foams into the nice creamy white thick head that stays with you the whole time you drink it. Leaves a nice residue as well.

S-lacking in this department. Smells like bland coffee, and bland oatmeal. I feel like there is real potential here but it hasn't quite reached it.

T-Again very bland, with potential but just doesn't get there. Has a hint of water-downed coffee and oatmeal, with maybe a hint of something else I cant describe.

Mf-very smooth and creamy. Nothing exceptional but very nice.

O-This is a very average stout. This is one I can almost always count on any bar having and is never bad. Also great when you don't want anything to overpowering but still want the stout experience. I feel like guinness could really add some more flavor and maybe less water and this one would be significantly better.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

03-19-2012 05:30:31 | More by Swim424

aranheaney

New York

2.98/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Enjoyed on St. Patty's Day at the Letchworth Pines in beautiful Portageville at my 6 yr. olds birthday party...

Consumed directly from the bottle as per Diageo's instructions in the previous e-mail.

A-nonexistent

S-almost nothing

T-meh, sorry, so much better on tap

M-some creaaminess

O-I'll stick to this when its on tap

Serving type: nitro-bottle

03-18-2012 01:37:37 | More by aranheaney

Acho

Spain

3.43/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A black opaque liquid topped by a small beige head that leaves some specks of lacing.
A quite good roasted smell that has some coffee to it. The taste also has some of the roastiness maybe some chocolate, but the mouthfeel is very bland for a 'black' beer, even bland for the Spanish average, quite watery if I may.

Overall a good appearence and smell but not well rounded with all that watery sensation.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

02-16-2012 20:26:55 | More by Acho

UDbeernut

New York

3/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

nitro bottle into a pint glass. Deep amber with purple on the edges, minimal tan head with little retnetion. Nose is bland, maybe some light roast. Taste is black coffee roastiness with slight very faint flower. A bit of chalk. Mouth is light bodied and deffiantly sessionable. Overall, not completly horrific when confronted with only BMC competitors.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

01-28-2012 23:39:59 | More by UDbeernut

BlurryVisi0n

New York

2.93/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured unto a nonic glass.

Appearance: Do I really need to let you know?, pours an an almost opaque brown, tan head coming off the body roughly a full inch to an inch and change.

Smell: You know what nothing smells like, that's what Guinness Draught does to you.

Taste: No it's not average, it is the beer that originally changed my direction when I started my beer adventures.

Mouth: This is the definition of light carbonation, whether tap, bottle or can and personally I don't think it helps it. It is definitely an acquired liking to this beer.

Overall: I thank you Guinness, I was first introduced this back in high school in the late 90's and will never forget my first glass. This beer is smooth and easy to love, but compared to what else is out on the market it is mediocre at best, but compared to who makes a better "Irish Dry Stout" don't bother looking else where. Salud!

Serving type: nitro-bottle

01-26-2012 07:14:31 | More by BlurryVisi0n

AmericanGothic

Iowa

3.13/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz nitro-bottle into a Sam Adams pint.

A: Pours a dark, mahogany color with 1/2 finger of pale khaki head. Good retention but little lace.

S: Roasted malt. Not bad, but pretty timid.

T: Roasted malt up front, but no finish to speak of. Really not enough oomph for a stout, more like a dark mild.

M: Too light for a stout. Just average.

O: A lackluster beer. It seems to be "Guinness for people who don't really like stout." I guess I would drink it again if that's all that was available, but it's not something I would seek out.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

01-14-2012 01:09:25 | More by AmericanGothic

whendeathsleeps

Indiana

3.68/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours black, two finger tan head. Great retention, great lacing.

S- Coffee, chocolatey, smokey, a little creamy, light in smell in general.

T- An easy drinking palatable stout, the usual roasted coffee and chocolate notes, bready malt.

M- Thick creamy head, the body is a little thin, light carbonation, smooth, dry refreshing finish.

O- Not complex by any means, still any enjoyable beer and a great intro for those wanting to try a stout. When you do step up, try a Siberian Night Imperial by Thirsty Dog, it's an excellent beer.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

01-02-2012 20:38:36 | More by whendeathsleeps

JizackFH

New York

2.2/5  rDev -36.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Found this beer review in some of my old beer notes.

This beer pours a dark brown color with some ruby hues. There is a big creamy 2-finger off-white head resting on top. The head has incredible retention, and it leaves behind a big coating of lace on the glass. The nose is pretty light. There are some weak notes of chocolate and coffee, as well as some nuttiness. There really isn't much going on here. The taste starts off with some light roasted malts, and some faint notes of black coffee and a touch of chocolate. There is some burnt bitterness and a bit of a metallic taste. This is just a pretty weak flavor overall. This has a pretty light body, especially for a stout, and creamy carbonation. There is some bitterness and some sweetness as well. I think the creamy layer of foam on top is the only thing that saved the mouthfeel. The drinkability here isn't so good. It goes down really easy, but it is definitely lacking in the taste and smell. There just isn't much going on, and the flavors and aromas seem quite muted. I really just expect a whole lot more in a stout. This beer just really isn't worth the money. You can get a much better 6-pack of a nice craft stout for the same amount of money. I recommend going the second route.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

12-05-2011 14:38:49 | More by JizackFH

jisom123

Indiana

2.68/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer is the primary reason that people incorrectly associate "Dark colored" beers as "Heavy".

I don't know how many times I've head "It's too dark; I won't like it." When asked why, they always blame Guinness.

O: Smooth refreshing Dry stout with a very predictable taste.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

09-08-2011 22:11:39 | More by jisom123

sommersb

Tennessee

3.2/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Tasted On: 09-05-2011
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 11.2 oz. nitro bottle
Glassware: Tulip pint
Purchased: Gift from a neighbor

This one was brewed in Dublin according to the bottle.

A: Tan, creamy head of 2 fingers sits on a black beer. There's a little bit of clarity revealing brown-red highlight on the edges of the glass. The head has good retention and lacing.

S: Clean aromas feature toasted malts, dark bread and chocolate.

T: Taste is pretty much all of roasted barley, that has a kind of burnt character which is a bit harsh, as in the bitterness of coffee.

M: Body is light-to-medium and carbonation seems low, possibly due to the nitrogen content. Finish is dry, with the roasted coffee flavors lingering.

O: Overall an OK beer.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

09-05-2011 23:27:31 | More by sommersb

tdm168

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep, dark brownish black with a reddish hue. There's about 1/2" of head with great retention. Smells of roasted malts. Tastes of roasted malts with a smokiness to it. There's also just a hint of chocolate. Mouthfeel is rather light, thin, and flat, but smooth.

I'm not a huge fan of this classic. I like the other stout offerings from Guinness better.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

08-13-2011 21:58:07 | More by tdm168

Mora2000

Texas

3.28/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

The beer pours a dark brown to black color with a tan head. The aroma is dry, light roasted malt and chocolate. The flavor is roasted malt and some chocolate, as well as a little bit of dark fruit. The mouthfeel is where I really have a problem with the beer. I am not a fan of nitro beers, which almost always taste watered down to me. The mouthfeel is thin to medium.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

07-28-2011 02:46:17 | More by Mora2000

spitInTheOcean

Michigan

3.7/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

smell is mild. smells of roasted barley, but also a corn-like sweetness.

jet black color. opaque. tan-brown, thick, long lasting head.

tastes like roasted malts, an acidic sourness. thats about it. big roasty malt flavor. there is also a very subtle hop bitterness in the finish. the flavor of roasted malts lingers on the palate long after the finish.

this is a very soft beer with low carbonation, and the nitrogen does lend it some creaminess. overall though this beer is thin.

overall i know my scores suggest i like this beer, but i dont think i do. i buy and drink it because everyone i know likes this beer. i think its light. a stout should not be sessionable. thats just my opinion. and what is more sessionable than 4.2% abv? i say a stout should be a meal in a glass. the old liquid bread. this is not liquid bread.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

07-25-2011 03:09:08 | More by spitInTheOcean

DarthKostrizer

California

4.2/5  rDev +21%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Look: Dark brown with reddish rings around the edges. Beautiful almost 1 inch tan head has amazing retention and beautiful lace. I still believe in all my years of drinking that this is the most beautiful beer I have ever seen

Smell: Roasted malt and coffee upfront with bitter chocolate on the finish

Taste: Pretty much the same as the nose. Roasted malt and coffee notes upfront. Flavors fade pretty quickly but leave a hint of bitter chocolate on the finish

Mouthfeel: wonderful buttery smoothness quality to it. Full body and light carbonation

Overall: This is still my go to beer when I dont feel like spendy a bunch of money on beer. I absolutely love this piece

Serving type: nitro-bottle

07-17-2011 03:42:01 | More by DarthKostrizer

tito42

Missouri

3.45/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from new widget-less nitro bottle to an imperial pint, even though the label says to enjoy straight from the bottle. No freshness date.

A: Nearly black in color, a very dark cola color with a thick, foamy cocoa head. Great retention and lacing.

S: Roasted barley and coffee, a little weak in the nose.

T: Roasted and bitter barley with a slight coffee flavor and a hint of cola. Lightly hopped, clean finish.

M: Against its reputation in the States, it has a light-medium body that is creamy up front, a tad watery in the middle, and finishes smooth. More true to the style description than its legend.

O: This is a solid Irish Dry Stout. It's better in the nitro can, and I prefer the Extra Stout over the Draught (would love to try the Foreign Extra someday). Not a complex beer, but very drinkable. This was the first "dark beer" I ever drank on a semi-regular basis. There are many stouts I would prefer, but this is a classic.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

07-09-2011 02:28:49 | More by tito42

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark chestnut brown that appears pitch black and opaque in the glass with a 1.5 finger creamy off-white head that slowly settles into a thick lasting ring. Large chunks of soapy lacing are left behind.

Roasted malt aroma with hints of toffee, chocolate, caramel and lactic cream. Slightly toasty but this beer really smells like sweet water until it warms up quite a bit and the malt notes emerge.

Medium bodied with a creamy texture from the nitro. I'm usually not a fan of this characteristic because it's really artificial but it somehow works with Guinness. Again, as in the aroma, the beer is really boring and watery until it warms a bit. Too often this beer is served at 35 degrees and loses all of it's flavor. When it warms it's pretty nice with a decent amour of dry, roasted malt. Hints of chocolate, toffee, nut and caramel complimented by the creamy lactic feel/flavor. Dry finish. Not the best of the style but underrated, possibly because of it's popularity.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

07-04-2011 21:57:23 | More by corby112

kylehay2004

Florida

4/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I have had the honor of having this beer at the Guninness factory in Dublin. My review is not based on this particular tasting however it is one of the first beers I tried and the one that got me turned on to beer as prior to, the beers of the college ranks had turned me off to them.

The beer is black but some light still gets through. The milky, brownish head leaves a lacing and remains for much of the experience. The aroma is of roasted malt which certainly becomes much more apparent with the tasting. Caramel malts as well as a chocolate taste is appreciated as well. The mouth feel is smooth with medium body.

Overall this is a very good beer. I think it is best tasting on tap. I will often order this beer when out as it is one of the few regulars at multiple places I frequent on the weekends.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

06-28-2011 15:37:41 | More by kylehay2004

DoubleSimcoe

New York

2.65/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

My first nitro-bottle! Curious about the serving type... have had a nitro-can before (Young's Double Chocolate Stout) and enjoyed it very much.

This Guinness is -unlike most of the Guinness products you'll find in the US- brewed in St James's Gate and not in Canada.

Appearance: Classic nitro pour, but not as impressive as on draft or as the Young's can I had, with the super creamy head and exuberant foam. This is much more mellow, with only one finger of head and not a lot of lacing. Head does remain throughout, though, as expected. Color is black and then some, coal mine in Wales.

Smell: Underwhelming. Powdered milk, some mildly bitter coffee and vague roastiness, plus a nice sugar touch.

Taste: Mostly water, with a much-appreciated soft bitterness all around the mouth and... that's about it. Some molasses/simple syrup. Oddly enough, a tad of honey and burning paper at the very end, which adds about the only real point of excitement here.

Mouthfeel: Blah.Easily the saddest Guinness I've ever had. It's got none of the great creamy-smoothness you expect. Watery, thin, doesn't feel nitro.

Overall: Of course, it drinks great. But it is way too boring. Also, I do not understand why the brewery says to "serve extra cold"? This beer tastes better when it warms up!

A good choice if you're at a bar that has nothing else of note. Of all the Guinness versions I have tried, though, this is probably the less appealing. I would skip the nitro-bottle and go for a glass bottle, can or -best of all- draft.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

06-26-2011 04:54:41 | More by DoubleSimcoe

mjyoung

California

3.33/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Drank 12/23/10.

A: Dark brown, with a thick foamy head with some very nice foamy residue on the sides of the glass. The body looks a bit like coke though.

S: Smells like malty chocolate. A pleasant but simple smell with no depth.

T: Simple chocolate with a hint of fruit and no malt.

M: Watery feel, finely carbonated. The carbonation comes across as perfect but it's definitely a tad weak.

O: Very smooth. It goes down quite well and the relatively low ABV makes it easy to drink. I like it, but a lot of the overall grade comes from the mystique of the name...

Serving type: nitro-bottle

06-23-2011 18:25:06 | More by mjyoung

Sneers

New York

2.13/5  rDev -38.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I'm breaking Guinness's directions here and pouring out this one.

Guinness Draught pours black, but is revealed to be a reddish-brown hue when held up to the light. The head is thick, frothy and tan.

Insofar as the aroma is concerned, it doesn't seem like it would make much of a difference if I had consumed this straight from the bottle. It is faint, with slight acrid and roasted notes.

The taste, too, is pretty bland. There's a burnt flavor with some accompanying bitterness, but frankly little else. Things get a little better as it warms up; it gets a tiny bit of sweetness, and a little more of the classic stout roastiness. That said, it still might just bump things up to a 2.5.

The mouthfeel has low carbonation and is medium-thin.

Not being any particular enthusiast of Irish dry stouts, I recognize that I may, on the one hand, be biased towards sweeter non-Irish stouts. On the other hand, I'm not enjoying this beer, and it certainly doesn't compare with the few other Irish dry stouts I've had. I don't recommend this beer. If you're in the mood for a Guinness, go for the Extra (Original).

Serving type: nitro-bottle

06-15-2011 04:16:29 | More by Sneers