Guinness Draught - Guinness Ltd.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

2.55/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Two tastes - weak coffee and bitter beer. Drink it straight from the bottle is the motto. However the best we can say is its coffee appearance and huge creamy head that stays there. OK to drink if you're drinking something after to take away the taste.

Serving type: can

09-15-2008 15:55:44 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

1.88/5  rDev -45.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Despite the fact that the plastic label beseeches me to 'drink straight from the bottle' and to 'serve extra cold', I will do neither. This will be at my beer fridge temperature of 50 degrees and will be poured into a nonick pint glass. I don't take orders from beer bottles. I'm also chagrined to discover that it checks in at less than 10 carbs (9.9 to be exact). That is what is commonly known as a red flag.

I get the usual nitro cascade effect on the pour, though it seems to be less impressive than what I see from the average nitro can. When the show is over--no more than 15 seconds--I'm left with an opaque, dark brown liquid crowned by a slim finger of heavily creamy, grayish brown foam. The nose is meek and is of roasted malt, chocolate and coffee in roughly equal proportions. Not bad, not great.

Guinness Draught tastes like watered-down Guinness Extra Stout. I mean that literally. It seems less like a weak stout (that was brewed as such) and more like water was added before bottling. What flavor I can discern is of lightly roasted dark malt and weak iced coffee with very little chocolatiness at all. The finish is nonexistent because there's very little flavor to begin with. The body/mouthfeel is, again, watery in the extreme.

Guinness Draught is one of the wimpiest stouts that I've ever had. It challenges my taste buds about as much as kindergarten final exams would challenge my intellect. It may have been a slightly better experience if I had sampled it straight from the bottle, but any beer that has to rely on a gimmick such as that gets no respect from me. This is a beer that doesn't deserve to be taken seriously. Next.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

08-19-2004 20:45:38 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

2.6/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

My first nitro bottle, ehh is all I have to say. Poured fantastically, if you have never seen it you must, the cascade is just gorgeous. A very slight roasted malt, but that is about it. The taste is just flat to me. I am spoiled maybe by the good stouts that I can find, but this is just bland. No real presence, too oily and not enough character. The presentation is beautiful, but looks can be decieving.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

02-18-2007 03:09:29 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

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

One of the roommates bought beer, and this is what he brought home. I didn't want to be rude, so I had one.

A: This really is a nice looking pour. Dark brown, bordering on black with that patented creamy mocha colored head.

S: Very thin and watery on the nose. I pick up a few hints of roasted malt and maybe some chocolate.

T: Not too much better than the nose. A bit of roasted malt flavor and maybe a touch of chocolate and coffee, but overall it's very bland.

M: I do enjoy the creamy feel the nitro gives. Unfortunately, it seems to (have helped to) kill the rest of the beer.

D: This is really disappointing. I recall early on in my drinking days when Guinness was a fairly enjoyable beer, but it seems to have gone the way of so many other mass produced items.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

01-05-2010 02:42:25 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.95/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to gr8134 for this can. Served in a wine glass.

Pours dark brown with a white head. Fairly dark, but much lighter than the Foreign Export Stout, which we tried this side-by-side with. The head on this one is quite creamy. From there, it goes a bit downhill and this isn't a particularly-memorable beer. There is a bit of mild roast and very, very faint dark chocolate in the nose, but that's about it. The taste is really mild and creamy--roast, light chocolate, and the tiniest touch of malt sweetness. Feel is light and creamy. Just an okay beer. This really seems to be all about texture and not big on flavor.

Serving type: nitro-can

12-29-2010 13:59:40 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.05/5  rDev -40.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Appearance: Dark brown body with a dense cream-colored head.

Smell: Exceedingly mild, plain aroma of creamy roasted barley.

Taste: Very vague overall taste with only a mild coffee-like bitterness. From the first sip to the last there's just very little to offer here.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Mild carbonation. Joyless, watery texture.

Drinkability: Perhaps the widget-bottle isn't the way to go, 'cause this beer lacks any sort of distinct characteristics and comes across as watery and uninteresting.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

12-02-2007 21:01:18 | More by ChainGangGuy

UCLABrewN84

California

2.95/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at BJ's in Valencia, CA.

Pours an opaque black with a 1 inch dense foamy tan head that fades to a small cap. Thick and sticky ring lacing on the drink down. Smell is not impressive with watery dark malt and stale coffee. Tastes of roasted malt and watery coffee. Very thick and creamy mouthfeel. Overall, I wouldn't drink this very often. I guess I sort of was obligated to try it on tap for St. Patrick's Day.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-18-2011 04:51:40 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Nitro can: Poured a dark black beer with a nice foamy head with ultra long retention due to the nitro ball. Aroma and taste are quite dry and bitter with notes of roasted malts also being very present. Aftertaste is a bit too watery for my liking but overall I think this is a classic and pretty decent classic drink.

Serving type: nitro-can

06-04-2004 14:32:14 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.18/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First time in a long time. Trying this brew on draught is one of the most classic and endearing moments in beer. The look of the nitro-carbonation sheading the beer and floating to the top is something special. The head retention is basically a milk shake for stout lovers. Slight aromas of roasted grains, chalkiness, and mild souring. Flavors and moderate and firm, ranging from charcoal, roasted grains, mild lactose, and and underlying sweet maltiness. The feel of this beer is always supurb. Full and creamy, then thinning into a powdery, soft finish. Quite dry and fleeting in the aftertaste. It's the taste that defined the style. How can it be anything but great?

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-14-2006 21:18:37 | More by BEERchitect

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Typical Guinness in a bottle with a widget rather than can. I don't really get it. It's in the bottle so you can drink it out of the bottle, right? Since when did it become so hard to find glassware? Hell, a plastic pint glass will do. But I guess this is all about show. In any case, I found it no different from the canned version. I didn't think the widget did as good a job, but that was with a single pour with just a few pauses along the way.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

12-26-2006 20:13:22 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Guinness tulip glass.

Pours into a frothy, auburn maelstrom that settles via cascade into a very dark brown, nearly black body with about a finger's worth of tan head that laces very nicely. There isn't much to the smell, only small bits of oats, malts, coffee, and sugar, all very faint. The taste delivers a solid amount of dark grains, with phases of milkiness and that trademark Guinness half-sour at the back. The body is near the top of the moderate scale, and is extremely smooth, leading to a highly drinkable brew. One of my favorite widely-distributed brews!

Serving type: nitro-bottle

02-16-2010 18:03:39 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

2.85/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pouring the contents of this unique, innovative bottle creates the mythical creamy head and the magical flowing cascade, so favored in the pubs. Or is it just a cheap imitation?
Aroma nicely hints at coffee and cream, and a touch of chocolate, rich and luscious. Small amounts of bitterness,but exceptionally smooth on the tongue. Light body, thin texture, and far too soft for my taste.
It took me a while to understand the supreme appeal of Draught Guinness, for the Extra Stout was my bottle of choice in early days. I did a taste test between the two, and ultimately found that the draught version resembles a chocolate milkshake, or a mocha latte. It's for people who want to go beyond fizzy lagers and such, but don't really want to approach the bold flavors and bitterness in a true stout or porter.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

03-31-2003 11:56:51 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

3.78/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a deep black color with a thick tan head. The aroma is good. It is full of black and rosted malts. The taste is decent. It is light tasting for a full bodied beer. It has roasted and black malt flavor with a bit of a watery finish. It is refreshing. The mouthfeel is good. It is a full bodied beer with good carbonation. This is the first stout I've ever had. It drinks well, but is far from the best out there. It is a good starter stout for first time BA's.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2004 01:43:24 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

"My goodness, my Guinness!"

Beer served on nitro-tap at some sports bar. I've had this beer so many times, reviewing it seems odd, but here I go. It is also one of the most popular beers and recognizable, what could I possibly say about that hasn't already been said.

Beer is dark black / brown. Nitrogenation cascades inside of the beer, forming these iterative and repetitive waves of tiny brown bubbles that are pushed down on the edge of the glass to be pushed back up in the center of the beer, forming a tight, creamy head of tiny tiny bubbles. Lacing is about as high as it can be. The glass is completely coated in bubbles as I drink the beer down.

Beer has a subtle aroma of roast and sweetness. The head almost protects the aroma from detection, but as you drink it you can definitely smell a lot of sweetness and some malt.

Beer is smooth, one of the smoothest creamiest beers I've ever drank. Drinkability is high. This is a really sessionable beer. I could drink this all night long. There is mild bitterness and some nice subtle roast character. Some chocolate like flavors and a great medium body. Drinkability is high and mouthfeel is good.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-01-2009 18:44:24 | More by drabmuh

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

zeff80

Missouri

3.6/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured a deep, dark, brown color with a creamy/foamy, small, tan head that left small traces of lace.

S - It smelled of coffee, chocolate and caramel.

T - A nice bittersweet blend of sweetness from the chocolate and caramel with the bitter kick from oatmeal and some hops.

M - It is soft, smooth and creamy. A light to medium-bodied beer.

D - I've had this from a can and bottle, but it is always best on tap. It is the choice at restaurants than just feature BMC.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2008 19:37:25 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.45/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is very dark amber (approaching near black) in color and poured with a finger high creamy beige head that died down but has excellent properties and consistently covered the surface. Watching the cascading bubbles after the initial pour is always a spectacle.
S: There are faint aromas of roasted malts in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste isn't very strong but has flavors of roasted malts along with some hints of chocolate and coffee. Hints of bitterness are present in the finish.
M: It feels light-bodied, creamy and smooth on the palate. There is some dryness in the finish.
D: This beer goes down very easily and is very sessionable, especially considering its low alcohol content.

Serving type: nitro-can

03-17-2011 02:58:04 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

2.5/5  rDev -28%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

This is the nitro bottle version. Very smooth tasting almost creamy, a bit of roastiness. Overall very clean and not too exciting. Carbonation is very low, and in this beer makes it seem a bit too thin. Much better versions of Guiinness exist, the Belgian version is awesome.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

09-11-2003 15:52:29 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

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

Poured from an 11.2oz. nitro-bottle into a flute glass.

A: After the beautiful cascade of bubbles subsides, the beer is a pitch black color with a very dense off-white head that fades at extremely slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of creamy chocolate and roasted malt and overall it’s a little stronger than most beers that I’ve had in the style.

T: I typically don’t use the same words to describe a beer’s taste as I do a beer’s smell, but as I sip the beer, creamy chocolate and roasted malt are the first words that come to mind. There’s a little bit of smokiness to it and although there’s a little bit more flavor than other beers that I’ve had in the style, the taste just seems weak overall.

M: Very smooth, heavy body, light carbonation, finish is dry but a little bit sticky.

D: Within the style this beer is tasty, but it’s not a style that I favor. It goes down very easily which has caused this beer to gain so much appeal. I used to think that I couldn’t handle this beer, but after having tried a wide range of high ABV beers and knowing that this beer has the ABV of a Light Lager, I now realize that I simply don’t like it. Having said that, I still appreciate the quality of this beer with respect to its style.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

02-01-2007 07:14:40 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.4/5  rDev -2%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured almost black with a supertight offwhite head 1" deep. Great head rentention and lacing

Some graininess and maltiness in the smell. Not much else

Taste: graininess, bitterness and dryness on the finish

MF: Silky and good carbonation levels

Drinkable enough, just lacks the depth of the export, other in-country competetitors or numerous clones inspired by the "original"

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2006 03:09:24 | More by russpowell

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +11%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Guinness was my first beer, it has a very special place in my heart. It has always been my go to drink at a bar if nothing else is worthy of my time or money. I love the surge the beer has, I love how it looks like chocolate milk while pouring and fades into a very dark brownish black color. It's the smoothest texture with a very nice roasted flavor. I'll admit it's a little bit on the watery side and it's not thick at all but it still has a good quality to it for anytime of year or place.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2011 18:00:25 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

3.3/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 4.5

14.9 oz. nitro-can with widget, also a nitro bottle or two when out,

A: Black, with ruby highlights if held up to the light. Creamy, off-white, almost tan head. A pint of the black stuff, or the priest, looks as good as ever, enjoyable to watch it settle over a minute or so.

S: Hints of roastiness, chocolates, and smoke, not very substantial, but enjoyable.

T: Roasted malts, coffee, and dark chocolate.

M: Light-bodied, thin, a little too watery for my tastes.

D: Guinness Draught is a classic, very drinkable due to its lightness and easily a session beer. I would have liked to have seen and experienced it in days past when it wasn't so processed. Much better in the nitro-can, so go for that.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

06-28-2007 05:48:39 | More by Halcyondays

emerge077

Illinois

2.58/5  rDev -25.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Another ubiquitous macro beer, one of the first I can remember drinking all those years ago. More for the novelty of the nitro can, nowadays bottled Guinness doesn't pass muster.

Poured into a tulip glass, the color is a dark reddish brown, and black in the glass. The foam only cascades momentarily, unlike the super slo-mo version from the nitro can. It's tan foam has a creamy texture and good retention, minor arcs of lacing are left behind in the glass.

Smells a bit dull, wet barley and roasted grains, old coffee.

Tastes similarly weak, roasted barley and cardboard, folgers, vague ashy note in the aftertaste. Watery feel, bland with a lower level of carbonation. Seems to be a mere shell of its former self, or maybe the added nitrogen adds something, and without it there's just not much substance.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 21:40:36 | More by emerge077

Gavage

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

The pour is the best part of this beer. The wait - watching your beer "build" into shape is great stuff. Its black in color with a thin tan head. Lacing through the drink. The aroma isn't as exciting as some roasted malts are detected and not much else.

The taste is mellow and not overly exciting for a stout, but it is pleasant. The roasted malt is most notible. Very creamy and smooth mouthfeel. The body is thin for a stout, but this make this a great session beer if there are no other good beers on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2003 12:13:26 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

2.75/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 1 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The best part of Guinness, as I said in other reviews is the appearance and the drinkability.
I drank a bottle after having it on tap and in a can.
This was awful because it instructs you to drink straight from the bottle. This gets rid of half the goodness of guinness right off the bat....What appearance?
It was not as creamy and not as drinkable.
Avoid the bottle. The tap is still the best. The can is nearly as good. The bottle is not worth it.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

05-06-2006 04:46:50 | More by jwc215