A taste of… Guinness Extra Stout (Imported)

GUINNESS USA
Dba
North American Breweries
445 Saint Paul Street
Rochester, NY 14605-1726
(585) 546-1030

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Guinness Extra Stout (Imported) was purchased for $2.50(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There was an illegible date code jet-printed near the bottom of the bottle.

One thing more, now pay attention… This bottle of Guinness Extra Stout Traditionally Brewed St. James Gate Dublin is actually brewed and bottled at the Labatt (AB-InBev) brewery in New Brunswick, Canada and distributed by AB-InBev outside of the US while a company called North American Breweries distributes the Canadian made Irish icon in the United States.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of as creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: I could see the light from my Maglite through this deep dark red garnet brew. The head is light café au lait brown composed of medium and large bubbles forming a rocky head and leaving considerable amounts of foam on the sides of the glass.

Aroma: The first impression is a slight anis aroma. The second visit brought out a seaside aromatic and the third nose-dive revealed coco accents.

Flavor: The first flavors are grainy and a touch of sharp hop spike, a lean not harsh first impression. The second sip is creamy with a slight metallic flavor that builds but doesn’t crest. The third swallow shows off the tang of the slightly metallic flavors noted previously but doesn’t really let any of the malt roast come through.

Mouth feel: This poor child is seriously underweight if I am to consider it a stout.

Finish: The metallic flavor carries through for a while and then leaves the pallet drier than when it arrived.

Comments: If this is Irish Stout I will have to credit those Canadian brewers with a good deal of hubris.

Food & Beer: On a hot summer day, just out of the cooler full of bottles and ice, as a quencher while enjoying grilled hamburgers and sausages, this brew would do just fine.


The Brewery: http://www.guinness.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/209/650

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/guinness-extra-stout-north-america/4456/