299: Foreign Extra Stout

Well, hey … what’s that book there? The one on top of my trusty 33 Beers book? It looks similar … but … different. And it’s not just the Guinness Foreign Extra Stout in the ink (but you have a sharp eye, my friend).

I was commissioned by Guinness a few months ago to make a special edition of 33 Beers for the release of Foreign Extra Stout, which has been released to the US market for the first time since prohibition. Ironically, Guinness is best-known around the world for this recipe, not the nitro version most common in American-Irish bars.

The good folks at Guinness have been using the book at beer dinners and events across the country to help walk journalists, bar owners, beer distributors and the like to better understand the unique flavors of this brew. And it is quite unique.

Like most craft beer drinkers, Guinness was one of my first forays into “good beer,” because it represented a taste so different from the Budweiser and Miller Lite I grew up on. It was (and is) so unique in terms of texture (so smooth), color (“black as night, black as coal …”), and of course, flavor. I still enjoy a pint at Biddy’s, the Irish bar down the street from my house, fairly frequently.

But this is a whole different Guinness. Call it the big brother, or the older, wiser cousin. It’s stronger, yes, but also richer in flavor, with some really complex notes, particularly if you let it warm up a bit.

But of course, I’m a little biased, given the business relationship. But I wouldn’t steer you wrong on a beer. Try it.

If you’re interested in a custom 33 Beers or 33 Wines for your brewery/business/club, drop me an e-mail: dave at 33 books dot com.

Beer Name: Foreign Extra Stout
Brewer: Guinness Ltd.
Price: N/A
Sampled: October 26, 2010
Rating: 4/5
Notes: Smells like Guinness- vanilla, caramel and maybe a bit of maple. Tastes sweeter and more warming, with nice burnt sugar/toffee linger. Anise.
ABV: 7.5% abv
IBU: 65 ibu
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Bottle.