Guinness Draught

Guinness Draught

Serving Type: 14.9oz (WTF Guinness...)
Style: Dry Irish Stout
ABV: 4.2%

In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day I thought I'd go ahead and review the most recognizable beer from Ireland. Plus I had a few left from my festivities.

Cracked the can open and almost blasted cold stout all over my hands but some quick thinking with some tissues saved a mess. This brew is really cool to pour, the tan head mixes uninhibitedly with the dark stout color of the liquid to make a very nice khaki color that swirls and dances like a lava lamp. Really cool looking brew.

This stuff smells like a bread factory. Maybe some biscuity notes but this stuff smells like pure nourishing baked grain. Like I could drink nothing but Guinness for a week and be completely nourished and satisfied. The head is about one finger and just stays around forever, a constant reminder of the turmoil caused when the beer was first poured.

Now taste is where I start to lose interest. It just does not taste like I want it to. The flavor seems flat and simple. It almost is like drinking water with some mild sweetness from the malt and maybe the slightest bit of bitter hop flavor. It's like the bubbly violence at the start sapped all the flavor out of this brew. I'm also noticing a slight burnt flavor at the end that doesn't really stay in my mouth too long, and isn't unpleasant.

However, as bland as this brew is, I can see the appeal of drinking this with some mates at the local pub for a long evening, since the ABV isn't too high and it's so bready and nourishing. I've also had some amazing chili that used all guinness as a substitute to water that was the best I've ever had.

Final Grade: B-
-Pretty bland stout that makes up for it's shortcomings somewhat by it's drinkability and interesting bubbly nature. I feel that this recipe with some injected flavor could be really good, maybe some chocolate or stronger malt flavor. I kind of enjoyed drinking it.