Guinness Special Export (Belgian version)

Brewed by St. James’s Gate (Diageo)
Style: Foreign Stout
Dublin, Ireland

Ah I was waiting so long to get this. It did not disappoint. Thank you Drink Store! Had a nice black body with a lasting tan head. Had a nice aroma of roasted coffee. Tasted of roasted coffee and caramel. Very creamy and a little sweet. I also found this to be a good deal more bitter than other guinnesses I’ve had. Was very thick and full-bodied and was also a little fizzy. A winner all-round.

33cl bottle: Very dark brown colour with a thick tan head and excellent lacing. Wow, the aroma is quite strong - heady, sherry-like alcohol mingles with tarry roasted grains. In the flavour, the roasted grain characteristics are pretty much overpowered by warming alcohol and sweet molasses. Reminds me more of bittersweet chocolate than coffee. A little acidity is noticeable. Some might find the alcohol a little too prominent, but I think it’s great.

With incredible thanks to HogTownHarry. Appearance: Pitch black with a small but sturdy tan head. Aroma: Coffee, mild winter fruit, toffee, bitter. Flavour: Tangy coffee, it’s quite prominent and delicious, lots of chocolate, mouthfeel is quite light with a lovely long coffee finish. Lovely.

Bottle ( 330ml ). Shared with garthicus and gregclow. Best before Nov 08. Deep brown-ruby with an average frothy-creamy beige-tan head. Roasty dry caramel aroma, light treacle - sweet and oily. Taste follows, more dry herbal bitterness, still quite oily, moderate alcohol, not as sweet as the aroma. Slick, average body, a bit astringent (oddly), nice carbonation - interesting, quite dry and nutty in the end.

Deep brownish black pour, instantly dissipating head. Hops and branded coffee aroma. Intense hops flavour with hint of coffee, slightly bitter. Ok beer, but not a favorite.

bottle - pours nice and black with a flash of ruby when held to the light. The aroma is fruity with a touch of chocolately caramel and a hint of smoke and soy sauce. The taste is roasted and smoky with a bit of soy sauce which finishes bitter.

Dryer, stronger, less sweet than their FES. Well roasted, burnt, and bitter. Maybe a bit less complex though very similar. Nice.

Bottle. Pours dark ruby, almost black, with a creamy light tan head that lasts a while. Lactic, creamy nose has notes of roasted malt, caramel and chocolate. The flavour follows accordingly with a mild hint of coffee. Very smooth, creamy mouthfeel with moderate carbonation and a dry, bitter finish with the faintest hint of creamy sweetness. Very nice export stout from Guinness, smoother and creamier than the 7.5% version, but also possibly less complex.