For the first time since prohibition, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, is available in the United States. Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, originally known as West India Porter, dates back to 1801, when it was first brewed at St. James’s Gate brewery in Dublin. Guinness FES is brewed with extra hops, giving it a more intense flavor. These extra hops also act as a natural preservative, allowing it to survive long journeys overseas. FES enabled Guinness to be shipped around the world. Guinness Foreign Extra Stout made its first debut in the U.S. in 1817. Export to the U.S. was discontinued during prohibition. So, what took so long?
Guinness FES is carbonated unlike the nitrogenated Guinness Draught and is 7.5% ABV, twice that of the Draught us Americans are used too. It is also what a lot of the world know as Guinness, as Foreign Extra Stout, makes up 45% of Guinness sales globally.
You pour this just like any other Guinness, at a 45% degree angle. The head of this is a caramel color, many shade darker that out trusty old draught. The taste’s and smell like it appears, hoppy. IT has an intense flavor of hops, maybe a hint of coffee. It is bold and rich. Overall, I like this Guinness, it has the bold flavor that I sometimes miss in my trusty draught. The higher ABV doesn’t hurt either.
Foreign Extra Stout will be available at specialty beer retailers in October 2010 with a suggested retail price of $9.49 for a 4-pack.
Have you tried it yet? Let us know what you think in the comments!
