BEER REVIEW: 376

BREWER: Guinness Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria 

STYLE: Stout

ABV: 7.5%

VESSEL: 325ml brown bottle 

DATE OF POST: 24th December 2024

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

This beer strides into the glass like a heavyweight champion, flexing its rich, jet-black body and capped with a creamy tan head that demands respect. It’s Guinness—but louder, stronger, and ready to throw a punch.

From the first sip, it’s a tidal wave of bold roasted malt flavours, amped up to 11. Bitter dark chocolate and espresso notes slug it out on your palate, with a subtle undercurrent of molasses and burnt caramel adding depth. There’s a surprising sweetness buried under the robust bitterness, like a moment of calm in a storm. This beer doesn’t just linger; it camps out, unapologetic and unrelenting.

Guinness Foreign Extra is not a casual sipper; it’s a beer you wrestle with. Each sip is dense, commanding, and unapologetically heavy. One bottle feels like a meal—and it would be a struggle to have another one immediately afterwards.

It’s an unforgettable beer that pushes boundaries. However, its boldness might not be for everyone. Some drinkers will revel in its intensity; others might tap out after a few rounds.

To sum up, this beer is a turbocharged, maxed-out version of a classic stout. It’s Guinness after hitting the gym, doubling its squat PB, and then tossing a keg across the room just to show off. It’s rich, powerful, and demands your full attention.

Not for the faint of heart, but for those who crave boldness, this beer is an unforgettable experience. Drink it slowly, savour it thoroughly, and maybe prepare a nap for afterward—you will have earned it.

Sammy’s Rating: 75%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

I dunno about you folk, but I massively associate Guinness with Christmas. There was a time, maybe 15 or so years ago, where I would only drink Guinness in during the month of December. And though I will still mainly drink Guinness only in the colder darker months, I have rid myself of such crazy limitations like ONLY IN DECEMBER.

But the nostalgic links between this time of year and the black stuff remain.

But today we do not just have a regular draught Guinness with its famous widget and its smooth, warming and slightly bitter tones.

Nor do we have Guinness Original with its slightly more elegant feel to the draught version. Original isn’t one for a session but more a comfy chair on a slow snowy Sunday arvo.

No, today we have Guinness Foreign Extra. And blimey, whatta hit!

So, take the smoothness from the Draught version. Take the refinement and slightly more intense flavours of the Original version. Dial the ABV up to a ridiculous 7.5% and taaaaadaaaaaa… there you have your Foreign Extra brew!

This thing is an absolute beer bomb of intensity! While clinging on to the clear Guinness roots GFE brings with it big ol’ coffee, chocolate and cherry smacks. It’s bold, it’s rich, it’s lovely… but you would not want to move onto another.

This is your archetypal sip back and savour brew. Long and slow whilst back in that comfy chair. And you know what, after the intense flavour ride, the mellowness that GFE brings, along with it’s endless and glorious bitter aftertaste… it may just send you off into the land of nod for a wee while.

Merry Christmas my friends x

Jymi’s Rating: 83%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 79%

MOB review next weekend:BAD KITTY by BRASS CASTLE

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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museonbooze.com

M O B 2024