I did a side by side tasting of this beer. The new mass produced 12 oz version and the 22 oz hand crafted version. I rated the 22 oz version. The version that made this stout popular.

12 oz

Bottle pours pitch black with tan head. Has 1 dimensional aroma featuring a slight malt base. Has a medium light body. Its a bit thin for a stout. Flavor is somewhat hoppy and has malt flavor that is somewhat boring. Overall this version is just an ok brew. Not much to talk about really. This version would get a rating no more than a 3.1 or 3.2

22 oz

Bottle pours pitch black with thick tan head. Has a wonderful aroma of sweet roasted malts and chocolate. Very complex. Has a medium body and is much fuller compared to the 12 oz version. Flavor is smooth and roasty. Dark malts, chocolate, caramel, coffee, toffee, and just tasty goodness. Overall, this is one of the best dry stouts I’ve tried. I’m glad I got to taste the mass produced version and the version that made this such a popular stout. Its truely world class.

Bottle. Pours black with a nice two finger tan head that left good lacing. Aroma of roasted malts, chocolate and light coffee. Flavor was smooth with dark roasted malts, dark chocolate, mild coffee and a hint of dark fruit with a medium body and a light bitterness. Excellent dry stout.

03 Bottle shared by Ross. Poured black with a tan head that left good lacing. Head settles but renews with a twirl of the glass. Aroma of chocolate, molasses and a slight roast. The flavor had the same chocolate and molasses come out with a mix of coffee, more pronounced roast and hints of hops. Medium body with a slightly fizzy carbonation. Still very decent for it’s age.

Bottle - Poured a very dark black/brown in color with a thin dark tan head that faded quickly. Aroma is slightly sweet and fruity with a strong character of coffee, dark roasted malts and a hint of chocolate. Thinner than I expected. A good stout, but not one of the best

Newer bottle conditioned version. Yes I heard all the hype leading up to this tasting, but it definitely delivered. People always comment this beat Guiness! Not even close, this makes Guiness taste like tepid, watered down coffee. Just phenomenal.