Guinness 250 Anniversary Stout

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

My pint glass was thankfully not chilled, and so my 250th Anniversary Guinness arrived before me a dark brown with black overtones and a decent head of loosely packed bubbles which fade into a tan collar of reputable form. Holding her up to the light, burnt amber glazes the bottom and sides of the glass while her nose comes out to play. Licorice root hits me first, taking me back to the candy licorice vines and jelly beans of my youth while raisins, plums, and dates join the party. Dark chocolate covered espresso beans crunch and crackle, hitting me with sweetly burnt and dry delights all at the same time. The ashy, dry character of the US Guinness is there, but with far less presence. A final flourish of faint black cherries lead me into my first quaff which is as light as her nose. The mouthfeel is different which is to be expected, but in terms of fullness and weight, the 250th Anniversary Guinness is definitely lighter all around. While I was pleased with her nose, very little of it can be found in her palate which is thin with a touch of dry ashiness which teases with faint chocolate covered espresso beans and licorice esters. Taste once, they are there; taste again, they are gone. Burnt caramel lingers in the finish, but overall there is very little going on.

Overall, I am rather disappointed and afflicted with multiple quandaries of indecision and contemplation. For a beer to celebrate 250 years of brewing success, I would think Guinness would want to pull out all the stops and release a one-time only super Guinness. On the other hand, having been around over two centuries, a proper tribute to their heritage and the roots that carried them those 250 years is also respectable. I have also found that for those who still enjoy Guinness, and for me that would be the Extra and not the Draught, you will not enjoy the 250th Anniversary Edition. But, for those who aren’t big fans of Guinness, they will enjoy the gentle approach the Anniversary release presents. Only you can judge for yourself which side of the fence you fall on. She won’t be around for much longer, so grab a pint while you can and celebrate 250 years of brewing history.

On Tap at Shallo’s. Looks like a guinness without the attractive top. Similar roast and coffee notes on the nose. Taste is regular guinness without the creamy attractiveness that makes it bareable...this translates poorly to me anyway. This was a good try, but if I feel the need in the future, I will reach for a regular guinness instead. For a stout (and an anniversiary at that) this tastes like not enough money went into it.

Pours a dark brew that allows light. The head is one finger mocha. Aroma is caramelly, sweet, diacetyl, no roast or coffee. Flavor is sweet, caramelly malt, mild leafy hop bite, cardboard. Palate is mildly astringent and sweet.

[Tap] I tried this on tap thinking it would be unique. Anyways, I found out that it is virtually the same as regular Guinness. So I guess it’s just a marketing ploy. Dry, dusty aroma. Roasted malt backbone with light chocolate and sweet caramel notes. Not as dry as I expected. Slightly more body than regular Guinness, but that could be because it wasn’t a nitro pour.

12 ounce bottle purchased at Total Wine Pembroke Pines, FL for $1.99 Very good.

Why? Why make this beer? It’s so similar to the Guinness you can get every damn day but without the cascading from the nitrogen. I’ve had a lot of Guinness and I enjoy it but this beer is pointless.

12oz. bottle in pint glass. i went into this beer expecting alot. poured with a small head that went away fast. smell was mainly roasted barley. slight chocolately flavor with a long aftertaste. not a bad beer but expected more

pretty smooth stuff .. . pours a dark black w/ a simple low head .. . B+ lacing .. . some light roast and slight metal .. . to light, not enough balls... 250 years worth? .. . had on tap @ sherlocks with the specs crew ...