Guinness Original / Extra Stout (Ireland/UK)

50cl bottle and 4.2 % abv (different from the one shown, with a screw cap!), but does say "Original" on the label. Dark brown, almost opaque colour, big, soapy and lumpy beige head with generous lacing. Aroma of dark chocolaty malt, not much else. Taste is about as straightforward as the aroma: Espresso-like flavour and bitterness, hardly any sweeter elements at all (a wee bit of chocolate on the side), bitter, dry finish and coffee aftertaste. Closer to "Draught", but not as coal-like, thank God! But much less interesting than their superb "Foreign Extra Stout" (which I rated 4.1), which is the only Guinness I really recommend!

Can@Home. Chocolate, roasted malts and light coffee aroma. Black colour, light brown head, good lace. Light sweet, bitter, very roasted. Sparkling and a bit thin.

Black with tan head. Nice roasted aroma. Flavor was of roasted malts with strong coffee tones. Dry and bitter. Overall pretty decent and not totally unlike Guinness Draught.

Can in celebration of Arthur’s Day, brought back from Ireland 4.2% abv. Opaque dark brown, almost black with creamy tan head. Aroma is dry chocolate, coffee, a little cola, nice. Flavor is roast, cola, a little smoke, light coffee, not bad. Light body with active carbonation. Not bad, better than nitro that’s for sure.

Can from London, abv. 4.2% (rated at home, BB 01/2010).
Almost opaque black color, good tan head, some lace. Light roasted aroma with milky notes. Smooth mouthfeel. Milk chocolaty roasted aftertaste, a bit of sweet milk chocolate and ash. Much better than last Guinness Draughts I’ve had. Roasted aftertaste.

You must try this beer a St James Gate. The farther you travel from there, the less impressive it tastes. A pint pulled from a tap in the Emerald Isle is far superior to anything you can get elsewhere.

341ml bottle
4.2% ABV
No matter how many times I try Guinness, I fail to see why the world appreciates it so much. As I move along with my beer experience, I do tend to give it slightly higher ratings....more to distance it from the trashy swill than to bring it closer to the diamonds of the beer world.

568ml bottle (Dublin) right on BB date - Shared by Mirjukka - thanks!
Simple roasty aroma. Pleasant carbonation. Full roasty body, but quite gentle. Some subtle noble hop bite, but restrained. Dry, corky, almost ashy finish. Some milkiness, Very tasty.