Fado + Guinness + Bloggers + Trivia

I think I'm going to this.

Guinness Foreign Extra Stout

I really like this beer. Many beer geeks love it. This is happy news for all of us. The low down from BA:

Tuesday, September 28th is National Drink Beer Day! As if you didn't already have reason to raise a pint, GUINNESS(r) Irish Stout is proud to announce its U.S. launch of GUINNESS(r) Foreign Extra Stout (FES) on October 1st. The fullest in flavor of the GUINNESS brand variants, GUINNESS FES is carbonated unlike the nitrogenated GUINNESS Draught with which most Americans are familiar. The specialty beer is 7.5% ABV and possesses strong, roasted aromas followed by a unique bittersweet taste. Foreign Extra Stout is already a favorite of many around the world, making up 45% of GUINNESS sales globally, and is sure to be a favorite of beer aficionados here in the U.S.

## Fact Sheet GUINNESS® Foreign Extra Stout (FES)

Product Description: GUINNESS® Foreign Extra Stout (FES) is brewed with the highest hop rate of all the GUINNESS® variants. The generous hop additions express fully the beers distinctive character and flavor while also prolonging shelf life in warmer climates, as hops are the best natural preservative for beer. GUINNESS FES is uniquely different from GUINNESS Draught both in taste profile, color and ritual.

Taste
Profile: Big, full‐bodied flavor with enormous complexity and character. Strong, roasted aromas followed by a unique bittersweet taste

Appearance
Deep Brown

Dispense
Carbonated (GUINNESS Draught nitrogenated)

Ingredients
Malt, Roast Barley, Hops, Yeast, Water

ABV
7.5%

Serve
In a GUINNESS goblet or chilled straight from the bottle; one‐part pour at a 45 degree
angle

Five step ritual
Chill, Release, Pour, Toast, Enjoy

Tasting Notes
The sensation of GUINNESS Foreign Extra Stout astonishes and activates the palate with the taste buds immediately ignited by a deep, rich sweetness of the malted barley. The strong caramel, coffee‐like character of the roasted barley and the calm impact of the fragrant hops give an aromatic and sensual effect. The finish is perhaps the most important part of the GUINNESS taste experience ensuring these distinct sensations linger in your mouth longer for you to enjoy.
Suggested Retail Price: 4‐pack @ $9.49

History
Brewed for more than two centuries, GUINNESS FES dates back to 1801. Known as West India Porter until the mid nineteenth century, FES was an export beer brewed with extra hops, giving the beer a more intense flavor and higher alcohol strength. The extra hops also acts as a natural preservative for beer, allowing it to survive long journeys overseas.

GUINNESS FES was exported to the U.S. beginning in 1817, but was discontinued in 1920 due to prohibition. The specialty stout will make its return to the U.S. market in October 2010.

http://www.guinness.com

Lew Bryson has a quick review of it for you.

Desperation or Diversification?

Images from here.

Probably both. Still, interesting.

Thirsty Thursday #26

Guinness 250th Anniversary Stout
by Guinness Ltd, Dublin, Ireland
Style: Irish Dry Stout
ABV: 5%

I've had it on tap and from a bottle. I prefer the bottle version better. Come on though, 250 years and another slightly boring dry stout. Seriously. Give me a double stout, a chocolate stout, a milk stout, something a bit different. A bit special. Don't get me wrong, it's enjoyable, but I think 250 years calls for a little more pomp and circumstance.

Guinness 250th Anniversary Stout

I consider myself a fairly smart person, but I spent about 20 minutes on Guinness website trying to figure out how to find info on their 250th Anniversary Stout. It was like a bad trip. Eventually I found this:

This is the year to celebrate! That’s why our Master Brewer has created the limited edition Guinness® 250 Anniversary Stout.

We used a proprietary brewhouse process that combines the use of stout and ale malt for a distinctive carbonated stout with a clean, smooth finish. This is the first new Guinness® stout we’ve introduced to the US since we first started importing Guinness® Draught in 1967, but it’s only available for a limited time. So starting on
April 24th, get out with some friends and try a pint of our brand new brew!

Whatever. I'll give it a try. It's available now. I've seen it. It is out there....

Read the reviews here.