What Does Guinness Beer Taste Like? Explained (2024 Updated)

Written By Lydia Martin
March 11, 2024

Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Lydia Martin

If you’re wondering what does Guinness taste like, you’re at the right place.

As an avid Guinness beer fan, we’ll detail how this special beer tastes and why it’s popular among drinkers.

At the same time, we’ll talk about the different Guinness beers, their tastes, and the factors that affect what Guinness tastes like. Keep reading.

What Guinness Beer Brand Tastes Like

From our experience, Guinness beer has a hoppy bitterness and malty sweetness, with hints of coffee and chocolate.

We like its roasted malt barley, adding a bit of creamy and smooth flavor. It’s a great dark beer with a distinct taste, and its smooth and balanced palate makes it an enjoyable drink.

“Beer, if drank with moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit, and promotes health.”
– Thomas Jefferson, 3rd US President

Guinness beer is made using coffee beans, among other ingredients such as chocolate and roasted unmalted barley. So, the unique taste of the beans comes from the roasting process.

Guinness Beer’s Tasting Notes

Palate

Guinness beers taste good, with a malty taste, coffee-like flavor, and chocolate milk notes. Expect hints of a bitter taste due to the coffee elements.

Nose

Sweet flavors with toasty dark malts and mild coffee scents. Expect some nutty and subtly saline tones on the nose.

Color

Usually called “black stuff,” Guinness has a dark ruby-red color.

Finish

It has a smooth texture with a creamy mouthfeel – light-bodied and long-lasting.

Various Guinness Beers & Their Tastes

Guinness Draught

These black beer variants (Guinness) taste like coffee with a fruity flavor with. This nitrogenized drink has a light, bubbly texture, and creamy mouthfeel with milky chocolate notes.

However, bitterness will soon set in and replace citric acid’s tangy and creamy aroma. The bitter mouthfeel in Guinness Draught with a creamy taste gives a distinct flavor.

Guinness Nitro IPA

This is a sensational blend of roasted flavor and aroma. It’s an improved Guinness Draught with more creaminess and nitrogenizing elements.

This Guinness beer taste like hops with a tangy citrus flavor. Its sweet milky taste leaves a caramel impression, with a foamy head that keeps this beer refreshing.

Guinness Foreign Extra Stout

If you like bitter drinks among other beers, you’ll like Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. This dark Guinness Stout has a creamy-like flavor with some roasted barley bitterness.

The drink’s sour and sweet taste nourishes the tongue, while the bitter notes leave a lasting impression on the mouth. We like the malty finish, which tastes identical to toffee.

Guinness Extra Stout

This extra stout beer has a distinctive taste. It’s an Irish stout beer type that tastes crisp and sharp, pairing well with classic Irish dishes like Irish beef stew, Soda bread, Steak and Kidney pie, and Cottage pie.

The natural malty palate makes Guinness a good beer for those who like their beer malty. Also, Guinness’s bitterness and sweet taste make you want to drink more.

Guinness Over The Moon Milk Stout

This beer is the sweetest brand of Guinness. Its creamy and sweet taste lingers on the tongue, and we like the roasted flavor with coffee and milk.

It’s one of the best beers we’ve tried from Guinness. This is a delicious beer with a rich caramel flavor, ideal if you don’t like drinking Guinness bitter.

4 Factors That May Affect Its Taste

Freshness

This beer will taste like the sweetest when it’s served fresh. You should pour Guinness into a glass and drink Guinness when it’s fresh.

The seal should not be removed to prevent excess air into the bottle.

“Each sip of Guinness paints a masterpiece on the palate, blending dark chocolate notes, toasted grains, and a creamy embrace, making it a timeless elixir of indulgence.”
– Liquor Laboratory

This allows bacteria and yeast to grow inside, making Guinness taste flat, stale, and sour.

Glass Type

The type of glass can affect the quality of the beer. If Guinness drips onto a surface with a high viscosity, a foamy head settles in.

Temperature

Guinness requires a 38-degree temperature to achieve its creamy taste. However, anything over that results in a heavily carbonated pre-cut.

Also Read:

Air Exposure

The new version of this beer tastes malty with coffee-like flavors. But when exposed to air, it becomes flat and dull.

The addition of nitrogen in the brewing process contributed to the development of the beer’s flavor, but when exposed to too much air, it loses its crisp flavor.

FAQs Related to What does Guinness taste like?

What does Guinness taste like?

Guinness has a unique flavor profile characterized by its rich and creamy texture, roasted maltiness, subtle sweetness, and hints of coffee and chocolate notes.

Is Guinness bitter?

While Guinness does have some bitterness due to its roasted barley, it is not overly bitter. Instead, the bitterness is balanced by its creamy texture and hints of sweetness, resulting in a smooth and flavorful beer.

Does Guinness taste like coffee?

Yes, Guinness often has subtle coffee-like flavors, particularly from its roasted barley. These flavors contribute to the beer’s complexity and add depth to its taste profile.

Is Guinness sweet or savory?

Guinness has elements of both sweetness and savory notes. Its roasted maltiness provides a savory depth, while its creamy texture and hints of caramel contribute to its sweetness.

What foods pair well with Guinness?

Guinness pairs well with a variety of foods, including hearty and savory dishes such as stews, roasts, burgers, and meat pies. Its robust flavor profile complements rich and flavorful foods, making it a popular choice for pairing with pub fare.

Can Guinness be enjoyed on its own or in cocktails?

Yes, Guinness is often enjoyed on its own as a standalone beer, particularly in its classic draught form poured from a tap. Additionally, it can be used in various beer cocktails or Guinness-based drinks to create unique flavor combinations.

Does Guinness taste different from other beers?

Yes, Guinness has a distinct taste profile that sets it apart from other beers. Its creamy texture, roasted maltiness, and unique flavor characteristics make it easily recognizable among beer enthusiasts.

Key Takeaways

Guinness beer is a delicious beer with a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness, specifically the Draught.

But what’s interesting about Guinness beer is its roasted flavor, particularly the IPA, Stout, and Extra Stout variations, which go well with various food pairings.

The Guinness Over the Moon is a must-try for its unique sweetness if you’re into sweet beers. But we suggest enjoying all Guinness beers chilled for a refreshing feel.

References: