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Guinness Draught

Guinness
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🌍 Ireland · Irish Dry Stout · One of 26 Irish Dry Stouts in hopIQ

First brewed in 1959 for the 200th anniversary of the lease Arthur Guinness signed at St James's Gate, this is the beer the brand is known for. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide are dosed at dispense, which builds the dense pale head and the slow surge that settles before drinking. The aroma runs to roasted coffee and chocolate, the liquid is dark ruby red rather than black, and the palate holds bitter, sweet and roasted notes in balance before a dry, grainy finish.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter45 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark35
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Substantial and dry.

The heft stands alone — a malt-led shape with no sugar to soften it.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Irish Dry Stout.
Malt character
roasted
chocolate
coffee
malty
Distinctive notes
dark fruit

FEATURED IN

#3 of 50The Best Irish Stouts→#7 of 25The Best Stouts in the World→

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Guinness Draught

◎ Appearance

Deep ruby-red liquid beneath a dense, creamy pale head that forms a distinctive collar and cascades slowly. The beer presents remarkable clarity despite its dark color, with excellent head retention characteristic of nitrogen-infused drafts. The visual presentation is iconic and instantly recognizable.

deep ruby-reddense cream headcascading carbonationclear

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes with subtle complexity beneath. Gentle roasted grain aromas provide a grainy backbone without aggressive hop presence. The aroma is inviting and approachable, drawing drinkers in with its familiar, comforting character.

roasted coffeedark chocolateroasted grainmalty

◐ Taste

The palate opens with roasted malt and coffee flavors that transition seamlessly into creamy, smooth sensations mid-sip. Bitter and sweet elements maintain precise balance throughout, with chocolate notes providing depth and richness. The body is surprisingly light for its appearance, making it highly drinkable despite the intense flavor profile.

balanced bitter-sweetroasted maltcreamy smoothchocolate-forward

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and dry with a grainy aftertaste that lingers moderately. A subtle astringency from roasted barley fades gracefully, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

drygrainyclean
85
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
87
Appearance
90
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Guinness Draught

Serve at 10–14°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink within a year. Standard stouts are best fresh but hold reasonably well for 6–12 months.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Guinness Draught

About Irish Dry Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Irish Dry Stout?

Stouts are dark ales with roasted barley character, 4–8% ABV and IBU 25–45. Expect coffee, dark chocolate and toast flavors with a creamy body and dry finish.

Finding a similar Irish Dry Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, chocolate, coffee character as Guinness Draught will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Irish Dry Stouts in hopIQ

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