Guinness Foreign Extra Stout is one of a range of beers produced by the Guinness brewery in Dublin, Ireland. Radically different from the brand’s other stouts, this beer has the particularity of having been specially produced for African countries.
The history of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout begins in 1801. At this time, the Guinness brewery decided to export its beers to the rest of the world, particularly Africa. To this end, she developed a new beer: West India Porter, to which she added extra alcohol and hops, to enable the beers to better withstand the weeks of boat travel.
It has to be said that the swell and heat of the tropics can significantly alter the taste of beer. So a solution had to be found to offer a perfectly balanced beer despite the high African temperatures.
The gamble paid off: on opening, West India Porter is more than convincing, with its dark color, roasted fruity notes and tangy, subtly bittersweet flavors. Stronger, it has an alcohol content of 7.5° and a refreshingly dry finish.
A subtle brew, a far cry from Guinness Draught or Guinness Original Extra Stout, two other beers produced by the Irish brewery.
And these new flavors seem to immediately appeal to Africans!
The brewery was soon invited to produce more for Africa… So much so that the continent became one of the biggest markets for the Irish company! The company even built a brewery on site to better meet demand!
After more than two centuries, West India Porter changed its name to Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. And the success continues: the beer continues to be exported to African regions, while also creating a buzz in Europe, Asia and the United States.
Although less popular than its Irish counterparts, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout doesn’t fall short of the mark, as its recipe remains historic, authentic and 100% daring. It has lost none of its original ingredients, and only the packaging has changed.
Note that this beverage is only available in bottles in Ireland. It’s easily recognized by its bright yellow lettering. It’s rare to find it in Irish pubs, but it’s readily available in supermarkets throughout the country.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Drink in moderation.
