In the bottle, this Foreign Extra Stout competes favorably with Guinness Extra Stout and the nuttier dark-roasted Draught version. As of 2024, 50% of Guinness brews sold worldwide were FES. Creamier and sweeter than porter-inspired GES or nitrogenated Draught, its dark chocolate syruping, maple molasses sugaring and burnt toast remnant reach a less nutty mocha finish than the aforementioned variants (though the dark-roast hop char remains elevated in comparison).
All posts by John Fortunato
BOLERO SNORT ARCOBALENO RAINBOW COOKIE STOUT
Richly creamed Italian cookie-inspired pastry stout perfectly combines pureed raspberry, honeyed almond, cocoa and vanilla adjuncts as ancillary red grape, black cherry and blackberry illusions heighten lively dried fruitiness draping vanilla-frosted chocolate caking. On 2026 re-tasting, viscously rich Italian Rainbow Cookie confection saddled adjunctive raspberry pureed cocoa nibs and honeyed almond pasting with teasing maraschino cherry, creme brulee, bourbon chocolate, grenadine and Napolean ice cream illusions.
EREDITA HUMBLE OATMEAL STOUT
“Classic unassuming” traditional oatmeal stout lets wood-charred hop roast penetrate dark chocolate fudging that contrasts raw molasses bittering and dark-roast coffee swipe ultimately sweetened by sugared maple oats at the blackened mocha finish.
HANGING HILLS OPEN CONTAINER IRISH STOUT
On tap at Hop & Vine Taproom, silken dark chocolate creaminess leaves nutty coffee residue as tertiary smoked molasses, chalky cocoa, dark-roast hop char and seared rauchbier-like beechwood merge comfortably.
FAT ORANGE CAT ALL CATS ARE GRAY IN THE DARK WHITE STOUT
Mildly creamed vanilla spicing hits milk chocolatey coffee midst and delicate oats-sugared base as vapid vodka-nipped hop astringency drags down initial vanilla-chocolate dessert appeal.
CAPTAIN ZIG GOOSEBERRY IPA
On tap at Hop & Vine Taproom, inaugural Captain Zig recipe is easygoing summertime IPA. Sweet orange peel zesting and dusty floral spicing contrast sour gooseberry-guava salting and lightly embittered grapefruit swipe of briskly tropical Amarillo-Citra-Mosaic-hopped moderation.
CAPTAIN ZIG SOUND SUMMER
On tap at Hop & Vine Taproom, dry summertime pale ale lets spritzy grapefruit, orange and pineapple tropicalia pickup skunked cannabis waft settle above mild sourdough breading.
ABOMINATION THE HARVESTER PARFAIT SOUR ALE (RASPBERRY/BLUEBERRY)
Tartly pureed raspberry and blueberry adjuncts gain granola-chunked Greek vanilla yogurt souring and lackluster dark chocolate influence above acidulated(?) wheat malting of purple hazed parfait knockoff. On the outskirts, cranberry, pomegranate, muscat grape and oaken cherry add sourness as extremely tart orange concentrate pucker reinforces lacquered berry spree.
JACK’S ABBY BANNER CITY LIGHT LAGER
On tap at Hop & Vine Taproom, smooth Boston Celtics championship celebrator retains spicy lemon spangle and light floral waxing above gluey dough base, leaving buttery popcorn reminder. Finer than less interesting lagers.
TWIN ELEPHANT ADIOS PANTALONES MEXICAN LAGER
On tap at Kitchen & Beer Bar, easygoing Mexican lager retains dry Saaz hopped lemon liming and orange blossom honeyed florality for Tortilla-chipped blue corn adjunct. Spritzy lemon spree picks up mildest agave remnant.
EAST ROCK ROCAVEZA MEXICAN LAGER
On tap at Hop & Vine Taproom, mild Mex lager retains corn-chipped tortilla crisping for sour lemon musk and peppery vegetal snip. OK light-bodied summertime fare.
WHALER’S RISE AMERICAN PALE ALE
On tap at Hop & Vine Taproom, tangy navel orange and tangerine zesting gain grassy hop astringency, dry pine sway and light herbage over sugary pale malts. Pleasantly mainstream.
