Beer. Because no great story ever started with a glass of water. And, if we’re talking about beers similar to Guinness, I must mention stout, with its rich, complex, bitter-sweet flavour profile.
What Does Stout Taste Like? Stout is rich and complex due to bitter hops and contrasting sweet malt. Flavour notes transition between rich coffee, sweet liquorice, dark chocolate, and fruity molasses.
The shining star of stout would be Guinness, an iconic brand (and taste) loved worldwide. But stout is not a one-horse race; several other Guinness-like stouts are waiting to be discovered.
Best Beers Similar To Guinness
The best beers similar to Guinness are packed with rich flavours such as malt, cocoa, coffee, molasses, cinnamon… even charred oak. Here are 6 to try.
1. Founders Breakfast Stout
Overview
- Brewery: Founders Brewing Co
- ABV: 8.3% (16.6 Proof)
- Country: United States
- Colour: Deep Brown
Review
Founders Brewing Co has collaborated with Ferris Coffee and Nut, a local coffee roaster, with something to prove. Founders Breakfast Stout has an 8.3% ABV – perfect for parties too!
You know that day drinking and a beer with “breakfast” in its name will go hand in hand. And indeed, there’s no better occasion than hot scrambled eggs and fresh morning air to enjoy this velvety stout.
Taste notes
Oats, dark cocoa-rich chocolate, and two carefully picked coffee roasts give this beer an unmatchable taste. Fresh java on the nose and sweet, frothy cinnamon on the tongue will make getting out of bed easier.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. New Holland Dragon’s Milk
Overview
- Brewery: New Holland Brewing Co
- ABV: 11% (22 Proof)
- Country: United States
- Colour: Deep Brown
Review
This prize contender originated not in Europe but in Holland, Michigan. This beer is an all-American stout that’s up there with the best.
A stout with a difference due to the addition of oats and aged in bourbon barrels, it’s an unmissable flavour inclusion. One sip of this potent 11% ABV stout, and you’ll see what I mean.
Taste Notes
The roasted malt is noticeable everywhere, from the layers of vanilla and oak shining through on the nose to the coffee, caramel, and chocolate flavours on the tongue.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. Southern Tier Warlock Stout
Overview
- Brewery: Southern Tier
- ABV: 8.6% (17.2 Proof)
- Country: United States
- Colour: Deep Brown
Review
A Warlock’s magic has undoubtedly given this stout the attribute of being an Imperial Stout and allowed for the brilliant notion of including Pumpkin Spice.
Southern Tier prides itself on its ability to pursue flavours beyond what the masses consider “comfortable,” This achievement is evident in its exploration of pumpkin spice.
Taste Notes
Pumpkin spice and beer finally come together, sprinkled with vanilla and nutmeg and strengthened with molasses and chocolate; it evolves on the palate nicely.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. North Coast Old Rasputin Imperial Stout
Overview
- Brewery: North Coast Brewing Company
- ABV: 9% (18 Proof)
- Country: United States
- Colour: Deep Brown
Review
The North Coast Brewing Company started as a humble little Californian brewery that has since developed an impressive and varied range of Ales and Stouts.
This fruitiness is a welcome distinction that shines through. Let North Coast’s impressive series awards do the talking if that hasn’t convinced you.
Taste Notes
A tried-and-true richness can be experienced on the nose, coming from the familiar dance of intense roasted malt and rich coffee.
On the palate, a bold and beautiful taste: liquorice, dates, caramel, and smokiness with just a touch of fruitiness that you wouldn’t usually find in a stout.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
Overview
- Brewery: Samuel Smith The Old Brewery
- ABV: 5% (10 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Rich Brown
Review
Oatmeal must be one of the most genius additions to stout. Someone give whomever first thought of this a thumbs up from me. Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout is a testament to this brilliance.
The unique taste profile has something to do with the fact that the water used in brewing is drawn from the original brewery well sunk in 1758.
Taste Notes
A bready aroma mixed with sweet liquorice and a hint of boozy nuttiness. Silky malt, oats, earthy tobacco tones, and brown sugar on the palate turn into a bitter-sweet finish.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
6. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Overview
- Brewery: Goose Island Beer Company
- ABV: 12.9% (25.8 Proof)
- Country: United States
- Colour: Deep Brown
Review
Goose Island is an innovative craft brewing company that deftly joins American inventiveness and Europe’s classic styles. Based in Chicago, Goose Island has produced fascinating drafts since 1995.
As the name suggests, this contender is aged in bourbon barrels from distilleries in Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace, and Wild Turkey. This ageing process heavily influences the distinct and complex flavours that come through.
It’s also worth noting that the ageing process for this beer continues after bottling, so make sure you stow one away for a year or two from now.
Taste Notes
Chocolate, vanilla, caramel, and charred oak aromas swirl with berries, almonds, and aged whiskey on the palate. This combination is fascinating.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Andrew’s Top Pick
Founders Breakfast Stout
My top pick beer similar to Guinness is Founders Breakfast Stout. This tasty stout blends smooth oats with rich chocolate, coffee and burnt sugar. Has a subtle bitter-sweet finish that lingers nicely.
Conclusion
And there you have it: a list of formidable beers similar to Guinness. Although every drink on this list is remarkable in its own right, most are small-batch beers brewed in local breweries.
Each of these stouts has been carefully crafted with minute taste variances from batch to batch to ensure they are not too similar to Guinness. They’re undoubtedly worth seeking out.
Also Read: 4 Best Duvel Beers: A Belgian Beer Lover’s Guide
What makes stout complex is that these flavours may only come through some at a time, may not come through with every sip, or may not even come through in an entire pint.
It’s a flavour you love or hate—no middle ground. I love it!
A Little More About Guinness
Guinness is a Stout beer originating in 1759. It’s based on London’s original porter style method but has been brewed in Ireland by Arthur Guinness since its inception. Not only that, but his company has used the same recipe since.
Hops, water, yeast, and barley are the four key ingredients, and the inclusion of Nitrogen during the carbonation process gives Guinness that distinctly silky texture on the tongue.
The roasted barley is flaked and roasted, an integral step in achieving the characteristic black hue and distinct taste. Guinness claims that a “double pour” of their stout will give it a distinctive reddish hue.
Also Read: Stouts and Porters: Understanding Dark Beers
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.