Guinness
Guinness is the world's best-known stout: a dark beer from Dublin with a creamy, white head. It tastes of roasted malt, coffee and dark chocolate, and is lighter than it looks. Here you can read what Guinness is, what variants are available and how to properly pour a can at home.
Black beer with a white head
Guinness is a stout: a dark, top-fermented beer that gets its color and flavor from roasted barley. Arthur Guinness began brewing in 1759 at the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, and Guinness is still made there today. The brand is now owned by drinks company Diageo. People often search for it as guiness or guinness beer, but it is the same Irish beer.
What makes Guinness special is its head. Guinness Draught is poured with nitrogen, which creates very small bubbles and a thick, creamy foam. For home consumption, the can contains a widget, a plastic ball that releases gas when opened, making the beer in the glass just as creamy as it is on tap. The beer looks black, but hold the glass up to the light and you will see a deep ruby-red color. And despite its full flavor, Guinness Draught at 4.2% is lighter than most lagers.
In brief
Draught, Original and 0.0
Gall & Gall sells three types of Guinness: the familiar Draught can with a widget, Original in a 33 cl bottle, and the alcohol-free 0.0.
Guinness Draught
The classic, with a widget in the can. Creamy and soft, with roasted malt. As close as you can get at home to a draught pint.
Guinness Original
Brewed according to the original recipe, with roasted malt and a firm hop bitterness. Without nitrogen, so it has more carbonation and is less creamy than Draught.
Guinness 0.0
The alcohol-free version, also with a widget. Soft and creamy, with notes of roasted malt, chocolate and coffee.
What the difference is between a stout and a porter and which other stouts are available: read it on our stout page.
Roasted, dry, and creamy
Coffee & cocoa
You smell roasted malt, a little coffee, and dark chocolate. The Original has a little more hops.
Smooth and creamy
The nitrogen makes Draught feel smooth and almost velvety, with little carbonation. The beer is less heavy than it looks.
Dry and slightly bitter
Guinness finishes dry, with the bitter note of roasted barley. Not sweet, as you might expect from a dark beer.
Flavour profile of Guinness Draught (4.2%). The Original is slightly more bitter and robust, with more carbonation.
How to pour Guinness
Guinness should be drunk cool, not ice-cold, and always from a glass. The foam is part of it: give it a moment.
From can in one go
Open the chilled can and pour it into a pint glass in one smooth motion. Hold the glass at an angle first and straighten it halfway through. You will see the beer turn cloudy brown and slowly settle: that is the nitrogen doing its work.
More about pouring beer →Let it settle
Wait until the beer is completely dark and the head is firmly settled on top. This takes about a minute. Only then is the Guinness ready to drink.
Cool, not ice-cold
Pour Guinness at around 5 to 7 degrees. When ice-cold, you taste less of the roasted malt; too warm and the beer becomes flat. Straight from the fridge is usually just right.
More about stout →Guinness at the table
A dry stout pairs with savoury and salty food, and surprisingly well with chocolate.
Oysters
An Irish classic: the saltiness of the oyster and the dry, roasted character of the stout complement each other.
Braised meat and pie
With Irish stew, braised meat, or a savoury pie. You can also add a splash of Guinness to the stew.
Cheese and meat
With mature or aged cheese, cheddar, or a board of cold cuts. The bitter note keeps it fresh.
Chocolate
With chocolate cake or brownies. The coffee and cocoa notes of the beer are a perfect match.
The right glass for Guinness
Guinness belongs in a pint glass. A 56 cl English pint has room for a whole 44 cl can plus a full head. A tall, slender beer glass also works well. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Guinness
Is your question not listed? Read more about stout or contact us.
Everything about stout →What is Guinness (guiness)?
How much alcohol does Guinness contain?
Why does Guinness have such a creamy head?
How do you pour Guinness from a can?
Which glass do you use for Guinness?
Is there Guinness without alcohol?
Buy Guinness
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Guinness online from Gall & Gall.
Prices as of October 9, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. Under 18, no alcohol.