BJCP 16D · Dark British Beer
Foreign Extra Stout
A strong, dry export stout with coffee and bitter chocolate roast and firm bitterness. More alcohol than an Irish Stout and less sweet than a Tropical Stout.
Foreign Extra Stout by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 6.3 – 8.0%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 50 – 70 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 30 – 40 SRM59–79 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.056 – 1.075on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.010 – 1.018on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Foreign Extra Stout is like
A very dark, fairly strong stout with intense roast and a dry finish. Unlike the Tropical Stout, the sweetness stays in the background and the bitterness is more noticeable.
Appearance
Black and opaque. Tan to brown head with good retention.
Aroma
Coffee and bitter chocolate roast, sometimes with dark fruit and some alcohol. Low earthy hops.
Flavor
Intense roast of coffee, bitter chocolate and some licorice. Moderate to high bitterness and a dry to medium-dry finish, with alcohol warmth.
Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-full body, often creamy. Moderate carbonation.
Where Foreign Extra Stout comes from
It's the strong stout brewed in Britain and Ireland for export to the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, with more alcohol and hops to survive the voyage. Guinness Foreign Extra Stout is the best-known example and is brewed in several countries.
Ingredients
Pale ale malt with roasted barley, sometimes chocolate or black malt, and sugar. English bittering hops and English or Irish yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Foreign Extra Stout at home
Ferment with a generous, well-oxygenated pitch at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F), and let it condition for a few weeks so the alcohol blends in. Mash at 65-66 °C (149-151 °F) so it finishes dry. If it comes out sweet and fruity, it'll lean toward a Tropical Stout.
Food pairing
Grilled meat, oysters or a dark chocolate cake.
Glassware: nonic pint glass, the classic pub glass, made for long drinks.
Classic examples
- Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
- Coopers Best Extra Stout
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Foreign Extra Stout?
Between 6.3% and 8.0% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a high strength.
How bitter is Foreign Extra Stout?
It has 50 to 70 IBUs, a very high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Foreign Extra Stout?
Black: 30 to 40 SRM (59 to 79 EBC).
What food pairs well with Foreign Extra Stout?
Grilled meat, oysters or a dark chocolate cake.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Tropical Stout, Irish Extra Stout and American Stout.
If you like Foreign Extra Stout, try these
Classification and statistics: official Foreign Extra Stout guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.