Guinness Extra Stout differs from the standard Guinness Draught primarily in terms of carbonation, flavor profile, and alcohol content. While Guinness Draught is nitrogenated, resulting in a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and a lighter body, Guinness Extra Stout is carbonated with carbon dioxide, producing a sharper, more effervescent texture.
Guinness Extra Stout typically has a higher ABV—around 5.6% compared to Draught's 4.2%. The Extra Stout is brewed in the traditional style, with a more pronounced roasted barley flavor, bitter notes, and a drier finish. Guinness Extra Stout has historical roots tracing back to the original recipes of porter and stout that originated in the 18th and 19th centuries at St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin.