Foreign Extra Stout

Foreign Extra Stout is a rich and robust beer style, historically brewed with a higher gravity for export. This was done to ensure the beer's preservation during long voyages, particularly those from Europe to tropical regions. The style's history dates back to the 18th century when stout referred to strong porter beers. Over time, this style has evolved but remains known for its bold flavors and higher alcohol content compared to its domestic counterparts.

In terms of appearance, Foreign Extra Stouts are typically jet black or very dark brown with clarity that can range from opaque to clear. They often feature a large, persistent head with colors varying from light tan to brown. As for aroma and flavor, there is a complexity present due in part to the generous use of roasted grains or malts. These contribute rich coffee and chocolate notes with a slight burnt character that should never be harsh or acrid. Hop bitterness can be moderate to high and balances out the malt sweetness, though hop flavor is generally low to none. Ripe fruit aromas such as plums or raisins may also be present due to esters produced during fermentation – adding further depth. The mouthfeel tends toward medium-full to full-bodied with a creamy texture and moderate carbonation – not too dry nor too sweet in the finish, despite its richness.

The Foreign Extra Stout is both related and distinct from other stouts like Irish Dry Stout or Sweet Stout through its higher alcohol strength and bolder flavor profile. It is less roasty than an American-style Imperial Stout but shares some characteristics with classic Russian Imperial Stouts due to their common heritage of high gravity stout brewing intended for long-distance transportation.