Is Guinness a stout or a porter?

A stout, specifically a dry Irish stout. It's lower in alcohol than people expect, about 4.2%.

They look it, but many aren't. A dry stout is lower in alcohol than most IPAs. Imperial and milk stouts are the rich, heavy ones.

Stout vs porter: what's the difference?

Stout and porter are both dark, roasty ales and the line between them is blurry; stouts usually taste more roasted and coffee-like, porters a bit softer and more chocolatey.

Stout

Easy

Boozy

Tart

Sweet

Not bitter

Bracing

Dark, roasty and creamy, like cold coffee with a beer's bite.

Porter

Easy

Boozy

Tart

Sweet

Not bitter

Bracing

Dark and toasty, smoother, with chocolate and caramel.

The real difference

Stout started out as a stronger porter in 18th-century London, and today brewers use either name freely. Stouts often use roasted barley, which gives a sharper coffee bite. Porters lean on dark malts for chocolate and caramel. Guinness is a stout, and a fairly light one.

Side by side

StoutPorter

TastesRoasty, coffee, dry or creamyChocolate, caramel, toasty

StylesDry Irish, milk, oatmeal, imperialEnglish, Baltic, robust

On a menuGuinness on tap, dessert stoutsCraft taps, pub menus

Which to order

Order a stout if you want deep roast and coffee flavor.
Order a porter if you want dark beer that's a bit smoother and sweeter.

Quick questions

Is Guinness a stout or a porter?: A stout, specifically a dry Irish stout. It's lower in alcohol than people expect, about 4.2%.
Are stouts heavy?: They look it, but many aren't. A dry stout is lower in alcohol than most IPAs. Imperial and milk stouts are the rich, heavy ones.