Murphy's Irish Stout Review

“An Irishman in Edinburgh”

Country: Republic of Ireland

Brand: Murphy's Irish Stout

Brewery: Scottish & Newcastle UK Ltd, Edinburgh, Scotland 
Package: Tin Can (500 ml) 

Type: Irish Dry Stout

Age: NAS

ABV: 4%

Ingredients: Water, Malted Barley, Roasted Barley, Chocolate Malt and Hops.
Antioxidant: Not Indicated 
Stabiliser: Not Indicated

Colour: Very Dark Brown, almost Black with hints of Red. 

Foam: A finger of Nice Creamy Beige Foam remains in the Glass while you're enjoying your Murphy's. The Lacing is nice but almost no Foam remains in the glass once you have finished it.

Nose: Lighter than expected with Toasted Grains, Toffee, Yeast, Chocolate Milk, Malt, light Hops, Dry Earth and hints of Red Berries and Coffee.

Palate: Light, Watery and Slightly Bitter. The Carbonation is very Low. I find Toasted Grain, Malt, Sour Bread, Nut-Shells, light Hops, light Licorice, Dirty Earth, Wet Stones, Caramel, Chocolate Milk, Cold Coffee and hints of Red Berries and Metal. 

Finish: Light, Thin, Bitter-Sweet and slightly Sour with Toasted Grain, Malt, light Hops, Caramel, Yeast, Wet Stones, light Licorice and Stale Coffee.

Rating: ****** (Six out of Ten)

The Former Murphy's Brewery in Cork (Picture Credit: JD Traveller)

General Remarks: William Younger & Co and McEwans merged in 1931 and became Scottish Brewers. This company merged in 1960 with the Newcastle Breweries to form Scottish & Newcastle. This company grew very strong both in the UK and the Baltic countries and was finally bought after long negotiations by a consortium formed by Carlsberg and Heineken in 2008. The assets were split and Heineken a/o got the Scottish & Newcastle Brewery in Edinburgh. S & N is now formally known as Heineken UK. The Murphy's Irish Stout I'm tasting today was brewed in this Edinburgh distillery. The original Murphy's Brewery was founded in 1856 in Cork, Ireland by James J. Murphy. The Brewery was bought in 1983 by the Heineken Group. Murphy's has always been the most traditional competitor of Guiness Stout. Guiness is generally considered to be heavier and more bitter than Murphy's. Murphy's also produces an Irish Red. The water for the Brewery is sourced from the river Lee. The Can contains a nice little ball of Nitrogen to help produce the nice Creamy Foam.

Drinking Experience: Okay/Good

Conclusion: Murphy's Irish Stout is a delight for the eye when you pour it in your glass. The Dark Brown/Black of the Beer combines perfectly with the Rich Creamy Beige Foam. Full marks for presentation. But on the Nose and on the Palate Murphy's is quite Light, Thin and Watery. The ABV of only 4% does not help here of course. It's easily drinkable but it does not have interesting Aromas and Flavours. The Coffee - and Chocolate notes are very Thin and a bit Stale and Musty. Murphy's Irish Stout is not a bad Stout and I won't say no if one is offered. But it's also rather Thin and kinda Boring thus I won't buy it again.

Jan van den Ende                                                                      June 8, 2015