Murphy's Irish Stout - Murphy Brewery Ireland Limited

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.08/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Felt like some Guinness the other day, but pulled the trigger on this since it was almost $4 cheaper than the Guinness 4 pack.

Poured with the traditional nitro-can cascading...always a nice sight. Finger of creamy khaki colored head, going nowhere fast. Poured a dark brown, with plenty of lighter spots around the edges...the only really unfortunate part of its appearance.

One of the most aromatic Irish dry stouts I've had. Plenty of roasted barley, some chocolate sweetness notes, light roast coffee,

Light sweet milk chocolate notes, roasted notes, slight bittersweet coffee notes and a tinge of rustic noble hops on the finish.

Body was medium and creamy from the nitro. Clean finish, soft and silky.

Quite glad I got this instead of Guinness...it's miles better and for a better price.

Serving type: nitro-can

02-04-2013 20:57:18 | More by EgadBananas

DragonzBreath

Michigan

3.59/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Muphy's Irish Stout, this beer poured black with Tan thick foam..we had the nitro can.
little carbonation, and thin .. crisp and dry
mouthfeel.
The head saves this beer for me.(loved the look)
Roasted coffee and malts.
Guinness 'esk Abv 4.0 Descent beer.

Serving type: nitro-can

02-01-2013 21:14:46 | More by DragonzBreath

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -18%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tried Murphys Irish Stout for this first time since I have been a member of BA. The beer looked great, nice and dark with foamy slightly off white head that left spotty lacing. The smell was simple, hints of roast and espresso. Thetaste seemed a bit off to me. The beer started with roast/espresso, then I got a finish that seemed to have bourbon or some type of scotch/whiskey in it. Wasn't very appealing. The mouthfeel was lighter in body for a stout with subtle carbonationl. Overall it was just ok.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2013 02:00:00 | More by WoodBrew

AAG

Texas

3.46/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured it from a nitro-can directly into a pint glass.

Appearance - Got to love the thick head on a Murphy's stout! The head poured about two fingers and lasted forever. Very pleasing; coats the sides of the glass. Head is tan; beer is dark brown/black. Not as dark as a guinness but still pretty dark.

Smell - Very difficult for me to discern. Maybe oats or grains? Slight coffee-like smell, perhaps. Struggling here...

Taste - Very nice, dry stout. I think I prefer Murphy's over Guinness these days. Very dry...lightly carbonated.

Mouthfeel - Very easy on the palate; carbonation is very limited; thick head improves the mouthfeel.

Overall - I really like Murphy's stout. It's dry, easy to drink, not too heavy for a stout, and very tasty. I will continue to return to this staple in the future...

Serving type: nitro-can

01-27-2013 01:56:00 | More by AAG

divineaudio

Michigan

3.3/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

16oz nitro can into a nonic.

a - pours a translucent dark brown with a pinky of thick, creamy, tan head that lasts forever. head completely coats the inside of the glass.

s - roasted grain (oats?), faint dark cherry, faintly nutty.

t - lightly roasty with strong dark fruity notes, mainly dark cherry and raisin. has almost no hop character, but finishes bittersweet.

m - lighter side of medium with lighter carbonation and a fine (nitrogen) profile. slightly sticky.

o - true to style, this one goes down easy and doesn't suck. could drink a few in a session no problem, 3 of these would be roughly equal to one of the many imperial stouts out there. worthy of an occasional purchase.

Serving type: nitro-can

01-13-2013 23:48:54 | More by divineaudio

Jsteez

New Mexico

4.24/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a nitro-can into a dimpled English beer mug.

A-It looks like chocolate milk when initially poured because of the nitro. When settled, it's pure black with a tan creamy 1 finger head. Left creamy lacing on the glass.

S-Hints of coffee (only slight) with bits of molasses. The smell is quite tame. There were bits of malt in the nose as well.

T-Very smooth, even crisp for this style. Taste of coffee, malt, and some slight bitterness from the hops in the aftertaste. Very balanced in every way. Quite a refreshing stout. It's a little sweet, a little dry, a little bitter..it's perfectly balanced. It was so good, I grabbed another one out of my fridge. I couldn't just stop at one, it's creamy and silky smooth!

M-lighter bodied but satisfyingly sessionable. Crisp and smooth. Light carbonation/moderate carbonation. Quite a creamy mouthfeel.

Overall, buy it! It is underrated(unfortunately) but it's worth every sip. Great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Serving type: nitro-can

01-13-2013 17:21:24 | More by Jsteez

Winston_Smith

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Tasty looking black and tan beer. Looks creamy.

Smell: Malts, vague toffee smell.

Taste: Coffee and other things I can't identify. Tastes like dry Irish stout I guess.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and honestly a little more watery than I'd expected.

Overall: I'm glad I tried it, but doubt I will seek it again. It is about on par with it's obvious competitor, maybe a little better. The appearance is very nice, but I wish it had been a little less watery.

Serving type: nitro-can

12-30-2012 02:58:17 | More by Winston_Smith

doubleheelix

3.33/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this poured into a standard pint glass from a nitro can. Smell has a hint of copper, and I can say the same for the taste initially. About halfway through the beer the taste matured into a creamier, darkest of chocolate with hints of coffee on the back of the taste. Very smooth, among the most dry, and easy drinking. I'm not sure why I tasted the metal initially. This disappeared, but the smell persisted.

By far its best attribute is the head combined with lingering, thick lacing. Among the darkest.

Overall: Excellent sipping beer. Dry and solid. At only 4.0% not too much guilt. Be sure to give the can a good roll before to loosen up the nitrogen. I can imagine that it looses something in the can, though. Would definitely order on a cold night off a tap.

Serving type: nitro-can

12-28-2012 23:35:21 | More by doubleheelix

erickehoe

Michigan

3.91/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Gorgeous juxtaposition of pitch black beer, and white, frothy, half-inch of head. The creamy spiraling of the bubbles visible during the pour is appealing.

Smell: Not many smells emanating here. A bit of chocolate. Similar beery smell of other British Isles beer.

Taste: Soft, subtle first impression of turkish coffee maltiness. Very clean. There is a balance there, like the sweetness and bitterness of dark chocolate. Slight hop brightness: so reserved and gentle. Each drink leaves you wanting more.

Mouthfeel: Silky and creamy. The carbonation is elusive.

Overall: True drinkability. All things about this are subtle and reserved. I give this high marks because you continuously want another sip. That said, it lacks in flavor and complexity. An enjoyable smoothness, however.

Serving type: nitro-can

12-27-2012 00:51:22 | More by erickehoe

smwesson500

Kansas

3.88/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Beautiful dark beer

S: Chocolate aromas, not much to pick up on several attempts it seems.

T: Coffee and chocolate to be noticed pleasantly subtle but not what I have come to expect with this style of beer.

M: Almost too smooth. Stouts usually have a bitter kick at the end, this does not.

O: A decent beer. It is definitively a lot smoother than other beers of the same style which for some may be good.

Serving type: nitro-can

12-20-2012 00:56:31 | More by smwesson500

DavidST

Texas

3.9/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 1 pint can into a pint glass, nitro can. This pours a pitch black color with a foamy nitro head which leaves a finger thick head which remains throughout the beer. The smells are good, you get chocolate, coco, some light dark roasted malts. The feel is medium although creamy. The taste is pretty good, somewhat , light but creamy and tasty, you get the roasted malts, light bitterness, likely oatmeal, smooth nice session beer.

Serving type: nitro-can

12-13-2012 04:41:15 | More by DavidST

NilocRellim

Minnesota

4.48/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This review for the Murphy's that I had in Ireland on tap. Definitely looses something when buying it in the can.

It pours similar to Guinness as it needs to settle because of the nitrogen. It pours very dark, almost black in appearance, unless held up to light where you an see that it is actually a VERY dark red. The head was a nice off-white/tan, thick, creamy head. The smell of roasted barley, sweet cream, and coffee is very subtle. The taste is (and should be) just as subtle. Light roasted flavour with coffee notes with a creamy finish.

Would I buy it again? Yes and have numerous times... even buy it in the can now.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-01-2012 04:05:01 | More by NilocRellim

barknee

New York

3.65/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pouring opaque black with a super dense, whipped meringue, deep mocha colored highly sustainable head, Murphy's is no doubt a fine looking stout.
The nose is of rich dark chocolate, chicory and oatmeal with an admirable mouthfeel. Not too unctuous as to be drinking 5w-20, but just enough weight that it doesn't feel limp. Also enjoyable is the fact that it isn't too sweet, perhaps less so than Guinness, and noticeably has far less alcohol than many domestic stouts making this a great long termer. Well balanced and somewhat straightforward, Murphy's quenches and satisfies without attempting to be pretentious.

Serving type: nitro-can

11-25-2012 22:22:26 | More by barknee

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Catching up on some more reviews from notes.
Pint, nitro-tap in Toronto. Not sure how nitro affects this one as I haven't heard the regular version to compare.

The beer is dark brown, mahongany color. The head is short, but tight foam (very Guinness-like). The floating cap of foam lasted for the entire pint, decent looking lace coats the glass.
Smells of roasted malt, maybe a bit of coffee, but I think the nitro kills alot of the aroma.
The flavor is quite mild, some more roasted malt, slight hints of coffee or cocoa. A little bit of bitterness at the end. Body is quite thin, but the nitro keeps it creamy and smooth.
A good sessional beer, not too bad.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-04-2012 21:12:40 | More by BigBry

Murrhey

Montana

3.58/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a pint nitro-can into a pint glass. Reviewed live.

A- Beautiful nitro look with cascading carbonation and a residual creamy head, about an inch and a half thick. Very appealing.

S- Roast malts, delicious smelling chocolate and dry stout aroma. Appealing.

T- Less rich than Guinness, but similar in many ways. Perhaps more hoppy, but still rich and creamy malts. Not tremendously well developed. Drinkable and dry.

M- Dry, creamy. Good.

O- Still not as good as Guinness, but a very tasty Irish Stout.

Serving type: nitro-can

11-01-2012 02:25:33 | More by Murrhey

Finn

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This pours a typical jet-black for the style, with the nice off-white creamy head on top. aroma is mellow, slightly roasty and slightly sour and husky. Flavor is very on par: mellow roasted malts with a hint of sweetness behind it all, and a touch tangy. finishes with a creamy mild coffee note. This is very drinkable and for the style very good. I keep coming back to this as a subtle, but tasty stout to have on hand when I want a simple, comforting beer.

Serving type: nitro-can

10-12-2012 01:43:40 | More by Finn

Dave1999

Virginia

3.18/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a very dark red almost black with an off white head.

The smell is roasted malts and coffee.

The taste is roasted malts with maybe a tinge of bitterness but pretty week and watery.

The mouthfeel is creamy and smooth but a touch watery.

Looks nice and smells good but tastes and feels weak and watery. Won't buy again.

Serving type: nitro-can

10-03-2012 00:24:04 | More by Dave1999

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Black with super fine creamy nitro head.

S: slight roast. Some cream in there. A little coffee. Not very powerful but nice.

T: Has a great creaminess too it. Also the roast comes through and theres a little coffee bitterness but it isn't offputting.

M: Pretty hard to go wrong with nitro. Sits a little light but otherwise creamy texture is great.

Overall it's like a better Guinness. The bitterness is complimentary rather than overpowering and the light flavor notes are pleasing. After drinking so many fancy bears this was a great break. A very pleasant light beer. I will be seeking out more cans.

Serving type: nitro-can

09-27-2012 23:22:47 | More by Jamesthebrit

tectactoe

Michigan

3.31/5  rDev -11%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Had in a nitro-can poured into a glass. The color is very dark with a creamy head that was a pale shade of tan. The nitro-can aids in the creation of a head comprised of very fine bubbles that will last forever. The beer is a bit thin but the head helps it feel creamy and smooth, and the carbonation isn't very impeding (or very noticeable at all for that matter). Roasted grains and coffee flavored, overall kind of weak but very easy to drink. I like to think of this as a "better" version of the Guinness Draught that many places sell.

Overall, this is a decent Irish stout which is readily available at many places. At only 4% ABV, it makes for a great session beer that can be knocked back with ease. Plus, it tastes pretty good.

Serving type: nitro-can

09-25-2012 03:40:18 | More by tectactoe

JamesHenjum

Florida

2.33/5  rDev -37.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A: This beer poors just like Guinness. Dark with a great creamy head and amazing lacing.

S: Smells like creamy coffee and chocolate.

T: More bitter than Guinness. Similar coffee and chocolate notes. Less toffee and more coffee than with Guinness. It is bitter throughout cutting out a lot of flavors.

M: Very creamy. Full bodied beer. Or close to it.

O: I prefer Guinness more. This wasn't as watery, but the bitterness got in the way of the flavor for me.

Serving type: nitro-can

09-21-2012 00:14:24 | More by JamesHenjum

ACD

3.93/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

nitro-can poured into a pint glass

appearance- like Guinness from the nitro can pours into a pint glass very nicely and looks picture perfect!

smell- traditional stout

taste- smooth and creamy. A much easier drinking beer than I thought it would be. Overall I would even say if I had my choice I would pick Murphy's over a Guinness. seems a bit smoother and creamier

mouthfeel- again sticking to why I end up liking a beer. It is incredibly smooth and easy to drink

overall- A great stout and also great as 1/2 of a black & tan. Perfect for a cold winter night or whenever you want to sip a fine stout and relax

Serving type: nitro-can

09-19-2012 13:29:03 | More by ACD

TehParabox

2.48/5  rDev -33.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Nice thick head dense head. Dark brown as with most porters and stouts. light shines through the bottom of the glass. Evident of very caramel dark brown color. Nice lacing.

Smell: Rich coffee and chocolate. Nothing strong. Very low key on the aroma.

Taste: Has a tinge of chocolate and coffee. Has a bit of sweetness that's pretty good. Bitter finish..and aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: It has a very creamy start..has a pretty good finish. Not as dense as I would expect.

Overall: It's good..but not great. I enjoyed it. Definitely something good to pick up on and enjoy.

Serving type: nitro-can

09-14-2012 06:57:05 | More by TehParabox

Josiah2729

Tennessee

4.05/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nitro Can poured into pint glass...

Appearance: Dark black with creamy head that dissipates with time. Excellent lacing all the way down.

Smell: Dark rich coffee all the way!

Taste: Dark coffee, classic irish stout flavor, hint of dark chocolate.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and rich up front, a little weak and watery on the finish.

Overall: Great beer, if it wasn't for the watery finish, would be excellent.

Serving type: nitro-can

08-28-2012 06:46:22 | More by Josiah2729

The_1084

3.98/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: black with some very faint ruby hues around the edge; 1.5 finger creamy head that sticks around for the finish; great lacing

S: blend of coffee and chocolate with the coffee becoming more dominant as the beer warms

T: follows the nose well with a bitter aftertaste

M: surprisingly thin texture, almost watery; medium carbonation

O: this beer is a little too watery in texture for my personal preference, otherwise it's an excellent stout; I think "light stout" describes this beer well and it would probably be a good introductory beer for someone who is just branching over into the world of stouts

Serving type: nitro-can

08-15-2012 03:17:05 | More by The_1084

vinhgoh

3/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is a very safe stout to try for new stout drinkers. The taste isn't too coffee-like nor chocolate-like.

Personally, I like the dense chocolate, creamy texture. This one is more of the mild side.

If there was a stout to just drink easily without much thought, this would be it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-04-2012 08:25:17 | More by vinhgoh