Murphy's Irish Red - Murphy Brewery Ireland Limited

DavidS88

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Murphy's Irish Red ale is the second Irish red I've ever had; the first was Newcastle Werewolf, so I'm yet to try anything in that style that has completely blown me away. Nonetheless. Murphy's is a good ale overall. Poured on draft, Murphy's didn't have the red color that defines a true red ale. It was more a dark copper, with maybe a few hints of red. It had a nice creamy white head on top of about a finger and a half that stuck around the entire time I drank it. On the nose was hints of grass and some woody aromas; it lacked any strong hop or malt smells. The taste was pretty much the same as the nose, with nothing really apparent that was overwhelming but definitely some subtle hops and grass. The ale was crisp, clean, and refreshing. Not a bad brew at all, but nothing truly spectacular either. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2013 16:35:57 | More by DavidS88

RaphaelSC

Brazil

3.9/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pour a red amber color with a little with head and low retention.

S: woody and bread smell.

T: Watery in the beggining, but a mild bitterness came with a dry finish.

M: Dry and bitter afterfeel with a little floral feeling. Very drinkable and very balanced beer!

O: A good red beer that is worth what it costs.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 06:22:43 | More by RaphaelSC

abijen

Netherlands

3.33/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Aroma: some kind of woody smell. Appearance: Amber/red color, clear liquid. The head is minimal white/tan. Taste: light bitterness and light sourness which finish a bit salty. An average duration Palate: light body, oily texture and a average carbonation Overall: a nice pub beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 08:40:49 | More by abijen

IrishRacer

Indiana

4.18/5  rDev +31%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This Dutch-Irish Red poors nice, but is a little lighter than I like my Red's. It gathers a well developed blonde head, though, and drinks smooth.
This is a nice Red, although if I close my eyes and think "Heineken", I taste a Heineken. I'd like to side-by-side with a true Irish pub-tapped pint...

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 00:56:08 | More by IrishRacer

beergoot

Colorado

3.56/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Two+ finger thick rocky, creamy white head sitting atop a reddish copper body. There is a basic and pleasing malt/hop aroma; faintly floral. Very nice sweet, grainy taste with a nicely complementary, subtle hop bitterness. Body leans towards a light-medium feel; clean, crisp, and dry.

I get the "tea-like" flavor in the generic Irish red ale description posted on BA and find this to be very satisfying for the style. There is a nice balance to this subtle, understated beer. Probably not what a fan of US west coast-styled IPAs would like, but certainly for someone looking for a mild yet distinctive beer. I'd certainly enjoy knocking back a few more...

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 01:06:04 | More by beergoot

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.33/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

It was pouring okay, then it just foamed up really quickly. The color is a amber to red.
The aroma is crushed grain and a mild caramel.
The taste has a watery start, mild bitterness in the middle, finishes with a mild sweetness. Unoffensive.
The texture is crisp with moderate carbonation.
Nothing special, but an easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 02:31:18 | More by Fatehunter

UCLABrewN84

California

3.54/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear orange with a foamy khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Thin foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of toasted malt, caramel, and a slight hop aroma. Taste is much the same with a toasted bread flavor on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a pretty good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is nothing all that special, but it is solid and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 04:55:26 | More by UCLABrewN84

FLima

Brazil

3.48/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Nice amber red color. Made a thin head with short duration
Predominant sweet malt aroma, caramel and toasted malts.
Taste is similar with toasted malts, caramels with some herbal and floral hops. Fairly sweet, but zesty at the same time. Aftertaste is mildly bitter, dry and astringent.
Light body with strong carbonation and medium size bubbles. Well balanced beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 23:33:44 | More by FLima

dictatorial

4.23/5  rDev +32.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pretty great beer. I got a single bottle and drank it from a large mug. The appearance was a beautiful red with vibrant carbonation, the smell was great and the taste was, to me, above average. It left no bad after taste and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I still don't know the exact alcohol content as it is not labeled on the bottle, but it is a really great beer. Overall, great beer and I would recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 00:29:14 | More by dictatorial

Bishop_Collar

3.43/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Beer poured a copper color with three fingers of fluffy off white head. Good carbonation was noted with some patchy lacing.

Smell: Picked up a minerally aroma off this one, like an iron smell.

Taste: Yeasty flavor with a nice malt character. The minerally aroma did not follow to the palate. Some sweetness noted when it warmed up.

Mouthfeel: Medium mouthfeel with noted carbonation.

Overall: I enjoyed this one. I recently tried the Newcastle Werewolf Red Blood Ale and was very disappointed. This one had more flavor and was not as watery.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 23:28:09 | More by Bishop_Collar

augustgarage

California

3.28/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Samuel Smith nonic.

An "Irish Red Ale" that is actually a mass market lager?

Pale, clear, rusty burnt orange body with no head. Virtually no lacing. Meh.

Clean vaguely toasty aroma with hints of kettle caramelization.

There is a pleasing maltiness on the palate. Initial sweetness is washed away by a toasted corn tortilla flavor - odd but not entirely unpleasant. Finishes clean and moderately dry. Very low bitterness throughout.

Brisk, light-bodied, albeit sort of flaccid feel.

A bit dull, and a poor value, but easy drinking and with a hint of character hiding in there somewhere.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 06:34:05 | More by augustgarage

kylehay2004

Florida

3.13/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: single finger head on a copper-amber clear body and scant lacing.

S: very sweet aroma from the caramel malts. burnt toast notes.

T: less sweet than was expected from the aroma. otherwise this one is simple with grain, caramel malts and toasted notes.

M: slight bitterness affects the drinkability. medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: standard for the style but little that sets it apart from the mainstream irish reds.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 14:47:53 | More by kylehay2004

DM1293

California

3.13/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Tastes comes across as toasty malt, but its fairly light and leads quickly into a faint dry finish. A little bit sweet as well. Mouthfeel is a little bit sediment-y.

Overall, its an average, highly drinkable red. Nothing really makes it remarkable or bad, and it goes down easy. But its not a great stand-alone beer to drink with. Safe to try, but if you have a better red as your go-to, this probably won't convince you to switch to it.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 02:50:22 | More by DM1293

Kendo

New York

3.03/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured - on Saint Patrick's Day, 2012 - from the funny-shaped bottle into a pint glass. Body is oddly coppery-amber and crystal clear. Small off-white head on top. Some lace.

S: Sweet malt and husky grain.

T: Sweet with some grainy malt. Slightly minerally bitterness and a fairly dry finish lead to a slightly metallic aftertaste.

F: Body is light, carbonation is modest.

O: Not a fan. Too sweet. Drain pour halfway through.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 01:58:07 | More by Kendo

soju6

Missouri

3/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Pours a copper color with a small head that fades to bits of lacing.

S: Mild aroma of sweetness some grain and bit of malt.

T: Mild tasting beer with a light malt sweetness, no real bitterness and a fairly dry finish.

F: Light body, smooth and fairly bland.

O: A very non-offensive beer that goes down easy. Goes best with food.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 22:05:38 | More by soju6

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A stickler might complain that Murphy's Red Ale is actually more orangey-brown in colour. Fair enough, considering there really isn't any red in it. There also isn't a trace of froth or lace to bear testament to the soundtrack of crackling bubbles that ensued from the pour, despite that carbonation is plainly visible in the body of the beer.

The nose is a tad syrupy with a cereal-y sweetness reminiscent of poorer (often Latin American) examples of Vienna lagers. Although generally clean smelling, it does have a bit of buttery popcorn note. Void of pretty much any toast, toffee, or hop character, it becomes apparent that is a lager and not an ale. It is painfully dull.

There's more body and flavor appreciated on the palate, but not a significant amount enough to warrant a higher score. A more bready (as oppose to corn syrupy) taste emerges and with it some of the toast and toffee elements so desired (only "some", mind you, not all). The light roasted grain flavor is glossed over by low levels of diacetyl.

It's either a bit of hard, copper-y water minerals or some English hop flavor, but something gives this a surprisingly refreshing finish. Good carbonation and lagering obviously help too. While I'm quite unimpressed by Murphy's Red Ale, it might not actually be a beer I'd hesitate to order if in the right social setting. It is, as the kids say, just "aight".

Some will argue Murphy's Red as a quintessential example of its style. That argument must surely be based on the merit of its lineage rather than its actual qualities (it's like a king ruling the country because of his genealogy, rather than his credentials). This very well may be how the Irish now brew their reds. And if so, others are now doing it much better.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 17:29:39 | More by biegaman

secondtooth

Indiana

3/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Clean amber, with a huge head of creamy white foam. Lace is spotty, but present nonetheless.

Nose is grainy and yeasty, with a hint of buttery tone somehow. Hmm.

Flavor is mild and malty. I get a bit of citrus hops in the middle, but it's quite subtle. Finishes sweet and pretty overbearing, though. Fair to average, overall.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 00:36:50 | More by secondtooth

57md

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours reddish-copper with a healthy finger of head that dissipates quickly. There are spicy notes in the nose. The flavor is light, but there is still a healthy dose of malt anyway. The finish is dry. Decent beer to session, but nothing here to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 04:38:03 | More by 57md

blakelive784

Colorado

2.3/5  rDev -27.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

12 fl oz brown glass bottle served in a snifter, reviewed live:

A - Pours a transparent amber/copper color with 2 fingers of decently creamy, just off-white head. Retention is average at best. Nothing special.

S - Heavy on the caramel. Toasted malts, musty/stale hops, and an almost mineral-y smell going for it. Mild to moderate in strength.

T - A really strange, muddy, and bland flavor carries the beer start to finish. It's a a strange blend of none too fresh hops, bland caramel, and water. Really odd and not very good. It finishes on the same mineral/medicinal taste present in the nose.

M - Light bodied, coarse, and dry on the finish. It's just all wrong.

D - Bland, uninspired, and just not real fun to drink. I'll pass on it.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 00:27:44 | More by blakelive784

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

2.65/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes.

Pours out a typical reddish-brown color with partial haze and a two finger eggshell colored head that persists for a minute or so, leaving behind mild lacing. Smell and flavor both have a strong presence of sweet malt with a buttery diacetyl structure and semi oily/buttery texture on a lighter body. Minimal to nonexistent hopping. Not a very memorable beer in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 08:36:41 | More by WastingFreetime

Douberd

Netherlands

3.35/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle of 300 ml, well, two actually, to fill the half litef Guinness glass I poured it into. ABV is 5,0%.

Colour is deep red/ light amber, with a nice three finger soapy head, with average retention. A minimal amount of bubbles rising to the surface. Foam leaves mo lacing behind it.
Aroma of roasted malts and light caramel.
Taste is also of roasted malts,some caramel sweetness and nice bitterness, bringing in mind dark chocolate. Some iron flavour on the aftertaste, that thankfully doesn't stay for long and is being overpowered by the bitterness.
Thin to medium body and light carbonation.
Overall not bad.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 20:50:19 | More by Douberd

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.3/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Burnt red, thin white head. Steely caramel with a hint roast like barely burned toast. Some coarse earthy bitterness livens it up just a bit. Mouthfeel falls off at the end leaving a thin impression. There are plenty of better beers, but this beer tends to show up in places with poor selection so I end up drinking a pint every once in awhile.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2012 20:29:16 | More by bump8628

chinchill

South Carolina

3/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Distinctive brown bottle (with different label than on BA), emptied into a pint glass.

Crystal clear brown beer, leaning more towards orange than red, and topped by a generous if short-lived tan head.

The aroma and taste are a bit odd but seem familiar. Examining the label I see this is a Heineken product, then it hits me ... this tastes a lot like Heineken, at least a lot more than an Irish red ale should. Only the slightest skunkiness here, until the finish; less than a typical US bottle of Heineken. There is a much strengthened and improved malt profile, again in comparison to a standard Heineken lager.

Decent mouthfeel with good carbonation. Medium body, Semi-dry finish.

O: So what we have here is something more like a (Heineken, if there were one) amber than a traditional Irish red. Frankly, I think Coors (Killians) makes a better Irish red.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 01:13:40 | More by chinchill

rwrk42

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an amber reddish color with some nice head
Smell: Nice smell a caramel malt. Typicaly irish ale smell.
Taste: Nice taste with a good caramel malt flavor. Finishes nice with a good balance. Very smooth but was hoping for a bit more flavor.
A decent red which I recommend

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 01:58:05 | More by rwrk42

mjfisher

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

It poured to a nice head, yet quickly dissipated. It had and amber orange hue color, which is probably where the RED comes from. It had almost no aroma to it at all. Given the appearance I wasn't expecting much in taste. However I was pleasantly surprised with the initial gulp. It had a nice "beer" taste going down, but the after taste it what struck me. It had that distinct malty taste I was looking for. It almost resembles a domestic light beer in taste with a darker appearance.

Many more to go down.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 21:33:22 | More by mjfisher