Beamish Irish Stout - Beamish & Crawford Plc.

Joost

4.71/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Tasted this in various pubs in Cork, Ireland. Be sure to drink this in pubs like the Welcome Inn to get the full Irish experience.

Lots more taste than Guinness. And yes, it is better than Murphy's.

That said, Guinness is ok for a night of drinking, but Beamish is Stout how it's ment to be.

Buy it. Buy it now.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2013 20:21:29 | More by Joost

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Dark brown-black pour, nitro bubbles cascaded along the glass, settling as a firm, creamy, tan cap that retained well. Roasted malts in the nose, coffee notes, and not much else. Pretty standard stuff for the style. Taste was malty and dry, woody, coffee bitterness, and some unsweetened chocolate. Pretty smooth mouthfeel, medium body, a decent beer. The poor man's Guinness.

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-10-2013 05:09:51 | More by Rifugium

Iztok

Slovenia

4.6/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I'm not by any means a professional reviewer. I'm just writing this review, because I want people to try this excellent stout if they are in Ireland. You can't get it in our country at all (you can get Guinness on tap just fine).

I had this everyday for two weeks while I was in Dublin, and it's pretty much one of the main reasons why I would want to go back.

A: It looks simply awesome. Deep brown/blackish with a semi thick head.
S: You can smell ground coffee mostly, it's not very distinct.
T: It's never watery, always full taste with freshly brewed coffee in the back, retains the taste all through the pint.

I was expecting Guinness to steal the show, because I heard it was much better in Ireland, but that just wasnt' the case. It didn't taste any different then at home. Beamish is a stellar Irish Stout, and probably the best local beer you can have. Don't miss it.

I'm sorry if my review wasn't any good, It's just a layman's opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2012 18:49:04 | More by Iztok

sfprint

Germany

4.35/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had immediately after a guinness on tap in Dublin Ireland
Reviewed July 15th, 2012

A: Head a hair more porous than the Guinness, but also extremely creamy though a hair less.
S: Red ale, a hair tart with some cream brought, bright on top
T: In the direction of a red ale, feels more alcoholic than the guinness, there's a bit of pepper spice in it, flavor is more forward, toastedness is clear with a bit of tang.
M: pretty smooth with a little zip of carbonation.
O: Combination of "cream" and "red" ale qualities.

Serving type: nitro-tap

07-20-2012 14:32:09 | More by sfprint

hoserking

California

3.43/5  rDev -10%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Located this at Peters Pub in Dublin after searching at all the pubs I had been to.

From a outside perspective prior to taste this could be Guinness.

Once you taste it, it clearly is not Guinness. Quite a bit more hop bitterness and a ton more strong porter like flavors. Lots of coffee and dryness. I enjoyed having something other than Guinness and I would drink it again. If we had the option in the states, I'd probably just drink Guinness.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2012 10:38:02 | More by hoserking

stoutman

Michigan

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

On tap. Roasted and heavy malt aromas. Pours black, with a nice tan head, long-lasting, creamy, some lacework. Medium body and low carbonation. Taste is malty, coffee, chocolate and some roasty. Nice dry finish. Looks like a stout should, with a fine off white thick head, which stays until the last drop of beer has gone. Quite a nice beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2012 13:23:03 | More by stoutman

160Shillings

North Carolina

4.78/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served from a nitro tap into a pint glass.
Aroma: The aroma is espresso-like roasted barley with hints of cocoa. You’ll be surprised by how strong the aroma is from this relatively low alcohol session beer, truly amazing.
Appearance: Pours with a thick, creamy, light brown head that collapses only slightly and last until the bottom of the glass leaving rings of brown lace along the way. The color is an opaque black with dark brown highlights.
Flavor: The flavor is a mouth filling wave of roasted grain, dry with medium hop bitterness that does not interfere with the roasted barley flavor. Espresso and cocoa linger into a dry finish.
Mouthfeel: Creamy medium-light body with low carbonation.
Overall Impression: This beer is a show case of what can be done with unmalted barley. The roasted barley give a wonderful roasted espresso, cocoa flavor and the flaked barley in combination with the nitrogen draft gives a lush creamy character.
Comments: If Guinness is the benchmark, this stout exceeds the mark on all accounts but one; the lactic acid sourness. I know my Irish cousins will scream heresy, but in all honesty, this beer is better than Guinness and makes Murphy’s seem like a poor excuse for stout. The only thing I can think of that would make this beer better is a good soft lactobacillus culture.

Serving type: nitro-tap

03-10-2012 04:10:38 | More by 160Shillings

Ruds

United Kingdom (England)

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at Murphy's Bar, High Street Galway, Eire into a Beamish pint glass

Dark black with a finger of off-white head.

Nice aroma from this stout, roasted malt and a fair dose of coffee, packs a punch to the nose when contrasted with Guinness!

Good rich roasted malt taste a little smokey perhaps and still that hint of coffee coming over and throw in a little chocolate

Thinnish in body, creamy in the mouth, went down well

In summary this was the first time I'd had a pint of Beamish for some 15 years or so and I quite enjoyed it

This was partly due to a succession of 'ok' pints of it's blander cousin Guinness, but next time in the 'old country' I will definetly seek Beamish out again!

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2012 21:00:37 | More by Ruds

MAB

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I have to give high marks to this stout. It was better than the Guinness that I got while at the Guinness Brewery.
A- Perfect, for a stout.
S- Roasted barley/ coffee. Obvious.
T- Smooth and delicious. The roasted malt comes through and the sweetness follows it.
M- Perfectly carbonated. Great serving temperature helped.
O- Very impressive. I want another. Six.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2011 20:58:48 | More by MAB

RedBiddy

Oregon

4.4/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Breakfast. The beautiful lass that poured this as my breakfast will, no doubt, skew my review. I wrote our initials in the thick head. As I quaffed this brew the initials survived to the bottom of the glass. I swear I could taste banana. Slightly sweet, heavenly aroma, the tantalizing flavors danced on all areas of my tongue with the exception of sour. Whoops! Time for brunch...I'll have another!

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 18:36:57 | More by RedBiddy

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

This beer poured out as a deep black color with a creamy surging head on top. These beers look beautiful every time. The lacing is just like a Guinness or Murphy's. The smell is a toasted and earthy. The flavor is roasted with a good amount of nut and earthy flavors. The mouthfeel is creamy and smooth. Overall this beer is one I would love to have again. I had one can of this in 2008 and kind of miss it. One day it'll find it's way back to my fridge.

Serving type: nitro-can

07-19-2011 16:24:52 | More by Knapp85

LXIXME

New Mexico

4.53/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big light tan head falls through itself into a clear black colored stout.

Rich roasted to smokey roasted malt aroma.

The taste is the same think smokey roasted coffee and chocolate mixed malts. A very full bodied beer with a nice head that settles into a very nice lacing.

A pleasant dry roasted coffeeish aftertaste.

Now this is beer, damn good stuff, I got to try this with a scoop of Ice Cream, probably end up being my favorite dessert.

Serving type: can

07-19-2011 11:45:45 | More by LXIXME

bro2baseball

New Hampshire

4.3/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Out of the "Big 3" in Ireland (Guinness, Murphy's, and Beamish), Beamish is definitely my favorite.

A- Nothing looks better than a properly poured stout.
S- Smokey, roasted.
T- Tastes like it smells. Delicious.
M-Nice and smooth. Not a heavy heavy beer but each sip has some heft to it.

I lived in Cork Ireland for 6 months and had literally hundreds of these on tap. Absolutely love it. I've also had it from the can a few times, and while still good, it's not the same, of course. If you're ever in southern Ireland do yourself a favor and have the local brew.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2011 20:46:43 | More by bro2baseball

BrianBoruma

California

3.15/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had on Nitro Tap at a Bar in Dublin -- The Black Lion

A: Coal black liquid with ruby highlights when held to the light. A finger thick layer of head that left a lot of lacing down the glass.

S: Slight spicy and fruit aromas, they were hard to perceive given the thick nitro head.

T: Sweet, some very subtle spicy notes that I assume are esters, and mild roasted notes, not as much as I would expect from the style but pleasant.

M: Full and creamy, effect of the nitro. Can't really feel the carbonation.

O: Pleasant, not something I want everyday but pleasant.

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-08-2011 07:57:50 | More by BrianBoruma

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 440ml nitro-can into a pint glass. This stout poured a deep brown/black color with a thick, creamy, tan, nitro induced head that would not fade. Some light lacing was left around the glass. The aroma of this stout consisted of both sweet and roasted malt, mild coffee, and a few chocolate notes. The flavor was very creamy with notes of light milk chocolate and coffee. The roasted malt flavor was very mild when compared to other dry stouts. The mouthfeel was light-bodied with typical nitro creaminess and minimal carbonation. This was a decent, and very sessionable stout.

Serving type: nitro-can

02-08-2011 14:52:41 | More by CuriousMonk

LukeK1231

New York

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had @ The Comet in Santry, Dublin.

Similar to Guinness in appearance and initial taste. However, Beamish has an almost spicy finish and its drinkability is not as high as Guinness.

Overall a great Irish Stout and a nice change from Guinness (and I think cheaper 3.50 euro vs. 4.50 euro for Guinness)

Serving type: nitro-tap

01-28-2011 20:12:35 | More by LukeK1231

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: onyx body with oatmeal one finger head, nice lacing.

S: roasted barley + nuts, slightly smokey aroma.

T: same as nose, but include mild chocolate flavor.

M: nice smooth med/heavy body stout. very little carbonation.

D: If you like Guinness, give this a try. Personally, I prefer this stout over Guinness, but maybe I'm saying that since I have had tons of Guinness and only about 8 of these in my life.
I could drink no more than a few in a sitting.

Serving type: nitro-can

01-05-2011 17:49:58 | More by BeerLover99

ThirstyBird

Germany

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a very dark brown/black with a large creamy tan head that stays aloft forever. The nose is a sweet malt, chocolate, a little roast, coffee. The taste is close to the nose but the roast is a bit more forward in the flavor. A bit dry and slightly bitter on the back end.

The mouthfeel is fairly thin and creamy - that sounds like a contradiction but I am sticking to my statement. Overall easily drinkable and pleasant.

Serving type: nitro-can

12-30-2010 02:46:32 | More by ThirstyBird

samie85

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours a really dark black with a one finger, light brown head.

S-Roasted barley with some very faint smoked notes... overall a pretty faint bouquet.

T-Roasted barley upfront with a little dark chocolate and finishes dry, roasty, and clean.

M-Really smooth and creamy from the nitrogen, with a light body and finishes dry in the mouth.

D-A pretty nice Dry Stout that's light enough to have a couple of, but complex enough that it's not boring.

Serving type: nitro-can

09-20-2010 03:13:50 | More by samie85

kojevergas

California

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Poured from a 500ml can into a (non-real) pint glass in low altitude Galway, Ireland on September 18th, 2010. Pours a luscious creamy dark tan with a wonderfully creamy head and a dazzling display of rising and falling bubbles. A two finger thick head retains very well, holding itself up for three minutes. Very appealing beer; I can't wait to take a sip.

Smell: Smells of cream, toffee, a little coffee, and a little chocolate. An appealing scent, but I'm not drooling like I do with Guinness.

Taste: A simple cream opening into one note of vague roast and a relatively empty body that transitions well to an average finish. For what it is, it's well balanced, but I'd like to see more complexity of flavour and taste multiple notes of what I detect in the smell. It would be nice if the opening cream flavour were enhanced in a manner akin to Belhaven.

Mouthfeel: A bit too smooth on the palate even for its cream overtone. I tend to like my finishes a bit more dry but also more refreshing. That said, it is a successful mouthfeel for an Irish stout and I appreciate what they're trying to do.

Drinkability: Guinness draught has a definite leg up with its multiple notes and flavors, all of which are balanced better. If you're after an Irish stout, you're best off reaching for Guinness.

Serving type: nitro-can

09-18-2010 15:55:15 | More by kojevergas

subyman

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I experienced a Beamish on tap (many times) when I took a trip to Ireland last summer. It was my favorite of the "Big Three" in Ireland and is a must have on tap on the Emerald Isle at least once in a lifetime. Sadly, it is no longer exported to the US as of this review on tap.

Appearance- Wonderful appearance just like both Murphy and Guinness. This is the staple look for a stout beer. Dark, dark body with a very creamy tan head. In a cold pint glass, its a thing of beauty. The ceremony around letting the head form is also a great experience.

Smell- Very malty, can smell a hint of the burnt hops. Slightly yeasty smell coming from the head.

Taste- The creamy head touches the upper lip and the beer hits the tongue, then there is a flood of cooling and refreshing Irish heritage bursting onto the palette. Deep malt, slightly burnt hops and nuts, but very smooth and extremely balanced.

Mouthfeel- Feels wonderful and flows very well. Medium bodied, but drinks like a lighter beer. It feels like a stout should with a very smooth finish.

Drinkability- Its a heavier beer in the stomach. It can be enjoyed over a lengthy period of time, but can make one feel full if taken too quickly. The smooth and lighter feel while drinking can confuse one into drinking too much at once and can give a full stomach quite fast.

Overall, a great beer and highly recommended to any stout lover.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2010 01:26:23 | More by subyman

IronLover

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Dark brown to black in color with a thick, foamy, light beige nitro-head. Sweet, smokey, roasted malt, and toffee aromas. Light bodied, very low carbonation, a bit of a creamy buttery feel. Roasted malt and caramel flavors with a lightly bitter and dry finish. Not bad. Seems to be true to the style. I'm not a big fan of the low carbonation ales. Aside from the beautiful pour and impressive head retention, the nitro beers just don't do it for me.

Serving type: nitro-can

09-15-2010 13:18:31 | More by IronLover

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

2.95/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A dark, yet thin appearance, dark brown, cream off beige head, ample. Great cascade effect going on, almost a 5 except for the watery appearance. A bit of a smoky feel to the aroma.

Taste, amazingly thin, and keeps getting thinner. Very creamy for the lack of thickness, a smooth, smoky, thin stout without any degree of bitterness of hops. But throughout, its just tough to get over the thin body for this beer. Makes it more drinkable, but the difficulty in finding this stuff, as well as the price, makes it a little cost prohibitive for something this thin.

Serving type: nitro-can

08-29-2010 03:14:53 | More by Beerandraiderfan

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours attractively with a good show. Dense, thick tan head, caps a black drink in my SN "tulip" glass.
More faint nitro aroma than others. Nice dark roast with a hint of sweetness bordering on chocolate with bit so coffee. Nice.
The body and taste are both very light and soft. The nice soft hop flavors and prominent bitterness are most distinctive and apparent. There are mild roast flavors with hints of what was more apparent in the aroma, although the nice chocolate strengthens with warming - and rather nicely I'd say.
Drinks very well and easily.
Thanks #1 for the sample.

Serving type: nitro-can

08-29-2010 02:55:16 | More by garymuchow

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

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

594 reviews and NO picture?!? What?

Unlike last night's Guinness, this CAN actually had the following disclaimer: "This [CAN CAN]tains a floating widget which may rattle. Do not shake before opening." Yeah, I really like to give my CANs of beer a good shake just before I spray the CANtents all over everything. What kind of a jagov do yinz take me for, 'n' 'at?!? Jeez-O, man, I'm foolish, but not like that. At least I had fair warning - that CAN of Guinness last night gave me nightmares about what might have come flying out of the CAN at me. A mouse, a hunk of shrapnel, a CANnon ball, it could have been anything. Geez, I need a beer to steady my nerves. Thank Bob it's New Beer Sunday (Week 286)!

From the CAN: "To appreciate the smooth taste and creamy head of Beamish Stout serve chilled and pour in one smooth action." I'm gonna need some help, here. I'm as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room filled with rocking chairs combined with Ron Jeremy's virginal fiancee on their wedding night. That rattling Guinness CAN last night has mentally scarred me for life!

Gah! There was a hissing sound when I cracked the CAN open that made me think that Ruthie's Evil Kitty (kudos if you know that allusion) might be in there too! I had to pull up a little on the smooth pouring action as it was dangerously close to spilling over the lip of my glass. I ended up with a finger of thick mocha-colored head with fantastic retention. Success, no? Color was a deep, dark brown or black with ZERO light penetration. Nose had a pleasant smoky, burnt charcoal scent. Beef! That is what is needed here. Mouthfeel was full and creamy with a smoky, slightly burnt flavor on the tongue. Oh my, Spring House's Smoked Porter yesterday, now this. How CAN I go back to crappy AALs? Finish was dry, smoky, roasty, reinforcing my claim that my earlier characterization of Hakone Fusai Stout was a sweet stout was correct. This was the opposite end of the stout spectrum. Sticky lacing throughout.

Beamish or Guinness in an N2 CAN? Beamish! I CAN sleep better now.

A quote from Lewis Carroll : "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my BEAMISH boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!" he chortled in his joy.

Serving type: nitro-can

08-08-2010 18:41:59 | More by woodychandler