Stout drinkers in the UK are only just discovering another beer that is set to rival Guinness – after a nationwide shortage caused chaos last Christmas.
Murphy’s Irish Stout, which is brewed in Cork, Ireland, was created in 1856 – over a decade before Guinness – and has been a firm favourite in Ireland for decades.
Now it appears that British stout fans, many of whom have been Guinness loyalists, are developing a taste for the smooth, rich beverage with notes of coffee and chocolate.
For over 100 years, Murphy’s was brewed independently at Lady’s Well Brewery, Cork, before it was acquired by Heineken in 1983.
According to the Irish Examiner, the demand for Murphy’s in the UK skyrocketed over the Christmas period as supply issues with Guinness boosted sales for its rival stout.
Figures released by Heineken showed demand for Murphy’s rose by 632 per cent in December 2024.
In addition to supply, continued price hikes from Guinness manufacturer Diage, also helped smaller rivals rise up the ranks of the international market.
According to the brewer, sales of Murphy’s rose by 176 per cent overall last year, with a further increase of 236 per cent in the independent free trade sales.
Stout drinkers are only now discovering another Irish favourite beer which is set to rival Guinness in the UK (stock image)
According to the brewer, sales of Murphy’s rose by 176 percent overall last year, with a further increase of 236 percent in the independent free trade sales
‘These outstanding sales figures go to show demand for stout among UK pub-goers is in no way slowing down, while an increasing number are eager to discover stouts outside beyond the market leader,’ a spokesperson for Murphy’s UK told the Irish Examiner.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Padraig Brady of Irish pub Mulligans in Manchester, and self proclaimed Guinness expert revealed the difference in the two stouts.
He said: ‘Murphy’s delivers an authentic, high-quality alternative to the market leader, with a smoother, slightly sweeter flavour profile that’s especially appealing to those who find Guinness’ coffee-like bitterness a little too intense.
‘We wanted to offer our customers more choice, and Murphy’s felt like the perfect fit. It’s an iconic Irish name and a truly traditional pint, ideal for enjoying while soaking up the atmosphere of Mulligans and our daily live music line up.’
While Guinness dominated Dublin and international exports, Murphy’s, which was founded by James Jeremiah Murphy, built a loyal following in the south of Ireland – especially in Cork.
By the early 20th century, Murphy’s had become a regional institution, sponsoring sports teams and hosting local events alike.
The rise in Murphy’s UK sales was a direct result of Guinness supply issues over Christmas, when shoppers stripped Tesco and other supermarkets bare after some pubs ran dry of the black stuff amid a buying boom.
Guinness brewer Diageo said supermarkets and off-licences had seen a 22 per cent increase in Guinness can and bottle sales, the most recent available data showed
Murphy’s Irish Stout, which is brewed in Cork, Ireland, was created in 1856, 12 years before Guinness, and has been a firm favourite in Ireland for decades (stock image)
Guinness brewer Diageo said supermarkets and off-licences had seen a 22 per cent increase in can and bottle sales, according to the the most recent available data.
A Diageo spokesperson said at the time: ‘We are working closely to manage Guinness distribution and ensure we maximise supply and minimise disruptions for retailers and pubs.’
Some pubs ran out of Guinness during December after the sales surge was triggered by the stout’s increased popularity with younger drinkers.
The boom was partially driven by a viral game where a drinker tries to ‘split the G’ by supping down to name on the pint glass in the first gulp.
The beloved party trick involves drinking the stout until the line of liquid has reached the correct spot, which is the half way mark of the G embellished on a Guinness pint glass.
Guinness was created after Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on a brewery in Ireland in 1759.
Every year, people across the world drink more than 13 million pints of Guinness on average.
