MURPHY’S IRISH STOUT
InBev
Ireland, 4% ABV
In the style of Family Fortunes we asked 100 people to name an Irish drink and the top answer was..? Yep, when you think of Ireland and you think of booze the first thing that invariably comes to mind is the black and white behemoth that is Guinness. Any other Irish drink has to stand in its immense shadow and is consigned to finish second, at best, in any popularity poll (or be content to play Buzz Aldrin to Guinness’s Neil Armstrong, if you will). That said, Murphy’s is a drink that has managed to carve its own niche amongst stout drinkers, and is now sold in over 40 countries around the world. And it’s no Johnny-come-lately either, as it was first brewed in Ireland back in 1856 with the Murphy Brewery recently celebrating 150 years in the business of serving up the foamy stuff. But just how does Murphy’s square up against Guinness? Well, many would attest to the fact that it is has a nuttier flavour than its more famous counterpart and that it also has a slight hint of coffee. There’s also a matter of the aftertaste which isn’t as bitter as you’ll find with Guinness, something which the brand have played on with their ‘Like the Murphy’s, I’m not bitter’ advertising campaign, which has certainly paid dividends in getting the drink noticed, especially in the US. The bottom line is: it’s not Guinness, but it’s not bad. RM
