6 Of The Best Irish Stouts (That Aren’t Guinness)

When it comes to Irish stout brands, one name towers above the rest—Guinness.

However, there’s a world of Irish stouts beyond the black stuff from St. James’s Gate, and plenty are worth wrapping your taste buds around.

While names like Beamish and Murphy’s might be familiar to some of you, I’m confident you’ll find a stout below that surprises you—or at least gives you a solid excuse to try something new.

The best Irish stout brands

While there are many beers like Guinness that aren’t stouts (e.g. Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale), this guide sticks strictly to the dark, creamy brews that share Guinness’s stout pedigree.

You’ll find the majority of Irish stout brands below available across the globe but note that some, e.g. Plain Porter, will only be available in Ireland.

1. Murphy’s Irish Stout

Murphy’s is the best Irish stout. The first time I ever tried Murphy’s was pure chance. A group of us were in O’Sullivan’s Pub in Crookhaven, Cork, having a bite to eat when a waiter dropped off two very creamy-looking pints to the table next to us.

For the next couple of minutes, we found ourselves side-eyeing them in silence. No words were needed—a mutual agreement had been made. As soon as our plates were cleared, we’d be ordering four of our own.

When the pints finally arrived, we took a moment to admire them, like four proud fathers. They were creamier than any we’d ever had.

About Murphy’s Irish stout

• Strength: 4% ABV
• Taste: Mildly sweet with roasted malt, coffee, and caramel notes
• Finish: Smooth and creamy with a subtle, slightly sweet aftertaste

2. O’Hara’s Stout

If you’re a fan of Ireland’s booming craft beer scene, chances are you’ve come across O’Hara’s from the Carlow Brewing Company. While best known for their craft beers, they also produce one of the finest dry stouts in the country.

O’Hara’s Stout was first brewed in 1999 and has since racked up its fair share of awards. I’ve had a few pints over the years, and like the stouts above, it’s smooth and full-bodied.

But where O’Hara’s stands out is in the taste. You get the rich coffee aromas you’d expect, but there’s also a distinct bitterness in the aftertaste that sets it apart.

I’ve only had this on draught, but you can find it bottled in some off-licences, too. That said, like all stouts, it’s best enjoyed straight from the tap.

About O’Hara’s Irish stout

• Strength: 4.3% ABV
• Taste: Rich roasted malt with coffee, light liquorice, and a hint of tart bitterness
• Finish: Dry and crisp with a lingering espresso-like bitterness

3. Beamish

Beamish was first brewed in the Beamish and Crawford brewery in Cork as far back as the late 1790s. In 1805, the brewery was the largest in Ireland and it was knocking out 100,000 barrels per year.

It wasn’t until many years later, in 1833, that it was overtaken by Guinness. Beamish boasts a smooth, velvety texture, rich roasted malt flavours, and a well-balanced bitterness that sets it apart from its rivals.

Now, a quick disclaimer—personally, I’m not a fan of Beamish. I find it far too bitter, with a smoky edge that just doesn’t sit right with my tastebuds.

However, it’s one of the most iconic Irish stout brands, with a legion of loyal drinkers who swear by its bold, bitter character.

About the Beamish Irish stout brand

• Strength: 4.1% ABV
• Taste: Bold roasted malt with subtle coffee and chocolate notes, balanced by a mild bitterness
• Finish: Smooth and creamy with a lingering, slightly dry roasted aftertaste

4. Black 16

I had one pint of Black 16 Stout at the Wicklow Brewery in 2017, and I’ve been talking about it ever since. Why just one, you ask? Well, unfortunately, it’s only available on draught at their pub, Mickey Finn’s—which is both a blessing and a curse.

Now, I drink Guinness 90% of the time, and I’ve had my fair share of disappointing stouts over the years. But this? This was different. It was velvety smooth, full-bodied, and rich with roasted coffee and chocolate notes.

Zero bitterness in the finish, just smooth and delicious from sip to swallow. If you ever find yourself near Mickey Finn’s, do yourself a favour and get a pint.

About Black 16 Stout

• Strength: 4.9% ABV
• Taste: Bold coffee and chocolate with a hint of nuttiness and balanced bitterness
• Finish: Smooth and slightly sweet with lingering roasted malt notes

5. Plain Porter

I’ve had more headaches over the years from nights spent drinking random craft Irish beers in the Porterhouse pub at the end (or maybe its the start?!) of Temple Bar in Dublin.

It wasn’t until I was there for a very random dinner one evening last winter that I saw an ad for their ‘Plain Porter’, so I gave it a lash!

Porterhouse Plain Porter is a globally recognised stout, winning the Best Stout in the World title at one point. This modern take on a classic porter is deeply aromatic, with rich roasted malts complemented by a late kettle hop for added complexity.

About Plain Porter

• Strength: 4.2% ABV
• Taste: Bold roasted malt with a dry, clean mouthfeel and a touch of bitterness
• Finish: Crisp and smooth with lingering roasted notes and subtle hop character

6. Forged Irish Stout

The newest addition to this guide to the best Irish stouts is Forged Irish Stout, which is brewed in Dublin at the Porterhouse Brewery, a name long associated with quality Irish craft beer.

This is a stout with presence—deep, dark, and smooth, it blends roasted malt richness with a creamy texture that lingers long after the last sip.

I was hesitant to try this one, as I’m not a fan of its owner. But the can I had recently was a surprise—it was incredibly smooth, with zero bitterness, and very much on par with Guinness in terms of texture and drinkability.

About Forged

• Strength: 4.2% ABV
• Taste: Bold roasted malt with coffee and dark chocolate undertones, balanced by a gentle bitterness
• Finish: Smooth, velvety, and slightly dry with a lingering malt sweetness

Related read: See our guide to the most famous Irish drinks