The stout battle between Guinness and Murphy's moves to the UK

Guinness has seen years of double-digit growth in the UK but recent price hikes have created an opening for rivals

Some UK publicans put Murphy's next to Guinness on tap at their pubs and later added signs advertising that Murphy's is around one pound cheaper at between £5.60 and £5.90 per pint.

Diageo needs its leading stout beer Guinness to keep growing fast and is pushing a zero-alcohol alternative. But price hikes are turning off some customers and opening the door to rivals in the UK such as Heineken's Murphy's.

Guinness has been a much-needed bright spot in earnings for the world's top spirits maker, under pressure after a downturn in sales of other key brands like Johnnie Walker whiskey in some markets.