Murphy's launches new limited edition stout for the Cork market — and it has a kick

A limited-edition stout aged in Midleton whiskey barrels will be available in 80 pubs across Cork

PJ Tierney, master brewer, HEINEKEN Ireland and Jonathan Barry, On Trade regional manager, celebrate the launch of Murphy’s 170 Whiskey Cask Stout

A limited edition version of Murphy's Stout is coming to pubs in Cork, launched to celebrate 170 years of brewing in the city.

The limited edition will have a serious kick, with an ABV of 8.4%, compared to 4% for traditional Murphy's Stout, and will be available in 80 outlets across the county.

Murphy’s 170 Whiskey Cask Stout is aged in Midleton Distillery whiskey barrels and was brewed in the traditional manner at Lady’s Well Brewery in Cork.

Once the brew was fermented and matured, the stout was transferred to whiskey casks in Midleton for ageing. When the stout had taken on the Irish whiskey flavours from the wooden cask, it was returned to Lady’s Well for further maturation and kegging.

“We are delighted to celebrate 170 years of brewing at Lady’s Well in Cork with the launch of this very special limited edition Murphy’s 170 Whiskey Cask Stout,” said Heineken Ireland head brewer PJ Tierney.

“It is a wonderful collaboration between our brewers at Lady’s Well and the distillers at Midleton Distillery to create a unique variation of Murphy’s Stout that harks back to the very foundation of the brewery in 1856.”

James Murphy, who founded the Midleton Distillery in 1825, was the grandfather of James J. Murphy, who, along with his brothers, broke away from the family's distilling interests to purchase the former Cork Foundling Hospital at Lady's Well.

They established the Lady's Well Brewery on the site, with brewing commencing in 1856.

Kevin O’Gorman, master distiller at Midleton Distillery, said: “We were delighted to partner with Heineken Ireland on Murphy’s 170 Whiskey Cask Stout, a collaboration that brings together two proud Cork traditions with a shared history.

“By finishing Murphy’s Irish Stout in Midleton Distillery whiskey barrels, we are honouring that tradition while creating something genuinely innovative for both stout and whiskey lovers alike.”

Murphy’s and Beamish growth

Heineken Ireland has enjoyed considerable success with Murphy's and its other stout brand, Beamish, in recent years, with both stouts growing by 28% in the local market.

Murphy's has also seen significant growth in international markets, particularly the UK.

Heineken said more than 95% of the company's draught beer sold in Ireland is brewed in Cork.

Aside from Murphy’s, the Lady’s Well brewery produces Heineken, Birra Moretti, Coors, and Orchard Thieves Cider.

For stout aficionados, Murphy’s 170 Whiskey Cask Stout’s taste profile has “notes of caramel, vanilla, roast coffee and dark fruit, with a lasting flavour intensity”.

"It has a rich whiskey aroma, with traces of vanilla and oak, complemented by dark berries and a subtle red wine nuance. As it has been aged in whiskey barrels, Murphy’s 170 Whiskey Cask Stout has an ABV of 8.4%."

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