The 'silky smooth' Guinness rival with 'unprecedented' demand for St Patrick's Day
Murphy's Irish Stout is gearing up for a record-breaking St. Patrick's Day, as the beloved brew prepares to take on its legendary rival, Guinness.
With St Patrick's Day fast approaching the stout war is on and the underdog is determined to come out fighting.
Murphy’s, the famous Irish Stout, has ramped up production as the brand gears up for a record-breaking weekend ahead of St Patrick’s Day in a bid to go head to head with Guinness at the pumps.
Irish Stout is the most popular drink choice in pubs for St Patrick’s Day weekend, with half of Brits (55%) intending to head to their local to celebrate this weekend. With the brand currently experiencing unprecedented sales, Murphy’s Irish Stout has increased production to ensure no pubs run dry this weekend.
Makers Heineken UK have also launched a ‘Map O’Murphy’s,’ highlighting all the locations in the UK where fans can get their hands on the Classic Irish Stout.
Research conducted by parent company, Heineken UK also reveals that one in four pubgoers are already considering Murphy’s Irish Stout for their St. Patrick’s Day celebration and this figure rises to 46% among existing Stout drinkers.
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The spike in demand expected over St Patrick’s Day, follows a huge boost in sales in December, with pints of Murphy’s up a staggering 632% in UK pubs and bars compared to the same period in 2023. The entire year of 2024 also saw a significant rise, with a 176% boost in draught sales overall.
The boost to Murphy's sales coincided with a Guinness shortage which provided an opportunity for the brand to steam ahead at the pumps.
Murphy’s has now moved into retail and is available in 440ml cans in both four and ten packs. These have been rolled out this month into select supermarkets and convenience stores, expanding the brand’s reach even further.
Will Rice, on-trade director at Heineken UK says:“We have seen unprecedented growth for Murphy’s over the last 18 months, and with St Patrick’s Day being such a key occasion for Irish Stout, we have ramped up brewing to ensure pubs will have enough Murphy’s to keep their punters happy.
“I want to reassure UK landlords and Stout lovers alike that with this uplift in production we’re confident no pubs need run dry this St Patrick’s Day.”
The Guinness shortage in the UK began in December last year when its owners' Diageo’s breweries allegedly couldn’t keep up with the demand.
Guinness taps were running dry, pubs were plastered with signs saying ‘none left’ and The Old Ivy House in London’s Clerkenwell was even handing out ration cards to punters.
Then in stepped another lesser-known Irish import, Murphy's who arrived to save the day and the brand hasn't looked back since and is hoping to capitalise on its gains this weekend.
Currently, over 600 UK pubs are serving Murphy’s, and to find your neareast pub you can click on the ‘Map O’Murphy’s,’ highlighting all the locations.
Founded in Cork in 1856, this classic stout is silky smooth with an icreamy finish and notes of coffee grinds, mocha, chocolate, sweet, and malt syrup.
Heineken described its taste as like "well fired toast, earthy, toffee, coffee and chocolate" with a "silky and smooth" mouth feel.
And if you want something to eat with your Murphy's apparrently it perfectly partners a cheese fondue followed by Black Forest gateau.
