Murphy's Irish Stout

As noted in previous reviews, Guinness used to be my husband's favorite beer. At one point he had sort of binged on it so much that other beers just didn't taste right; they were all too weak, too wimpy, not filling enough. He had to lay off for a while to get his taste buds back, and when he did, he found a whole world of beer open to him, including many other perfectly delightful stouts.

Murphy's Irish Stout is one such option, made by Murphy's Brewery since 1856 in County Cork in Ireland. The company was bought by Heineken a few years ago, which is apparently why this beer has become more ubiquitous in the States. It's an Irish stout, also called a dry stout, the same kind of stout as Guinness and another type called Beamish. The Irish call it leann dubh, or black ale. Don't ask me how to pronounce that.

Murphy's is less full-bodied than Guinness draft but has a more complex flavor, with pronounced chocolate and coffee notes. It's certainly not a Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout, though; the flavors are more subtle and there is no actual coffee or chocolate used in the making of the brew. Because it's not as heavy as a Guinness, for whatever reason, you can probably stand to drink more than one or two in a night, and maybe even have some food as well. A meal replacement this is not. But it is a good stout, enjoyed by all who partook even if it didn't blow their minds or change their lives.

Just the facts, ma'am: Murphy's Irish Stout, Murphy's Brewery, Ireland, Irish/dry stout, 4.0% alcohol by volume.