Beamish is Cork’s third dry stout, alongside Guinness and Murphy’s, brewed since 1792 and still poured across Munster more than anywhere else in Ireland. It leans a little sweeter than Guinness on the finish, with the same roasted, nitro-poured character that defines the style.
At a glance
| Style | Irish dry stout, nitro |
| ABV | 4.1% |
| IBU | 32 |
| Brewery | Beamish, brewed by Heineken at Cork, Ireland |
| Character | Roasted, coffee, dark chocolate, slightly sweeter finish |
| Best served | Cold, poured to build a tight creamy head |
How it tastes, by the numbers
The full review
Beamish and Crawford brewed this stout in Cork from 1792 until the original brewery closed in 2009. Heineken kept the brand alive, brewing it at a nearby Cork facility, so the beer never actually went away, just the historic building it came from.
It pours the same way Guinness and Murphy’s do: dark, almost black, with a tight nitro head that settles slowly. The roast is upfront, coffee and dark chocolate, with a touch more sweetness on the finish than Guinness carries. That sweetness is what regulars in Cork point to when they argue Beamish over the bigger name.
It sits closer to Murphy’s than Guinness in overall character, smooth and easy rather than firm and dry, but with slightly more roast presence than Murphy’s. If you have tried both of the other two, Beamish is worth seeking out specifically to complete the Cork stout picture.
Beamish is the sweeter, roastier middle ground between Guinness and Murphy’s, and Cork drinkers will tell you it deserves equal billing.
- Genuine third option next to Guinness and Murphy’s
- Roasted coffee and chocolate character
- Smooth nitro pour
- Still brewed in Cork
Who it is for
If you have already tried Guinness and Murphy’s and want the full Cork dry stout lineup, Beamish is the roastier, slightly sweeter third pint worth tracking down.
FAQs
Who makes Beamish Irish Stout?
Beamish is owned by Heineken and brewed at a Heineken facility in Cork, Ireland, continuing the recipe from the original Beamish and Crawford brewery founded in 1792.
What does Beamish Irish Stout taste like?
Roasted coffee and dark chocolate with a slightly sweeter finish than Guinness, poured through nitro for a smooth, creamy texture.
How strong is Beamish Irish Stout?
It is 4.1% ABV with 32 IBUs, close in strength to both Guinness and Murphy’s.
Is Beamish available on Saucey?
Not currently. See our Murphy’s Irish Stout review and Guinness Draught review for Cork-style nitro stouts we can deliver.
Where is Beamish brewed?
Cork, Ireland, the same city where Beamish and Crawford first brewed it in 1792. For more Irish beers, see our Irish beer names guide.
The verdict
Beamish earns its place alongside Guinness and Murphy’s as a genuine third Cork dry stout, roastier and slightly sweeter, and worth seeking out if you want the complete picture of Irish stout brewing.
