HOPIQ FACEOFF
74%
Overall similarity
hopIQ take
Belhaven Black Scottish Stout if you want roasted grain depth and subtle sweetness,
Murphy's Irish Stout if you want silky smoothness and restraint.
Both clock in at dangerously drinkable 4% ABV with identical 35 IBU bitterness, so the real difference lives in mouthfeel and flavor profile. Belhaven leans into toasted malt complexity; Murphy's prioritizes creaminess and balance. Neither will overwhelm you—they're session stouts masquerading as serious beer.
At a glance
The differences that matter
Generated from the four anchored axes — never hand-written.
Structurally near-identical
Structurally these two are the same beer. The difference is in the aromatics. Belhaven Black Scottish Stout runs a touch sweeter in sweetness (Δ 3). Belhaven Black Scottish Stout brings a distinct smooth-drinking note that Murphy's Irish Stout doesn't.
Beer DNA
Where they separate
Body
Δ 2
Sweetness
Δ 3
Situations
When to choose which
In words
Tasting notes
Belhaven Black Scottish Stout
Belhaven hits you with immediate roasted grain right up front—dark chocolate, burnt toast, a whisper of licorice. There's a subtle sweetness underneath that keeps it from drying out, almost like toffee notes sneaking in. The body is surprisingly substantial for 4.2%, with a dry finish that doesn't linger aggressively. This feels like a stout that actually wants you to taste the craft.
Murphy's Irish Stout
Murphy's slides in smooth and almost creamy—the kind of stout that feels engineered for drinkability. You get coffee and dark malt, but everything's softened around the edges. There's less roasted intensity than you might expect; instead it's all about that velvety texture coating your mouth. The finish is clean and quick, which honestly makes you want another sip immediately.
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