HOPIQ FACEOFF
Beamish & Crawford · Ireland · Stout
THE HOPIQ TAKE
Beamish is the one Cork stout almost no one outside Ireland has tried, and that's the argument for trying it immediately. Where Guinness is dry and roasty, Beamish is sweeter, more chocolatey, almost more like a milk stout without the lactose. It's the most underrated stout in the three-Cork-stouts canon (Guinness, Murphy's, Beamish). The pour is the same — nitrogen cascade, cream head — but everything that follows is different enough to surprise you. If you find Guinness slightly too austere, Beamish is the answer you didn't know to ask for.
SIDE BY SIDE
| Guinness Draught | Beamish Irish Stout | |
| ABV | 4.2% | 4.1% |
| IBU | 45 | 38 |
| Colour | Opaque black, SRM 40+ | Opaque black, SRM 40+ |
| Style | Stout | Stout |
| Origin | Ireland | Ireland |
WHEN TO CHOOSE WHICH
Pick Guinness Draught when…
- →You want the definitive experience that established what Irish stout means globally
- →Oysters — the Guinness-oyster pairing is one of the few truly irrefutable beer-food combinations
- →You want something austere and challenging rather than immediately approachable
- →The ritual matters — the pour, the wait, the settling
Pick Beamish Irish Stout when…
- →You've heard about the Cork stouts and want to understand why they have a cult following
- →Someone who found Guinness slightly too bitter — this is the soft landing
- →Pairing with chocolate or dessert — the sweetness plays beautifully
- You want the full Irish stout panorama and this is the missing piece
WHAT IT TASTES OF
Both beers
STRUCTURE — HOW IT'S BUILT
TASTING NOTES
SIMILARITY SCORE
85%
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between Guinness and Beamish?
Guinness Draught (4.2% ABV) is roastier and more bitter with a longer, drier finish. Beamish Irish Stout (4.1% ABV) is the Cork alternative — slightly sweeter and less bitter than Guinness, with a creamier texture and a gentler roast character. Beamish is rarely found outside Ireland, making it a genuine discovery for stout enthusiasts.
Is Beamish better than Guinness?
Beamish is arguably the more underrated Irish stout — smoother and slightly sweeter than Guinness, with a creaminess that many drinkers prefer. Guinness has the cultural dominance and the broader distribution. If you've never tried Beamish, it's worth seeking out specifically because it's so different from what you expect.
Where is Beamish brewed?
Beamish Irish Stout was originally brewed at the Beamish & Crawford brewery in Cork, Ireland — one of the world's oldest stout breweries, founded in 1792. It is now owned by Heineken and brewed at the Murphy's Brewery in Cork (Lady's Well Brewery).
Why is Beamish so hard to find outside Ireland?
Beamish has very limited international distribution compared to Guinness and Murphy's. It remains primarily a draught product in Irish pubs, particularly in Cork and Munster, and Heineken has not aggressively expanded its international presence. This scarcity is part of what makes trying it in Ireland worthwhile.