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Philadelphia

Tips for Dining, Eating and Food Shopping in Philadelphia (inc. New Jersey suburbs)

Murphy's Stout - Philadelphia

I am a stout drinker and love to try different brands wherever I go (Guinness, Yard's Love Stout, Fullers, etc.). I can't find any place that sells Murphy's on tap. Any advice?

10 Replies

  1. Union Jack's in Manayunk usually has Murphy's on tap as well as Young's Double Chocolate Stoudt on tap. THAT is a treat!

    1. I could be making this up, but I think I used to get Murphy's (which I like better than Guinness) at Brownie's on Second St. near Chestnut. Give them a call...it's been a long time since I was there.

      1. re: travelmad478

        I used to get it at the Irish Pub at 20th and Walnut years and years ago, but it's not on their draft list now.

      2. Good news and bad news. The good news is the Blue Dogs in Chalfont and Lansdale had it on draft. The bad news is , of course, those locations are not Philly. O"Neal's on 3rd only has bottles. Murphy's is now owned by Heineken; they are working to expand the brand and your favorite pub might be encouraged to draft it with their Heineken order.

        1. re: Bacchus101

          The other problem is Beamish and Murphys are owned by the same company. Not sure how they are positioning the two stouts in the US market. I think both are being made in the same factory in County Cork.

          1. re: cwdonald

            Right your are , same company (Heineken Ireland) same city (Cork): Don't know about the factory . But I suppose the way beer is cross-brewed by contract brewers they too could execute different recipes at the same facility. Must say just as a matter of tradition I would rather they were in their own breweries but my guess is that my opinion on this carries little influence with the Dutch.

            How, after many trips to Ireland, I missed Beamish I am not sure. Would liked to have experienced the differences. Perhaps too focused on draft Guinness the Irish Whiskey!

            1. re: Bacchus101

              Six months after Heinekin took over Beamish in 2008, they closed the 210 year old factory in Cork and made 120 workers redundant. I also recall that there were supply problems with Beamish for a while. Nowadays I can usually find either of these beers in the widget cans, but not as many seem to have a constant tap handle. And dont get me started on why I don't think that it should be on nitro ...

              The one other truly Irish stout to drink is O'Hara's. I personally like it better than the other three Irish stouts. Most recently did a side by side taste test of it and Guinness at the Shanachie and confirmed my preference.

              1. re: cwdonald

                Interesting stuff, thanks. Damn now I have to sample both a Beamish and O'Hara's. Tough duty!

        2. Can't help with the Murphy's but try Sly Fox O'Reilly's Irish Stout on draft if you see it. It's a similar style and delicious. It's a popular alternative to Guiness at pubs in the city which might be one reason Murphy's isn't getting much traction.

          1. re: barryg

            I 2nd the O'Reilly's Stout suggestion. Really good stuff, I personally like it a little bit more than Guiness.

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