Cork's 1856 stout brought to the modern fridge by Heineken Ireland, against Conor McGregor's 2023 Dublin contract-brew. Both nitro Irish dry stouts, both at sessionable strengths, both stocking similar shelves. The differences in the glass are meaningful.
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | Forged Irish Stout | Murphy's Irish Stout |
|---|---|---|
| ABV | 4.2% | 4.0% |
| Style | Nitro Irish dry stout | Nitro Irish dry stout |
| Brewery | Porterhouse, Dublin (under contract) | Heineken Ireland (Lady's Well brewery), Cork |
| Brewery founded | 1996 (Porterhouse) · 2020 (Forged brand) | 1856 (James J. Murphy & Co.) |
| Owner | Forged Dublin Brewery / Conor McGregor | Heineken N.V. (since 1983) |
| Format reviewed | 440ml widget can | 500ml widget can / 14.9oz US can |
How they taste
Murphy's is the smoother, sweeter Cork classic — its house style is "less bitter than Guinness," and it leans into a creamy toffee-and-coffee profile with almost no bitterness on the finish. Forged sits dryer than Murphy's: the front-palate sweetness is similar, but Forged's roasted-malt note is more present and the finish is cleaner-cut, where Murphy's lingers in chocolate-toffee territory.
Mouthfeel — both excellent thanks to nitro. Murphy's is fractionally fuller-bodied; Forged is fractionally lighter. The difference is small but consistent across multiple sittings.
The verdict
Forged vs Murphy's
Different drinks for different occasions
Murphy's is the more characterful beer — there's a Cork sweetness and a creamy mid-palate that's its own thing, distinct from Guinness and from Forged. Forged is the cleaner, drier session option. If you've never had Murphy's, try Murphy's first. If you're loyal to Murphy's already, Forged won't replace it but won't disappoint as a Tuesday-night second-choice. The match-up isn't really competitive — they're slightly different beers with slightly different briefs.
Pick Forged if…
- You find Murphy's too sweet or too sticky on the finish
- You're after a drier session stout
- You want to try something brand-new in the category
Pick Murphy's if…
- You want a smoother, less-bitter alternative to Guinness
- Cork heritage means anything to you
- You like a stout that pairs well with rich desserts
Read next
- The full Forged Irish Stout review
- Forged vs Beamish — the other Cork stout, brewed at the same site
- Forged vs Guinness Draught
- All comparisons