Murphy's Irish Stout

Stretch · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:26

Ahleckz said:
Murphy's is alright, but Guinness is the one for me. As long as it isn't that ridiculous Extra Cold muck then I'm happy. It's a shame that it's becoming quite difficult to find pubs that sell the 'original' stuff.

You do realise that it's the same beer, from the same barrel through the same lines. It’s just run through the glycol chiller for longer.

spudbynight · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:35

Stretch said:
You do realise that it's the same beer, from the same barrel through the same lines. It’s just run through the glycol chiller for longer.

You do know it comes in separate kegs.

Red top for one and blue for the other. I worked in a bar in Dublin when I was younger and we sold a lot of Guinness.

Ahleckz · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:44

Stretch said:
You do realise that it's the same beer, from the same barrel through the same lines. It’s just run through the glycol chiller for longer.

Yes, what's your point? The over the top chilling removes a lot of the flavour and leaves an expensive pint tasting poor. I want to taste the flavour in my Guinness, I don't want 'cold'.

DirtyJester · 20 Jun 2011 at 20:18

Ahleckz said:
Smithwicks is gorgeous stuff, I've only ever seen it in O'Neils in Merchant City though, where have you seen it?

If you want the best Smithwicks then watch out for it the next time you're in the USA or Canada, the export stuff is the best.

Ahleckz · 20 Jun 2011 at 21:50

DirtyJester said:
If you want the best Smithwicks then watch out for it the next time you're in the USA or Canada, the export stuff is the best.

Funny you say that, first time I had it was in Moscow and it was lovely there. The Guinness over there though was foul.

setter · 20 Jun 2011 at 22:25

In my local bar, a lot of the older guinness drinkers wont touch it in draught. They prefer bottles, not from the fridge but the shelf. Bottle of stout and a half of whiskey along with it, usually bushmills. Definitely not the best of irish whiskeys though.

soullessfire · 21 Jun 2011 at 00:14

I like Guinness Extra Cold, have very fond memories drinking that after passing my microsoft exams in Belfast.

As for Bushmills, I prefer it myself. It's got a smoother taste than most others. Living about 8 miles from the distillery might have had an influence though.

DirtyJester · 21 Jun 2011 at 08:15

soullessfire said:
As for Bushmills, I prefer it myself. It's got a smoother taste than most others. Living about 8 miles from the distillery might have had an influence though.

Have to agree but it depends on which Bushmills you are drinking. My absolute fav (to date, no pun) is the 12 year old single malt but compare it to the 400th Anniversary (ok it's a blend) edition the smoothness is chalk and cheese.

*Moangroan* · 21 Jun 2011 at 12:38

I think Murphys is yummy ...... Guinness tastes like vomit after I tried this nectar.

Gilly · 21 Jun 2011 at 12:43

spudbynight said:
You do know it comes in separate kegs.

Red top for one and blue for the other. I worked in a bar in Dublin when I was younger and we sold a lot of Guinness.

We didn't have 4 years ago. They were the same.

soullessfire · 21 Jun 2011 at 12:56

DirtyJester said:
Have to agree but it depends on which Bushmills you are drinking. My absolute fav (to date, no pun) is the 12 year old single malt but compare it to the 400th Anniversary (ok it's a blend) edition the smoothness is chalk and cheese.

Is that the one in the green tube with the green label that's been aged in bourbon casks? Not sure of the exact name, but that one's my favourite.

DirtyJester · 21 Jun 2011 at 19:01

soullessfire said:
Is that the one in the green tube with the green label that's been aged in bourbon casks? Not sure of the exact name, but that one's my favourite.

The one in the green tube with green label is the 10 year old single malt, the 12 year old can only be bought from the distillery itself or sampled free after the tour

setter · 21 Jun 2011 at 19:52

soullessfire said:
As for , I prefer it myself. It's got a smoother taste than most others. Living about 8 miles from the distillery might have had an influence though.

Pretty close to it myself as well. Also worked in it for 6-7 years doing painting work. Great place to work in and some real characters. One whiskey i did like was the red label 16 year old single malt, not seen it in many places though.

Valentino · 21 Jun 2011 at 19:56

It's a lot nicer can than a can of Guinness, although i can't say i've ever seen it on tap, let alone had it on tap.

DirtyJester · 22 Jun 2011 at 13:19

setter said:
Pretty close to it myself as well. Also worked in it for 6-7 years doing painting work. Great place to work in and some real characters. One whiskey i did like was the red label 16 year old single malt, not seen it in many places though.

The 16 year old single malt (not tried this myself) is reported to be a favourite amongst a lot of tasters even over the 21 year old single malt, and that's without the price entering into it. Next time I'm up that way (Bushmills) I'll give you a shout mate if you fancy treating yourself to a bottle, I get 25% off

.

Valentino said:
It's a lot nicer can than a can of Guinness, although i can't say i've ever seen it on tap, let alone had it on tap.

Most beers / stouts will taste better from a tap rather than a can, I've had Murphys from both and honestly I do prefer Guinness

.

Bennie-Mac · 24 Jun 2011 at 01:58

Gilly said:
We didn't have 4 years ago. They were the same.

This man speaks the truth. Worked in two bars in the last 5 years and they all had the red plastic cap. Same stuff just chilled.

spudbynight · 24 Jun 2011 at 11:26

I was wondering if my memory was failing and I was going mad so I dropped the following email to Diageo at the Guinness Storehouse

Hello,

I was hoping you could help me with something. I used to manage a bar in Dublin - about 10 years ago. We used to serve Guinness Draught and also Guinness Extra Cold. Back then they came in two seperate kegs - one with a blue top and one with a red top. I have been talking to a friend of mine who is convinced that Guinness Extra Cold comes from the same kegs as the standard Guinness Draught now and that there is no difference between them other than the taps used.

Is this the case now? Is there any difference between Guiness Draught and Extra Cold?

Kind Regards

Spudbynight

I got the following response

Dear Spubnynight,

Thank you for your recent email. We always love to hear from our loyal consumers, their thoughts and comments as it brings us closer to the people that matter - you!

In response to your query, I can confirm that both Guinness Draught and Guinness extra cold were stored and delivered in two seperate types kegs. One with a red cap and the other blue one.

I hope this information is useful to you and that you continue to enjoy our brand.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr Guinness Rep,
Diageo Consumer Relations

Not the clearest regarding the current status so I asked a follow up

Thanks Mr Guinness Rep - are they still shipped in different kegs?

No reply yet but that was only sent yesterday evening to them

Gilly · 24 Jun 2011 at 12:09

I wonder if it changed when they stopped brewing it here and started importing it.

Bennie-Mac · 25 Jun 2011 at 01:57

That is strange... I remember changing hundreds of kegs :confused:

Maybe we didnt actually sell the extra cold one after all

soullessfire · 26 Jun 2011 at 01:01

Extra Cold is definitely different, they've always sold it as 2 separate products. I can remember there being 2 way back in 1998 (first time I really noticed TBH). I'd just finished and passed a load of MCPs in Belfast and I stopped in Morrisons (a bar in Belfast, not the supermarket) for a few while I waited on friends to finish work. Can remember drinking Extra Cold while reading the paper on a warm June day and thinking life didn't really get much better than that lol