New limited edition stout from historic Cork brewery marks 170 years in city

A limited edition version of Murphy's Stout is coming to pubs in Cork, to celebrate 170 years of brewing in the city.

The limited edition will have a serious kick, with an ABV of 8.4%, compared to 4% for traditional Murphy's Stout, and will be available in 80 outlets across the county.

Murphy’s 170 Whiskey Cask Stout is aged in Midleton Distillery whiskey barrels and was brewed in the traditional manner at Lady’s Well Brewery in Cork.

Once the brew was fermented and matured, the stout was transferred to whiskey casks in Midleton for ageing. When the stout had taken on the Irish whiskey flavours from the wooden cask, it was returned to Lady’s Well for further maturation and kegging.

“We are delighted to celebrate 170 years of brewing at Lady’s Well in Cork with the launch of this very special limited edition Murphy’s 170 Whiskey Cask Stout,” 

said Heineken Ireland head brewer PJ Tierney.

“It is a wonderful collaboration between our brewers at Lady’s Well and the distillers at Midleton Distillery to create a unique variation of Murphy’s Stout that harks back to the very foundation of the brewery in 1856.”

James Murphy, who founded the Midleton Distillery in 1825, was the grandfather of James J Murphy, who, along with his brothers, broke away from the family's distilling interests to purchase the former Cork Foundling Hospital at Lady's Well.

They established the Lady's Well Brewery on the site, with brewing commencing in 1856.

Kevin O’Gorman, master distiller at Midleton Distillery, said: “We were delighted to partner with Heineken Ireland on Murphy’s 170 Whiskey Cask Stout, a collaboration that brings together two proud Cork traditions with a shared history.

“By finishing Murphy’s Irish Stout in Midleton Distillery whiskey barrels, we are honouring that tradition while creating something genuinely innovative for both stout and whiskey lovers alike.”

Heineken Ireland has enjoyed considerable success with Murphy's and its other stout brand, Beamish, in recent years, with both stouts growing by 28% in the local market.