Although Caffrey’s is a lesser-known Irish stout than its Guinness, Murphy’s or Beamish counterparts, Caffrey’s is a very pleasant-tasting beer. It’s a little rarer in pubs, but it’s very popular with the Irish! A sneak preview of this stout…
The story of Caffrey’s beer begins when Nicolas Caffrey, a wealthy silk and linen merchant, decided to set up his own brewery in central Dublin, around 1850. He wants to compete with the famous Guinness beer, which is sold en masse in every pub in the city and the rest of the country.
10 years later, his son, Thomas Caffrey, decided to assist his father in the production of the brewery. Competition with Guinness is fierce, and Caffrey’s beer doesn’t always capture the attention of the Irish, who are very attached to Dublin’s leading stout brand.
On Nicolas Caffrey’s death, the Dublin brewery was closed: as it had not been a success, his son, Thomas Caffrey, decided to sell the premises and set up another brewery in County Antrim, which he named the “Thomas Caffrey Brewing Co.
Even today, this brewery produces quality beers that are distributed all over Ireland. Although Caffrey’s has never achieved the record sales of its Guinness competitor, it has managed to endure and establish itself as a quality stout.
Caffrey’s is often said to be sweeter and less bitter than other Irish stouts. At 4.7° alcohol, it often has caramelized coffee and licorice aromas.
Like the others, it has a very dark color, turning deep black. Capped with a thick, smooth cream, it’s best enjoyed on draught only (very few bottles or cans of Caffrey’s are available), at a cost ranging from €3.50 to €7, depending on your region.
Caffrey’s is also available in an amber version. The taste is lighter, more akin to a beer like Kilkenny. This version, even sweeter, is much fruitier, and will delight lovers of blond or red beer…
Very thirst-quenching, it’s also easier to drink than Caffrey’s stout… and yet has a similar alcohol content…
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ryan harvey - 
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