Aldi's Budget Stout Takes on the Guinness Giant in Taste Test Challenge
Guinness has long reigned supreme in the global stout market, with its distinctive flavour, premium quality, and remarkable consistency earning a fiercely loyal following. For decades, this iconic Irish stout has been the benchmark against which all others are measured, with Brits historically consuming an astonishing 2.2 million pints daily at its peak popularity.
The Budget Contender Emerges
When discount supermarket Aldi launched its own Mulligan's Irish Stout, it arrived with bold claims that numerous drinkers believed it was "so much better than Guinness" even before it hit shelves. This provocative assertion caught the attention of popular YouTuber Tom Edson, who operates under the channel name The Crumby Beard, prompting him to conduct a comprehensive head-to-head comparison between the two beverages.
Tom immediately noted several similarities between the products: both stouts share an identical 4.1% alcohol by volume and come in standard 440ml cans. However, the price difference is substantial, with Aldi's Mulligan's costing just £4.99 for a four-pack compared to approximately £5.65 for Guinness in leading supermarkets.
Visual and Aromatic Comparisons
The visual resemblance between the two products is striking, with both cans featuring black exteriors accented by crimson writing along the edges. In his video review, Tom humorously observed: "Gold and black, no surprise" regarding the packaging similarities.
Upon pouring the Mulligan's Irish Stout, Tom determined it contained "more nitrogen" than traditional Guinness, though he expressed pleasant surprise at the initial appearance, remarking: "This looks very, very good indeed." He continued his assessment by noting: "You can see already, the head on that Mulligan's is looking really nice. Aroma wise, a light bit of roastiness, not even coffee, a touch of a Bourbon biscuit, a slight chocolatey note."
Flavour Profile Analysis
Tom acknowledged the distinctive "irony, metallicy note" that has become synonymous with Guinness's signature flavour profile. However, when sampling the Aldi alternative, he offered considerable praise, stating: "I'm not saying that it's as good, as it's the same, but my initial reaction is very, very positive."
He elaborated further: "It's a really nice stout. It's not perfect, it's not without its flaws, but we weren't expecting absolute perfection at a bargain price. I would happily drink that again." Tom characterised the Mulligan's flavour as "a little bit creamy" and "a little bit vanilla," though he noted it lost some chocolate notes as it moved across the palate.
"It was a reasonably enjoyable beer but not much lingers," Tom observed. "There's a bit of drying on the tongue but flavourwise, it's not doing an awful lot, which sounds bad, but as a package, it still works rather well."
Guinness Versus Mulligan's: The Final Assessment
In contrast, Tom found the Guinness to be "more bitter" and appreciated its superior "head retention" once the pint had settled. Despite his positive comments about the Aldi stout, Tom admitted he was "really not sure" whether he would choose Mulligan's over Guinness in a direct comparison.
He concluded his analysis with this telling observation: "It's a phenomenally easy beer to drink, I'm almost through that pint and it's been effortless versus the Guinness which is much thicker, it's richer, it's the old adage of Guinness is a meal in a glass. I never really got on with that train of thought because I find it relatively easy to drink due to the lack of carbon dioxide in it. But comparing these two together, it really is a meal in a glass. Mulligan's goes down an absolute treat."
The Verdict and Recommendation
Ultimately, Tom stated he wouldn't necessarily choose Mulligan's ahead of Guinness as his preferred stout, though he conceded that during his regular weekly shopping trip he "could be swayed" by a can of Aldi's Irish Stout. His final assessment praised the budget alternative: "In terms of body, character, and the drinking experience, it is one of the better competitors we've seen if I'm honest, especially at the cheaper end of the market."
Tom offered this recommendation to viewers: "I would recommend it. It's a thumbs up and I'm going to drink these quite happily." The taste test reveals that while Guinness maintains its distinctive character and richness, Aldi's Mulligan's Irish Stout presents a surprisingly competent and enjoyable alternative at a significantly lower price point, making it a viable option for budget-conscious stout enthusiasts.
