A bold claim from a supermarket giant has sent ripples through the beer world. Aldi has launched its own-brand stout, Mulligan's, asserting that during trials, drinkers declared it "so much better than Guinness". This is a significant challenge to the iconic Irish stout, a global market leader cherished for its consistent flavour and quality. We conducted a side-by-side comparison to see if the budget retailer's offering could truly dethrone the king of stouts.
The Price Point: A Clear Victory for Aldi
On the matter of cost, the result is as stark as the black and white of a perfect pint head. A four-pack of Aldi's Mulligan's stout retails for £4.99. In contrast, a four-pack of canned Guinness will set you back £5.65. This makes Guinness approximately 13% more expensive, with a saving of 66p per multi-pack going to Aldi. However, availability is a key factor; while Guinness is ubiquitous in supermarkets, express stores, and corner shops across the UK, Mulligan's is exclusively found in Aldi stores.
Public Perception and Expert Opinions
Aldi promotes its stout as having "notes of roasted malt, dark chocolate, and sweet toffee", describing it as a "rich, velvety, award-winning stout". The retailer cites positive feedback from its trial, including one drinker who said, "For me, the Mulligan's wins," praising its creaminess and roasted malt character. Another simply called it "beautiful".
Notably, famed stout reviewer Jason Hackett, known online as Prime Mutton, described Mulligan's as "smooth, creamy, balanced and easier on the pocket". It is crucial to note, however, that this endorsement was part of a paid partnership with Aldi, a fact that adds a layer of context to the praise.
The Ultimate Test: Pour, Appearance, and Taste
Ultimately, the proof is in the pouring. We tested both stouts, starting with the market leader. The canned Guinness, complete with its signature widget, delivered a perfect pour with that distinctive, stormy settle reminiscent of a pub pint, albeit quicker. The result was a smooth drink with a thick, creamy head, delivering all the classic, delicious characteristics expected from the brand.
The Aldi can lacks a widget, leading to a much quicker settle in the glass. Once settled, however, the visual difference was minimal; the Mulligan's head was just as thick and creamy. On tasting, the toasted and chocolatey notes were present and it was a genuinely good stout. Yet, a distinct difference emerged: the Aldi version tasted noticeably sweeter, with pronounced sweet toffee notes. It wasn't sickly, but it lacked the subtlety of Guinness. As one tasting companion aptly put it, the Mulligan's "tastes like what people who don't make Guinness think Guinness should taste like".
The Final Verdict
So, which stout emerges victorious? On price alone, Aldi's Mulligan's is the undisputed winner, offering significant savings for a very comparable-looking product. On the critical measure of taste, however, the crown remains with Guinness. Its balanced, less sweet, and more nuanced flavour profile retains its champion status. That said, Aldi has undoubtedly produced a stout of commendable quality that does the retailer's reputation no harm and is a more than acceptable alternative for the cost-conscious stout lover.
