Murphy's Irish Stout is a dry stout brewed in County Cork according to the original recipe by Murphy's Brewery since 1856.  In comparison to its more bitter and heavier chief competitors, Guinness and Beamish, the underdog Murphy's is a lighter and sweeter dry stout.  Its flavour is evocative of caramel and malt, and is described as "a distant relative of chocolate milk".  The resemblance to milk extends beyond flavour to texture; Murphy's is free from any hint of carbonation,  and is delivered "black as strong cappuccino" with an inch of foam – "the head" – on top.  The head, in particular, is lauded for its remarkably thick and creamy nature and its "spoonable" density.

After years as a fiercely guarded secret of the citizens of Cork, economic liberalisation and cultural globalisation inevitably exposed Murphy's to the international drinking community. As the fastest growing stout in the world, Murphy's is available in 70 countries worldwide.  Critical reception of the beverage outside its native land has been glowing, with the prestigious '"Beer Bites" column of The Daily Orange granting it their coveted "three and a half out of four mugs" rating, an achievement amplified in light of the fact that the American alcohol consumer's preference for smaller quantities than the European has meant deviations in distribution volume from the standard pint.  Commentators have noted the more intense, darker and heartier flavoured nature of Murphy's as a significant distinction over American beers.

Indeed, its potential effects on criminal bands of uilleann pipe-wielding hijacker tribal jungle pygmies were the subject of some speculation on the part of Rónán Ó Snodaigh in the Anchorage, Alaska news media. Such respect does the drink command in the United States, luminaries such as then-President of the United States Bill Clinton have, in the past, made pains to be seen in public with a pint of Murphy's.