Aldi’s Irish Stout (Guinness Competitor)
The Maguires Draught Stout from Aldi is a dark Irish stout similar to one of the most popular beers: Guinness Draught Stout. While the style of Maguires Stout is Irish the beer is actually made in Wisconsin (US). The brewer is State of Brewing in Waunakee, WI which also brews many of Aldi’s other beers.
This is a beer that Aldi seems to carry fairly often in their rotation so it is one I have had many times but I bought a 6 pack just for this article to make sure it was fresh in my head. This is a good but not great dark beer with a similar profile to other Irish stouts like Guinness. Aldi’s stout has a nice aroma of toasted malt and coffee and the flavor adds a bit of dark chocolate to those. It is has mild bitterness but balanced well, it is a lighter body than you might expect with the color and it is crisp and dry leaving a bit of an aftertaste. It is a little light on flavor but overall a good beer, I don’t find myself reaching for another after finishing one but it is good enough that I buy it semi-regularly.
Maguires Draught Stout Details
- Price: $6.99 (prices may vary) for a 6 pack
- Availability: Only at Aldi, I generally see it from fall into late winter
- Alcohol Content: 4.2% Alcohol/Vol
- Brewery: State Of Brewing (Waunakee, Wi)
- Sold in 6 packs of 12 oz glass bottles
Maguires Draught Stout Vs Guinness Draught Stout
Aldi’s Draught Stout is good Irish Stout style beer with a good price but I think it falls a bit short of the popular Guinness. While Guinness is a mass produced beer and may have toned down some of the flavour of a traditional stout to appeal to the masses it is still a very drinkable beer that is easy to find almost anywhere that sells beer (except Aldi).
One of the biggest differences between the two beers is the carbonation and texture. Maguires is carbonated like a standard beer which gives it a bit more bite and crispness and less head. Guinness on the other hand is well known for using nitrogen instead which creates a smoother, creamier drink due to the smaller bubbles. Side by side this make a big difference in the drinking experience and the nitro is something that I always liked with Guinness. Guinness is also a pretty light tasting beer and surprisingly refreshing, I think the flavour of the Guinness is more mild than the Maguires but it may be a little better flavour and more balanced. If the prices are the same I would probably pick Guinness 9 out of 10 times but Aldi’s beer is consistently cheaper (at least here) so I buy it more often than Guinness.
It is worth trying Maguires if you enjoy Guinness.
More Aldi Wine, Beer, and Alcohol Reviews: Red Wine –White Wine – Beer – All Alcohol – Winking Owl
Maguires Draught Stout Reviews
Good but not Great Stout
Comparing to Guiness…any Guiness stout beer, I would take Maguires. It has a better depth of flavor and richness than regular Guiness. On top of that it is $2-3 cheaper for a better flavored beer. While not as good as some other craft/microbrew stouts, It is well worth the price. Have and will continue to purchase. (Multiple time purchaser of this product.)
Very good stout
Tried it for the first time today (Oct 15, 2024). Very smooth with virtually no bitter after taste. I like the smooth flavor with a barley taste. I hope Aldi’s keep this beer in stock. I will continue to buy this beer.
Exceptional for the price!
As the article stated, if Guinness was priced the same as Maguire’s I would by the Guinness; but it’s not and if you ask me Maguire’s tastes “just fine” especially considering it is easily 50-60% less costly. Agree with other reviews regarding disappointment that Maguire’s is not available year round.
First time trying.
LOVE this beer. Smooth, dark and DELISH for a stout beer. Definitely buy again.
Buy it if you can find it.
Love this stout better than Guinness.
