Molson Coors Beverage Company has expanded its UK on-trade portfolio with the launch of Caffrey’s Black Stout, introducing a new stout under the historic Caffrey’s brand as demand for the beer style continues to accelerate. The move comes at a time of heightened interest in stout, amplified by supply constraints affecting Guinness and renewed competitive activity in the segment.
The new stout, available from January 2026, is brewed to 3.4% ABV and nitrogen-infused to deliver a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Its flavour profile is centred on roasted malt and cocoa, complemented by gentle bitterness, caramel notes and a subtle hint of liquorice. Hop presence remains restrained, allowing the malt character to dominate while keeping the beer highly drinkable for on-trade occasions.
Rather than reviving a discontinued product, Molson Coors is extending the Caffrey’s brand into the stout category. Until now, the brand has been almost exclusively associated with Caffrey’s Irish Ale, a smooth cream-flow ale launched in 1994. By introducing a stout under the same brand, Molson Coors is deliberately leveraging Caffrey’s heritage, which dates back to 1897, when founder Thomas Caffrey established the business with a focus on stout and porter brewing. The strategy aims to give the brand renewed relevance in a segment where consumer interest is expanding beyond its traditional audience.
Market data underlines the strength of the category. According to Kantar Worldpanel Alcovision, stout has attracted 31% more drinkers since 2023, with particularly strong growth among 25–34-year-olds, where consumption has risen by 97%. Female participation has increased by 48%, alongside a 26% rise among male drinkers, highlighting the broadening appeal of the style.
Competitive dynamics in the UK stout market have intensified over the past year. Guinness, owned by Diageo, has faced supply rationing in parts of the British on-trade during peak periods (inside.beer, 06.12.2024), while Heineken has reported exceptional growth following the reintroduction of Murphy’s Irish Stout, with volumes and value rising sharply (inside.beer, 02.03.2025).
Molson Coors plans to support the rollout of Caffrey’s Black Stout with social media activity and point-of-sale materials, aiming to help pub operators capitalise on the category’s momentum. With stout increasingly attracting new demographics and commanding more space at the bar, the brewer is positioning Caffrey’s as a credible additional player in a fast-growing and increasingly competitive segment.
