Molson Coors launches Caffrey’s Black Stout
Molson Coors Beverage Company has launched Caffrey’s Black Stout to meet growing consumer demand for the beer style. Leaning on brand heritage to sell the new beer, the brewer admitted that this is “a clear opportunity” that will “play a role in the category’s next phase of growth”.
The 3.4% ABV nitrogen-infused beer is being launched amid the stout beer style seeing a resurgence in popularity and commanding more attention among drinkers and has been launched at a time when Guinness, owned by Diageo, is rising in popularity along with sales of Murphy’s Irish Stout skyrocketing with volume up 607% and value up 666% in the past year, according to Murphy’s brand owner Heineken.
According to Molson Coors, to ride the wave of this boost in interest for stout, Caffrey’s Black Stout has a distinct, balanced flavour profile that is dominated by roasted malt and cocoa and “complemented by a gentle bitterness, caramel notes, and a hint of liquorice”.
The global brewer has outlined that the launch aims to build on the heritage of founder Thomas Caffrey, who established the brand in 1897 with a focus on stout and porter brewing.
Momentum
The stout and porter categories have been showing strong momentum recently with db having highlighted its growth. In fact, according to data from Kantar Worldpanel Alcovision June 2025, stout in particular has attracted 31% more drinkers since 2023 with particularly strong growth among 25-34-year-olds, up 97%. The figures also showed how women are also increasingly choosing stout, with female drinkers up 48%, alongside a 26% increase in male drinkers.
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The new stout will be available across the on-trade from this month and Molson Coors has revealed that its introduction to the pub sector is essentially to help operators tap into the category’s growing popularity, offering their guests a high-quality, distinctive option that’s rooted in history and heritage and at an accessible price point.
A broader range of drinkers
Speaking about the launch, Molson Coors UK sales director for the UK & Ireland Kev Fawell said: “Stout continues to attract a broader range of drinkers, moving beyond its traditional audience. That shift presents a clear opportunity for established brands such as Caffrey’s to play a role in the category’s next phase of growth. The introduction of Caffrey’s Black Stout to our leading portfolio, with a strong value proposition, represents our commitment to supporting our customers and the evolving tastes of their guests.”
Nigel Maguire, marketing controller for Caffrey’s added: “Caffrey’s Black Stout has been crafted to deliver the balance and depth of flavour that stout drinkers value, blending traditional influences with a profile suited to modern drinking occasions. Its launch draws on Caffrey’s long-standing brewing heritage, reintroducing the brand to today’s market in a way that remains grounded in its history.”
Molson Coors plans to support the launch with promotional social media content to raise consumer awareness, with point-of-sale materials also being available to help operators encourage trial.
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