Murphy’s Irish Red Review: A Smooth Irish Ale Worth Trying

I have always believed that airports are what you make them.

You can spend a layover staring at the departure board and eating overpriced fast food, or you can treat it like one more stop on the journey.

During a layover at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, I wandered past Murphy’s Irish Pub and thought, “Well…why not?”

I wasn’t in Ireland, but for the next hour, it felt like I had found a little piece of it.

I ordered a pint of Murphy’s Irish Red, settled into my seat with a plate of fish and chips, and forgot I was in one of Europe’s busiest airports.

Those are the travel moments I love most. The ones you never planned.

Beer has become one of my favorite ways to experience a place, even when that place happens to be an airport. If you’ve followed DG Speaks for a while, you already know my relationship with beer has changed a lot over the years. I even wrote about that journey in My Love-Hate Relationship with Beer.

Murphy’s Irish Red served with traditional fish and chips at Murphy’s Irish Pub in Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. — Murphy’s Irish Red paired perfectly with a classic plate of fish and chips during a relaxing layover at Murphy’s Irish Pub in Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The Best Airport Pub I’ve Found So Far

I tried Murphy’s Irish Red at Murphy’s Irish Pub inside Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands. It was one of those unexpected travel moments that reminded me that airport food and drink do not always have to be rushed or forgettable.

There is something funny about drinking an Irish red ale in a Dutch airport. It sounds random, but travel is full of those little cultural crossings. Beer moves through places, memories, and people. I explored that bigger story in Fluid Foundations: The Aura of Intoxication and the History of Beer & Wine.

Beer Snapshot

Beer: Murphy’s Irish Red
Brewery: Heineken Ireland
Style: Irish Red Ale
Country of Origin: Ireland
Where I Tried It: Murphy’s Irish Pub, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Netherlands
My First Reaction: Delicious, but not my favorite.

My First Sip

My first Untappd note for Murphy’s Irish Red was simple: delicious, but not my favorite. Honestly, that still feels right.

It was smooth, easy to drink, and approachable. It had the gentle malt sweetness I expect from an Irish red ale, with just enough roasted character to give it some depth. However, it never felt heavy or too rich.

There was very little bitterness, which made it a nice choice with fish and chips. It gave me flavor without that sharp hop bite that sometimes takes over the whole meal.

For me, that was both its strength and its limitation. I enjoyed drinking it. I would order it again. Still, it did not make me stop mid-sip and say, “Oh, I need to remember this forever.”

But honestly, not every beer needs to do all that.

Some beers are not about drama. They are about the moment. This one worked because I was tired, hungry, and happy to sit down somewhere that felt warm and familiar.

So…Was It Any Good?

Yes. Murphy’s Irish Red is good.

It has a smooth malt-forward flavor with soft caramel notes, light toastiness, and a clean finish. It is lightly sweet, but not sugary. It also has enough body to feel satisfying without becoming too filling.

If you do not love super bitter beers, this is a friendly option. It gives you flavor without pushing too hard. That makes it a good airport pint, a good pub beer, and a good casual choice when you want something reliable.

I also appreciate beers like this because they help tell the broader story of beer culture. Beer is not only about extremes, trends, or limited releases. It is also about everyday pints, neighborhood pubs, and the women who have helped shape brewing history, which I wrote about in Celebrating Beer: Exploring Flavors, History, and Women’s Contributions.

Would I Stop Here Again?

Yes, I would stop at Murphy’s Irish Pub again.

Would I chase Murphy’s Irish Red across a city? Probably not. However, if I saw it on tap in an Irish pub, especially while traveling, I would happily order another pint.

It is smooth, balanced, and easy to enjoy. Sometimes that is enough.

That said, I still love a brewery experience with a strong sense of place. My visit to Atlas Brew Works showed me how local breweries can connect sustainability, community, and good beer in one story. I felt something similar when I explored the history behind Heurich House and Senate Beer.

DG Speaks Beer Passport

Beer: Murphy’s Irish Red
Brewery: Heineken Ireland
Country: Ireland
Enjoyed In: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Netherlands
Best For: Pub nights, travel layovers, casual meals, and easy sipping
Pairs Well With: Fish and chips, burgers, shepherd’s pie, roasted meats, and pub snacks
Would I Order It Again? Yes
One-Sip Verdict: Smooth, balanced, and dependable.

Next Time You Have a Long Layover…

Do not sleep on the airport pub.

Seriously. Sometimes the best travel moments happen when you stop treating the airport like wasted time. Sit down. Order something decent. People-watch. Let the journey breathe for a minute.

If you love places where beer, food, art, and personality come together, you may also enjoy my visit to Beer Barrio. For a more casual late-night vibe, Red Derby reminded me that beer culture does not always need to be fancy to be memorable.

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I will always have room for a classic pub pint, but I also love celebrating the independent brewers who make beer culture so exciting. That is why I also wrote about National Beer Day and America’s Best Microbreweries.