The Poor Man’s Pint:

A Review of Aldi’s Maguire’s Draught Stout

By: Nomads Gambit

Score: 6.3

Location: Wisconsin

If you read my last post about Lidl’s German Pilsner, you know I love a bargain. So, naturally, after conquering Lidl, I marched across the street to its arch-rival: Aldi.

I was hunting for something dark. Something that says "I’m sophisticated and brooding" but also "I need to pay my rent." That’s when I saw it. The black six-pack with the gold lettering that looks suspiciously familiar.

Maguire’s Draught Stout.

It’s sitting there, clearly trying to be Guinness’s non-union equivalent. But at roughly $7.99 for a six-pack, I wasn’t going to ask questions. I grabbed it, ran past the cashier (paying first, obviously), and took it home to see if this budget stout could hold its own against the Irish giant.

The Stats

• Beer: Maguire’s Draught Stout

• Origin: Waunakee, Wisconsin (Brewed by "State of Brewing" for Aldi)

• Style: Irish Dry Stout

• ABV: 4.2%

• Price: ~$7 - $8 for a 6-pack

The Pour: The Missing Widget

If you drink Guinness from a can or bottle, you know the magic "widget"—that little plastic ball that releases nitrogen to give it that creamy, cascading head.

Maguire’s does not have a widget.

When I poured this into my glass, I didn't get the mesmerizing, storm cloud cascade. I got bubbles. Standard carbonation. It pours a deep, dark brown (almost black) with a tan head that fizzles out faster than a New Year’s resolution. It looks like a stout, but it behaves like a soda.

The Nose: Surprisingly pleasant. It smells like roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate. There’s a little bit of that metallic twang you get with cheaper dark beers, but overall, it promises a decent roast.

The Taste: The "Diet" Stout Experience

I took a sip, bracing myself for impact.

The Good: The flavor is actually there. You get distinct notes of burnt toast, espresso, and a little bit of caramel sweetness. It’s got that classic "dry stout" bitterness on the finish that keeps it from being cloying.

The "Meh": The texture is where you feel the $4 savings. Without the nitrogen, the mouthfeel is thin and watery. A great stout should feel like a meal; this feels like an iced coffee. It lacks that velvety, creamy body that makes an Irish Stout famous.

It’s incredibly easy to drink, though. At 4.2% ABV, it’s basically a "Session Stout." You could drink three of these while watching football and not feel like you just ate a loaf of bread.

The Verdict: The Weeknight Warrior

Is this a Guinness killer? No. If you want that creamy, pillowy luxury, you have to pay the premium.

However, Maguire’s Draught Stout fills a very specific niche: The Tuesday Night Beer.

It’s perfect for when you want the flavor of a stout roasty, dark, bitter but you don’t want the heaviness or the price tag. It’s a solid table beer to have with a burger or stew when you aren't trying to impress anyone.

Final Score

I give Maguire’s Draught Stout a 6.3/10. It loses points for the thin body, but earns them back for the unbeatable price.

Pro-Tip: Do not drink this ice cold. Let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes after you take it out of the fridge. As it warms up, the chocolate notes really pop and hide the watery texture.