JDW among pubs to drop Conor McGregor's stout

Forged Irish Stout - Conor McGregor's stout
Support pulled: Conor McGregor's Forged Irish Stout is labelled as 'the world's creamiest stout' (Credit: Forged Irish Stout)

London-based, Irish-inspired pub company Windmill Taverns has dropped Forged Irish Stout following the civil rape verdict against the brand’s founder Conor McGregor.

Windmill confirmed it no longer serves the stout at its Mc & Sons Borough or Vauxhall pubs or any others in its five-strong estate.

Meanwhile in Ireland, JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has also dropped the brand, which was launched by McGregor in 2023 to rival Guinness.

A JDW spokesperson confirmed it was available in seven of its pubs in Ireland but is no longer on sale and the drink is not sold anywhere else by the company.

The stout was brought to the UK as part of an exclusive partnership with independent drinks distributer LWC but the brand is no longer listed on LWC’s website.

Was available in 500-plus pubs

Forged Irish Stout was available via LWC in 30-litre kegs and beer & cider category manager Lee Williams said in October 2023: “Since Covid we have seen unprecedented growth in stout within our own customer base and the wider market.

“And with consumers seeking out lighter, more sessionable alternatives, we feel there is significant opportunity for another premium contender to join the fold.”

Last year, it was reportedly available in more than 500 pubs and 20 cities.

Former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter McGregor lost a civil case brought against him in Dublin.

A jury found McGregor had assaulted Nikita Hand by raping her in a hotel in Dublin in December 2018.

Pulled support

McGregor was ordered to pay Ms Hand almost €250,000 (£206,000) in damages.

Following the verdict, retailers and wholesalers across the UK and Ireland have also pulled support for alcohol brands linked to McGregor.

Tesco and One Stop have taken his whiskey brand Proper No Twelve from their stores in the UK, while Asda has removed Forged from sale in the UK.

McGregor founded Proper No Twelve in 2018 and sold his remaining stake in the brand to Proximo Spirits in 2021. He has since continued to act as an ambassador for the brand, however.

Proximo issued a statement this week stating it had now dropped McGregor.