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10 of the best Irish beers to celebrate St Patrick’s Day
With St. Patrick’s day around the corner, the temptation to mark the occasion by ordering a pint of the black stuff can be overwhelming, but the breweries of the Emerald Isle offer plenty of alternatives. From sturdy stouts to pale ales, these are our ten recommendations for what St Patrick’s Day beers to try when drinking on the rocky road less travelled, with no logo in the foam.
Though now owned by Guinness, and being produced in Dublin rather than in the southeastern hometown from which it takes its name, this Irish Red Ale is noted for its caramel aromas, distinct bitterness and lusciously creamy head.
2. Smithwick’s Superior Irish Ale
Confusingly, until a few decades ago, Kilkenny was simply Smithwick’s rebranded for export, however the two have diverged in recent years. Less bitter than Kilkenny, it has a ruby red hue and floral tones lent by the hops, and happens to be the most consumed ale in Ireland.
3. Sullivan’s Malting Red Irish Ale
Completing our Kilkenny red ale trio, Sullivan’s predates them all. If their website is to be believed, the brewery has played a part in every event in Ireland’s history since 1702, the Forrest Gump of beermakers. Though the business’ budget was blown in 1918 on a bad horse, in 2016 Smithwicks and Sullivans put their differences aside and resurrected the brand. With flavours of biscuit and caramel, it may be a classic red ale, but they’re still pioneers, becoming the first Irish brewing company ever to win a World Champion Keg trophy.
Often after a pint of Guinness, my first instinct is to lie down for a while and ready myself for the impending prospect of another pint. Thankfully, Murphy’s, though similar in many ways, provides a lighter, maltier drinking experience. Hailing from Cork, this is a pint which locals swear by, but is yet to reach the lofty heights of its Dublin cousin.
Cork also boasts of another stout to shout about. Predating Murphy’s by more than sixty years, though now both are owned by Heineken, this rich roasted Irish stout exudes aromas of dark chocolate and strong coffee, and its texture is as creamy as they come. Like a tiramisu in a glass, the perfect pick me up.
6. Forged Stout
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Given Ireland’s historic tradition of stouts, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was impossible to muscle in, but if anyone can be a contender, it’s surely Conor McGregor. The pro-scrapper is the owner of The Black Forge Inn in Dublin, which has its signature Forged Stout on tap. McGregor recently celebrated his stout outselling Guinness at the pub. Indeed, the self-proclaimed “Guinness Guru” (who has 94.5k Instagram followers) favourably rated the pint, noting its more notable roasted flavours.
Available exclusively from The Black Forge Inn, Dublin
7. Cael & Crede Barrel Aged Amber Ale
Perhaps the most apt pint for St. Patrick’s Day is one which nods to Ireland’s other most famous drink. The oak barrel in question is one previously used for whiskey, imbuing the ale with hints of vanilla, spice, and that slightly drying whiskey finish, lending another dimension to this offering from County Leitrim.
Given the fervour with which Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, it might be appropriate to celebrate with an American-style beer. This US-inspired pale has been dry hopped, meaning that it has a stronger flavour, without additional bitterness. Intensely floral and with a background fruitiness, it’s an ale designed for modern palates.
9. Porterhouse Session Pale Ale
A transatlantic success story, the Porterhouse Brewing Company has brewpubs in Dublin, London and New York. Finding a place for a craft beer scene in a country dominated by historic breweries wasn’t always easy, but the demand is clearly there. Though they offer a wide range of stouts, it is their Session Pale Ale which we’ve singled out. Clean and with a lingering citrus note, it’s an easy drinking pint, good at any time of year.
10. Harp Lager
When you think of Irish brewing, pilsner’s not the first thing that comes to mind. That’s why it took a German brewer, Dr. Herman Muender, to impart his expertise, creating a lager which Guinness hoped would make a splash in the growing continental lager market of 60s Britain. By 1967, Harp Lager had taken a quarter of the UK lager market, and whilst it has somewhat fallen out of fashion, and the Dundalk brewer was decommissioned in 2013, it is still produced in Dublin to Dr. Muender’s recipe.
Meanwhile, here are the 10 most popular beers in the world, according to ratings on Untappd.
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