From some excellent surprises from well-known names to hidden gems from Ireland’s craft brewing industry, we explore the ten best Irish ales you need to try.
You’d be forgiven for sticking to Guinness in an Irish pub. Brewed in Dublin since the 18th century, the black stuff is synonymous with Ireland. But the brewers of the Emerald Isle also produce some of the finest ales in the world.
The popularity of Guinness and other Irish beers, such as Smithwick’s and Beamish, speaks for itself.
Therefore, we have decided to eschew them from this list in favour of some offerings by lesser-known brewers. So, read on for the ten best Irish ales you need to try.
Ireland Before You Die’s interesting facts about Irish beers:
- The earliest known Irish beer on record was known simply as beoir, the Irish word for beer.
- It is believed that beer has been brewed in Ireland since the Bronze Age.
- Arthur Guinness is famous for being the man behind Guinness Stout, but did you know it was originally brewed as an ale? Read all about the history of Guinness here.
- There are many famous Irish lagers, stouts, ales, and porters, including Guinness, Harp Lager, Hophouse, Kilkenny, Murphy’s Irish Stout, and many more. Read our article on the 12 best Irish beers to try.
10. Clanconnel Brewery, McGrath’s Irish Pale – a contract brewery
Clanconnel Brewing Co. is one of Ireland’s contract breweries, meaning where it is produced has changed over the years.
But, regardless of its home, it derives its excellent taste from the original recipes of founder Mark Pearson.
This pale ale’s malts create biscuit notes that balance the grapefruit bitterness of the hops. This pale ale finishes crisp, clean, and dry on the palate.
READ MORE: 12 Irish beers you need to try
9. BRÚ Brewery, BRÚ Red Ale – a sophisticated and modern beer
BRÚ Brewery makes use of the best local ingredients, counting Loughran Family Malt, Wicklow Hops Company, and the Malting Company of Ireland as brewing partners.
BRÚ gained the expertise of the Carrig Brewing Company when the two merged in 2019.
BRÚ’s red ale uses several different malts for a complex flavour profile that includes notes of caramel and pine. An example of the traditional Irish style of red ale, this also makes for a sophisticated and modern example of Irish craft brewing.
8. Dungarvan Brewing Company, Black Rock Irish Stout – a dry stout
Of course, Guinness is Ireland’s most popular classic stout, with good reason. However, the country’s craft brewing industry produces some excellent competitors.
This full-flavoured and smooth dry Irish stout by Dungarvan Brewing Company has a rich, chocolatey flavour enhanced by notes of vanilla, aniseed, and herbs.
7. Galway Bay Brewery, Full Sail IPA – made using American hops
Galway Bay Brewery makes the hoppy Full Sail IPA using hops of American origin – Colombus, El Dorado, and Cascade.
The brewers add other ingredients during the process to enhance and complement the hoppy flavour rather than diminish it.
The acidity and hoppiness of the beer make it a great accompaniment for spicy foods, while its freshness goes well with a barbecue on a sunny day.
6. Carlow Brewery, O’Hara’s Irish Red – one of the best Irish ales
Carlow’s arable land and limestone-rich hard water are the secret ingredients for the flavoursome drinks produced by O’Hara’s Carlow Brewing Company. Brewing since the 1990s, they have an enviable roster of Irish beers.
Undoubtedly, one of the best is this Irish red ale. A sweetness balanced by hops perfectly complements this ale’s smooth malt body.
RELATED: 32 Irish beers: one to try from each county
5. Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale – a nitrogenated ale for a creamy finish
Brewed by the makers of Guinness since the closure of the St. Francis Abbey Brewery, Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale is the creamiest ale on the market.
The use of nitrogen allows for a creamy head not dissimilar to the famous Guinness head.
The recipe includes water, malted barley, hops, and yeast, which creates an alluring ruby colour and a creamy finish. While it sells best in its native land, it has also gained popularity in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
4. Bullhouse Brew Co., Yeast Belfast Table Beer – a celebration of the independent brewery’s home
The name of this table beer pays homage to Bullhouse Crew Co.’s roots in East Belfast. Bullhouse started in 2016, and its popularity has soared since then.
The strongest evidence of this is the opening of their own taproom on Belfast’s Newtownards Road.
This table beer is low in alcohol content (2.5%) but certainly not in taste. With a juicy freshness, it makes for a perfect beer for an afternoon in the sun.
3. Boundary Brewery, Imbongo Tropical Pale Ale – bursting full of tropical goodness
This tropical pale ale from Belfast’s independent craft brewery, Boundary, tastes exactly as you’d imagine.
Bursting full of juicy, tropical goodness, Boundary’s brewers make Imbongo using pale malt and a blend of the hops Mosaic and Azacca.
Its taste is, admittedly, an acquired one. But if you like a sweet, fruity beer, treat yourself to a can of Imbongo.
2. Mescan Brewery, Westport Extra – one of the best Irish ales
The Mescan Brewery takes its name from Mescan, a brewer and friend of St. Patrick. Run by two Westport friends, they started commercially brewing beers in 2013 at their brewery on the slopes of Croagh Patrick.
Westport Extra is a strong and dry ale. Golden in colour, it has a fruity flavour profile balanced by spicy yeast and bitter hops which make it one of the best Irish ales.
1. Galway Hooker, Irish Pale Ale – the flagship beer of the Irish craft beer scene
Galway Hooker started out in 2006 with the Irish Pale Ale as its flagship beer. It has been at the forefront of the Irish craft beer scene ever since, developing many different styles of beer.
This ale is fresh and citrusy with a floral aroma. It also gets an element of biscuity sweetness from its crystal malt.
Galway Hooker’s Irish Pale Ale perfectly complements barbecued meats and seafood, but we also recommend pairing it with a mature cheese.
KEEP GOING: 5 Irish beers everyone needs to try
Other notable mentions
Metalman Brewing Company, Absolute Magnitude Hazy IPA: This hazy IPA has a citrusy scent that hints at its flavour profile of mandarin and tangerine. It has a soft, light body and a bitter finish on the palate.
Franciscan Well, Shandon Stout: This dry Irish stout is a lighter alternative to traditional stouts. However, its lightness belies its full-bodied, chocolatey taste.
Porterhouse Brew Co., Oyster Stout: This balanced stout is produced in the traditional way, with one major difference. A greater sweetness is derived by shucking fresh oysters into the conditioning tank. Strange, but it certainly makes for a very unique taste!
Kinnegar Brewing Scraggy Bay Pale Ale: Known locally as ‘Yellowcap’, this is a well balanced golden ale with a snappy little bite of hops
Your questions answered about the best Irish ales
If you still have questions, we have you covered! In this section, we’ve compiled some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions and popular questions that have been asked online about this topic.
What is the best Irish ale?
You can’t go wrong with any of the above, but we especially recommend Galway Hooker Irish Pale Ale.
What is the most popular Irish beer?
With over a million pints pouring from taps across the country, Guinness is the most popular Irish beer.
What is Ireland’s oldest ale?
First brewed in 1710, Smithwick’s is Ireland’s oldest ale.
What is the drinking age in Ireland?
The drinking age in Ireland is 18. Learn more in our article on the Drinking age in Ireland: the law, fun facts, and more info.
