Ireland is famous for brewing the most popular beers in the world. This is because the country has the perfect climate and soil for growing barley. It explains why traditional Irish beers have a darker shade and are full of flavour. Until the day when food providers for corporations can deliver beer to the workplace, beer enthusiasts throughout Ireland have long loved the local pubs for music and alcohol consumption.
Large -scale brewers consisted of monastries that hosted learned monks in brewing. The monks used that knowledge to improve brewing techniques in Ireland. Here are some of the best Irish beers:
Murphy’s Irish Stout
It is the sweetest and lightest Irish beer of the famous three Irish beers (Murphy’s Guiness and Beamish). It mimics the taste of chocolate milk finished with caramel-infused cream and topped with a double shot of espresso. Since Murphy was acquired by Heineken it has become one of the fastest growing stout brand now served along with scrumptous delicacies at Ireland’s 14 Michelin starred restaurants.
Guiness Black Lager
The black lager was the first beer to include the name Guiness in its name. It gives you a crisp, light taste but retains stout’s signature barley character which gives the beet a dark and full flavor. The beer contains 4.5% of alcohol, making it an excellent session beer. It also adds to Irish stout already heavy lineup.
The Guiness Draught
This dry stout has been brewed by a brewery in Dublin called St. James Gate. the beer has a dark, opaque hue with a tan head. It delivers a flavorful malt, coffe, bread and barley taste. It is medium-bodied, with a bittersweet taste making an excellent accompaniment during dinner.
Porthouse Brewing Oyester Stout
The brewery is still a small brand operating pubs in Dublin and exporting to the US. It was formed in 1996 and has become the largest independent brewery. The company makes a varied range of lagers, stouts, ales, specialty beers including the oyester stout. The oyester stout boasts a medium-bodied beer with a roasty flavor with mild bitterness.
Carlow Irish Red Beer
It is also known as O’hara and dates back in 1996 when it was first brewed. The beer has an overly sweet favor with an unbalanced toffee bomb. Its light-bodied finish and caramel toasty maltiness it soothes your palate and delivers a smooth, crisp finish. It is this smooth finish that eliminates the sickening taste in other beers.
Ale
This beer dates back to the 14th century when monks would brew their beers. It tastes like Murphy’s Irish red, characterized by a hint of hops and caramel malty flavor.
The Irish Red from Murphy
The beer gets its red hue from the small amounts of barley (roasted) used. It has a crisp, dry and carbonated flavor thanks to its caramel and fruity origin. Originally, the Irish Red was brewed in 1856 as Lady’s Well Ale. Lady’s Well has been known as a religious location for Catholics since the 18th century.
Franciscan Red Ale
It mimics the Irish Red Ale only that it originates from Franciscan Well Brewery located in Ireland. The beer features a robust flavor as it is made from fruits, caramel, toffee, spices, berries, biscuits, and hops. It also has a deep light and golden hue with an off-white head. On the palate it feels light with a thin, short finish.
Kilkenny Irish Ale
While little is known about this beer, it dates back to the 14th century. It has a creamy taste just as most of Guinness beers with a rich flavor and aroma. Its sweet, creamy flavor is quickly by some slight bitterness. The beer is available in canned and draught forms.
O’Hara Celtic Stout
The beer originates from Carlow, a small village in Ireland’s Barrow Valley region. Crafting beer was a popular activity among Carlow inhabitants. It is this practice that spawned the development of small breweries in the town including Carlow Brewing Company.