Smithwicks Irish Ale

Smithwick’s Irish Ale!  (Usually pronounced ‘Smitticks’ – silent W) Smithwicks is an Irish Red style Ale brewed in Ireland (obviously) in what is apparently the oldest brewery in the country dating back to 1710.  Smithwick’s brewery was purchased by Guiness (who is owned by Diageo) in the 1960’s, and it even says on the bottle ‘brewed by the makers of Guiness’.  It is, in my honest opinion, the best beer around. The beer is a very clear reddish-brown color with no sediment.  It has some little lazy bubbles, but not much else. When poured it will produce an amazing foamy head that just makes it look at that much better. Smithwick’s Draught has a ruby red tone with a stable, but slightly thin head. It is produced using hops and special roasted, malted barley. Its texture is smooth and refined, with a bitter and complex finish. Although of lesser fame than Guinness, Smithwicks is often regarded as the ‘local favourite’ amongst Irish pubgoers.

Let’s look at the history, Smithwick’s was originally brewed in St. Francis Abbey Brewery in Kilkenny, known as ‘Smithwicks Brewery’ until c.2000. The brewery is situated on the site of a Franciscan abbey where monks had brewed ale since the 14th century, and has ruins of the original abbey on its grounds. It is Ireland’s oldest operating brewery, founded by John Smithwick in 1710 on land owned by the Duke of Ormonde. It is the major ale producer in Ireland. Smithwick’s for the domestic market is brewed in Kilkenny and the higher strength export variety is brewed in Dundalk. Smithwick’s is listed in the top five best tasting beers by the McHale beer rating club of Ireland. In 2004, Diageo PLC began distribution in the USA. Smithwick’s had previously been marketed in Canada with great success.

Just a good ’knees-up at the pub’ type beer. The alcohol is only 4.5%, so it makes it ideal to have more than one. The staple Irish foods and the like would go well with this, which is fortunate since most of those Irish themed places springing up all over the place are going to be offering this to go with that ‘authentic‘ meal you‘ll be having. Shepherd’s pie, stew, corned beef, a whisky — all perfect accompaniments. As with any ale, drink it at cellar temperature — 45 degrees or so. It’s not meant to be near frozen. The mild flavor will diminish even further if it’s too cold.

Leave it to the Irish to make a good, honest, drinking man’s beer, and above all, that’s what Smithwick’s is. If a gut full of Guinness is too much for you, this is a few notches below. It’s not as heavy or as flavorful. It also isn’t that scary black color which tends to intimidate some. But that doesn’t mean this is some hoity-toity beverage the snobs are going to go for either. It’s not cute. Being made by a macro brew like Guinness is enough for most of them to turn their noses up. But line them up and keep them coming. Smithwick’s is an easy drinking Irish ale for the brogue attempting mobs that like to have several in a sitting, but want something a bit more than the usual domestic swill. Just stop one pint before the urge to belt out ’Danny Boy’ and a good time is guaranteed for all. But don’t become too attached. Who knows when the powers that be will decide to yank it away again?