If you ask people for the first thing that comes to their minds when they think of Irish beer, they’re most likely to say Guinness. While Arthur Guinness & Sons with their patented Irish stout is certainly the most well-known beer in the country, that brewery isn’t the only game in town (so to speak). Along with the United States and the United Kingdom, Ireland has experienced its own craft beer boom and ale lovers all over the country are experiencing the benefits. You’ll find five of our favorite Irish breweries below and you can let us know your own favorites in the comments.
Trouble Brewing
Coming out of Kildare, Trouble Brewing is more than a witty name. The brewery’s Deception Golden Ale came out in 2010 and they’ve added a wider selection that includes Dark Arts Porter, Sabotage IPA, Graffiti Pale Ale, and more. In fact, various forms of pale ales seem to be their stock in trade, which is lovely if you enjoy hops. If you can’t make it to the brewery, you’re bound to find them in many parts of the country and at craft beer festivals.
Rascals Brewing
In the capital of Dublin you’ll find Rascals Brewing Company which arguably has one of the largest portfolios of beer selections on this list. The year-round beers include Fruitopolis Pale Ale, Yankee White IPA, Wunderbar IPA, Big Hop Red, and Happy Days Session Pale Ale. The brewery also has several barrel-aged beers and numerous special offerings. Additionally, the brewery offers tours and a tap room that serves pizza as well as offering beers exclusive to that location as well as guest beers from other breweries.
Galway Bay Brewing
Galway Bay Brewing has learned a thing or two about brewing by using recipes and techniques perfect in the area over the years. This has produced some great beers such as Of Foam and Fury Hazy IPA, Full Sail IPA, Bay Irish Red Ale, Althea Session IPA, and Buried at Sea Milk Stouth, amongst others. Similar to breweries such as Fullers in the UK, Galway Bay either owns some pubs where its beer is served or has a deal to ensure its beers are well represented at the taps of other establishments. For the best experience, you should visit the Oslo, which is the brewpub where Galway Bay Brewing was founded.
Metalman Brewing
Starting up in 2011 with Metalman Pale Ale, Metalman Brewing has quickly become one of Ireland’s leading craft breweries. The brewery was begun by a husband-and-wife team and named after one of Waterford’s greatest monuments, the Metalman that once served as a directional aid to guide ships to safety. Their year-round beers include varied palate of wheat, port, and IPAs, while the seasonal beers include Blaager (brewed with Waterford blaas bread) and Ironmonger amber IPA. The brewery is growing so much that it started its own canning line five years ago so you can take it with you.
Franciscan Well
Appearing in every list used for researching this article, Franciscan Well is one of the older craft breweries in Ireland as it was founded in 1998. The name comes from the brewery being founded over the former site of a Franciscan monastery in Cork and their primary beers include Rebel Red, Chieftan IPA, Friar Weisse, and Shandon Stout. They also offer several special beers including a Premium Stout aged in Jameson casks. Their brewpub is worth a visit for its tours (which offer a pairing with Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition) as well as its great selection of food. Franciscan Well also hosts the annual Easter Beer Festival in the city.
