Traditionally, shamrock has been known as the patriotic plant of Ireland but you may need to think again. The Emerald Isle right is going through what we can only describe as a ‘Hops Renaissance’. The Irish have a long history of brewing, from the 13th century monks who laid the foundation for the Smithwick’s Brewery at the St. Francis Abbey in Kilkenny right up to old Arthur Guinness who brought Ireland’s most famous stout to pubs and pint glasses across the globe.
Seeing as how there has been an explosion of microbreweries across Ireland, we thought there is no better time than now to take a quick look at a couple of our favourites and the craft-mad places you can find them. Sláinte!
The Brewers
8 Degrees, Co. Cork
Named for the line of longitude that runs through Ireland – as well as their recommended serving temperature for their beers – 8 Degrees was set up by a New Zealander and an Australian in the Ballyhoura region. With a range of five core brews and lots of seasonal and limited edition concoctions, 8 Degrees is a very strong figure in the Irish craft scene.
Dungarvan Brewing, Co. Waterford
A core range of seven beers, stouts and ales makes Dungarvan another strong contender for the Irish craft crown. With a large focus on ales and dark beers, it’s easy to see the Viking influence still lingering in Waterford. Its website also features a cooking section to put their brews to good use in the kitchen too.
Franciscan Well, Co. Cork
Made with all the patience and solemnity of the monks in the former Franciscan abbey that gives this brew house its name, Franciscan Well has shot to popularity since opening its doors in 1998. Its flagship beer, Rebel Red, has become a regular favourite in Ireland featuring at hundreds of pubs across Ireland. The core range features stouts, ales and many German inspired beers.
Galway Bay Brewery, Co. Galway
Not happy to stop at just brewing one of Ireland’s top craft ranges, Galway Bay has also opened a series of nine craft bars across the country. If you’ve heard someone say “I was at this great craft spot the other day”, there’s a good chance they were in a Galway Bay bar. Its fine range of seasonal experiments (including a fantastic Chilli Pumpkin Ale) and core range of five beers featuring pale ales, ports, and high ABV brews might have you singing the song, ‘Galway Bay‘, if not the praises of the brew.
Metalman Brewing, Co. Waterford
With two top brewers in our top 10, we’re really starting to think that there must be something in the water down there in the Déise. The brainchild of couple, Tim and Gráinne, has gone from strength to strength since their first brew back in 2012. Metalman took its name from the navigational aid off Waterford’s coast in Tramore. But if you start asking a beer for directions, you may have had one too many!
Find out more about what to see in Waterford in our guide here.
O’Hara’s (Carlow Brewing), Co. Carlow
O’Hara’s is often seen as one of the pioneering brewers of the Irish craft boom, and with perhaps the strongest presence across Irish pubs and off licenses, it’s very easy to see why. Its core range of seven brews (ranging from lagers to IPAs to stouts) is complemented perfectly by its series of draught only beers. You might just have to pop down to its bar in Kilkenny to try these; wouldn’t a beer tasting weekend away be just awful!
The Porterhouse, Co. Dublin
Without doubt the grandfather of Irish craft brewers. Set up in 1989, The Porterhouse helped lead the way for brewer and craft fan alike. With a staggering range of over 10 in its signature selection, as well as countless other seaso
nal brews, The Porterhouse is a formidable figure in Irish brewing. Finding its wares isn’t too difficult either with six Porterhouse pubs across Ireland (as well as London and New York for good measure).
Check out our Dublin Off the DART guide here for more information on what to see and do in the capital.
Treaty City Brewing Co., Co. Limerick
A relative newbie to the game, Treaty City first hit the shelves in 2014 and since then, has been making strong waves since with a unique own brand of independent artisan brewing. Treaty’s brews are currently made only in small batches, focusing on using many local Irish ingredients.
For more information on Limerick, check out our guide to city and county here.
Trouble Brewing, Co. Kildare
Stirring up trouble since 2010, Trouble Brewing is one of the quirkier breweries in Ireland with some dark and humorous images and names across its beers (Fuzzy Logic, for example). Ardent beer fans as well as brewers, Trouble likes to share a lot of love with its favourite beer houses, brewing exclusive beers and ales for selected bars across Dublin.
White Gypsy, Co. Tipperary
White Gypsy have come to be known as the hardest working brewery in Ireland. After a rocky start getting off the ground, having moved home from Germany to Singapore and Kinsale before finally coming to rest in Templemore, it has now established itself as one of Ireland’s most recognisable craft brews. With a selection of two draught and four bottled brews in its range, White Gypsy is a name you’ll be hearing a lot more often at the counter!
… Ok, so now we know about the brewers, where can we find the beers? Well, since you asked so nicely…
The Bars
Blind Pig, Limerick City
A craft brew beacon in the heart of Limerick city’s Thomas Street, The Blind Pig prides itself on providing only the best in world craft beers. A haven for anyone looking for something a little off-beat and quirky, The Blind Pig is also a great place to find Limerick’s own Treaty City brews.
Brewery Corner, Kilkenny City
This little bar was opened to rave reviews in 2013 by O’Hara’s Brewery. Set in what could be described as Kilkenny’s pub district, Brewery Corner is one of the only spots in the country you can get your hands on the entire range of O’Hara’s brews in one place.
Find out more about Kilkenny’s great pubs (and much more) in our Kilkenny guide here.
Franciscan Well Brew Pub, Cork City
A shining light in Cork’s worthy craft brewing experience, crafty brewer Franciscan Well’s flagship pub boasts perhaps the best beer garden in the city. Located right next to the Franciscan Well brewery, you’re guaranteed to get a fresh pint of local favourite, Rebel Red.
The Porterhouse, Dublin City
Porterhouse Brewing Company’s first brewpub opened in 1996 in Temple Bar and it may well be the ember that sparked the craft brewing fire in Ireland. With an ample selection of The Porterhouse’s own brews, as well as a formidable selection of beers from across the world, we’re finding it hard to think of a better spot in Dublin to treat your tastebuds to something new.
The Salt House, Galway City
We’re not even sure how it’s possible to have over 150 different beers under one roof, but The Salt House overlooking The Claddagh in Galway manages it. Even more impressive, the staff has great knowledge of each of them! This is the only spot for travelling brew connoisseurs in the City of the Tribes.
Find out more about Galway’s offering in our Galway guide here.
Let us know in the comments section if you’ve got any tips on great Irish craft beers or if we left out your favourite craft bar.
PS: Make sure to drink responsibly!
Adam Leahy
The Best of Ireland Series 