Most Popular Irish Beers: A Guide to the 3 Common Types

Most popular irish beers

In this article, we will explore the most popular Irish beers and provide recommendations for some of the best examples of each.

Ireland is home to a rich brewing tradition and a diverse range of beer styles. From crisp lagers and refreshing stouts to rich, amber ales and hearty porters, there is an Irish beer to suit every taste. In this article, we will explore the most popular Irish beers and provide recommendations for some of the best examples of each.

Irish Stout

Most popular irish beers
This style of beer is made with roasted barley

Irish stout is perhaps the most iconic and well-known style of Irish beer, and is characterized by its dark, rich color and creamy, smooth texture. This style of beer is made with roasted barley, which gives it its distinctive flavor and appearance. Some popular examples of Irish stout include:

  • Guinness: Guinness is perhaps the most well-known Irish stout, and is known for its rich, malty flavor and creamy, smooth texture. It is brewed using a unique blend of barley, hops, and water, and is fermented using a proprietary strain of yeast.
  • Murphy’s Irish Stout: This Irish stout is known for its rich, malty flavor and creamy, smooth texture, and is brewed using a combination of pale and roasted barley, hops, and water.
  • Beamish Irish Stout: Beamish is a classic Irish stout with a rich, malty flavor and a creamy, smooth texture. It is brewed using a combination of pale and roasted barley, hops, and water.

Irish Red Ale

Irish red ale
This classic Irish red ale is known for its smooth, malty flavor and caramel notes

Irish red ale is a style of amber-colored ale that is characterized by its smooth, malty flavor and caramel notes. This style of beer is made with a combination of pale and roasted barley, and is often fermented using Irish ale yeast, which gives it a distinctive flavor profile. Some popular examples of Irish red ale include:

  • Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale: This classic Irish red ale is known for its smooth, malty flavor and caramel notes, and is brewed using a combination of pale and roasted barley, hops, and water.
  • Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale: Kilkenny is an Irish cream ale that is known for its smooth, creamy texture and rich, malty flavor. It is brewed using a combination of pale and roasted barley, hops, and water, and is fermented using Irish ale yeast.
  • O’Hara’s Irish Red Ale: O’Hara’s is a refreshing Irish red ale with a smooth, malty flavor and a hint of caramel. It is brewed using a combination of pale and roasted barley, hops, and water, and is fermented using Irish ale yeast.

Irish Lager

Irish Lager
Harp is a classic Irish lager with a crisp, refreshing flavor and a light, golden color

Irish lager is a crisp, refreshing style of beer that is characterized by its light, golden color and clean, crisp flavor. This style of beer is made with pale malt and is fermented using lager yeast, which gives it a clean and crisp flavor profile.

Some popular examples of Irish lager include:

  • Harp Lager: Harp is a classic Irish lager with a crisp, refreshing flavor and a light, golden color. It is brewed using pale malt and is fermented using lager yeast.
  • Boyne Brewhouse Beers: These include a crisp and refreshing Irish lager with a light, golden color and a clean, crisp flavor. It is brewed using pale malt and is fermented with lager yeast.

Final Word About The Most Popular Irish Beers

Ireland is home to a rich brewing tradition and a diverse range of beer styles. From crisp lagers and refreshing stouts to rich, amber ales and hearty porters, there is an Irish beer to suit every taste. Whether you prefer a rich and creamy stout, a smooth and malty red ale, or a crisp and refreshing lager, there is an Irish beer to suit your preferences. So why not raise a pint of one of these classic Irish beers and toast to the Emerald Isle’s rich brewing tradition?