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The Best Irish Beers To Drink On St. Patrick's Day
Ireland churns out way more beer than just Guinness.
When it comes to iconic St. Patrick's Day drinks, Guinness is probably the first that comes to mind. Indeed, sipping on an Irish beer feels like a holiday requirement. But Guinness is just one of the many fantastic brews hailing from the Emerald Isle, all of which deserve to be enjoyed on St. Paddy's Day.
So what kind of beer are we talking about? Guinness is big here for a reason: Ireland is most well-known for its stouts, which are generally characterized by roasted, unmalted barley and have a dark hue and toasty flavor. Also majorly popular are easy-drinking red ales, which tend to have a mild sweetness and a reddish tone. Hard cider—which isn't beer—is also a pub favorite, though it hardly resembles the sickly-sweet stuff Americans might associate with the category. Instead, Irish examples of the drink skew dry and refreshing.
Alongside these classic styles, Irish brewers also conjure takes on beers from around the globe, not to mention experimental brews that push the brewing envelope and challenge taste buds. They're all on this list, from light-bodied lagers and ruby-hued ales to hard ciders and roast-y stouts.
Fun fact: Some of the breweries behind these beers were founded way back in the 1700s, so you can be sure you're celebrating with the real deal. Pair them with bites of soda bread, hearty platefuls of slow-cooked corned beef and cabbage, and all manner of St. Paddy's-themed desserts.
And don't worry—there isn't a single green beer on this list. Green food coloring, you can take a hike.
Brewed since 1856 in Lady’s Well Brewery in Cork, Ireland, this creamy stout packs notes of toffee and coffee. Though dark in color, it sips with almost no bitterness, making it a great introductory beer for stout newbies.
OK, we couldn't not include Guinness on this list. This most famous of Irish stouts comes in a dozen varieties, including this chocolatey Extra Stout, which delivers notes of coffee and tobacco.
If you want a dark beer that smacks of Ireland's salt-splashed coastline, try this stout. It's brewed with fresh oysters—yes, really!—which lend the beverage a slightly salty, metallic quality. (Sorry, vegetarians—this one isn't for you.)
Cael & Crede Barrel Aged Amber Ale
Cael & Crede Barrel Aged Amber Ale
Ireland's other iconic beverage—Irish whiskey—makes a cameo in the brewing process of this amber ale from Cael & Crede. Barrel aged in Irish whiskey casks and made with locally-sourced Irish malt and water from the River Shannon, this libation is characterized by its creamy toffee and oaky notes and dry, whiskey-like finish.
Smithwick's, which dates back to as early as 1710, calls their beer Ireland's "most loved ale." Ruby red in color and with a creamy head, it's fruity on the nose with hints of caramel and biscuits. (Psst: In Ireland, a biscuit is a kind of cookie!)
Sullivan's Malting Irish Red Ale
Sullivan's Malting Irish Red Ale
This classic red ale is traditionally brewed with ale malt grown near Sullivan Brewing Company's main operation in Kilkenny, Ireland. Made with four malts, three types of hops, and a cask ale yeast, this Irish ale packs notes traditional notes of biscuit and caramel.
If you prefer cider to beer, Magners offers a semi-sweet, crisp drink made with 17 kinds of apples. Don't mistake this drink for a sugar bomb: It leans on the dry side and isn't overly fruity. Magners knows what it's doing, too: The operation has been making ciders in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland since 1935.
This pilsner-style lager is a true crowd pleaser. Light and hoppy but not overly bitter, it's perfect for sipping in warm weather on a back porch.
= O'Hara's Irish Craft Lager
= O'Hara's Irish Craft Lager
Founded in 1996, family-owned O'Hara's is a relative newbie compared to some of the legacy breweries on this list. It's all the more impressive, then, that this Barrow Valley operation has earned a name for itself with brews like this craft lager, which delivers hoppy bitterness, notes of citrus, and a long, dry finish.
Madison Flager is the Lifestyle Editor at Delish.com; she covers food news and trends, travel-worthy food experiences, and the products you need in your kitchen right now. She has a deep love of coffee and manchego cheese.
Alexis Morillo is the Associate Editor at Delish.com where she covers breaking food news and viral food trends.
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