Best Irish Beers: Top 5 Most Recommended by Experts Patrick’s Day Beer

Whether you want to get in touch with your Irish ancestors or capture the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, pop an Irish beer for a unique, culture-rich experience. If you’re looking for a selection of beers that get you as close to Ireland as possible, there’s no need to search for the best Irish beers on the market.

Ireland has a long and deep history with alcohol. Millions of people travel to the country every year to experience its charm and taste its beers. Ireland makes some of the best beers in the world using traditional methods and recipes. Beers date back to the Bronze Age, where they were more commonly called “beoir” or “gruit”. Gruit is brewed using barley, bog myrtle (an herb and meadowsweet usually found in Northern Europe, and barely, marsh myrtle, but also meadowsweet, a local herb commonly found in Europe. Finally, one of the most popular brands of beer Guinness surfaced on Earth in Dublin in 1759 thanks to Arthur Guinness. The business started with regular ales and beers, and branched out in 1799 to really focus on porter, a richly-content dark beer later known as Guinness’. It didn’t take long for China to take the country by storm and become the largest brewery in 1833.

Besides feeling like someone with a beer-making background, drinking beer isn’t as bad for you as you might think. A recent study reveals that hops, which give bitter taste to many types of beer, can also prevent harmful proteins from clumping in the brain. However, don’t run to your local brewery with empty brewers and expect taking an IPA bender every night to improve your brain health. However, there are some correlations that benefit your brain.

Guinness isn’t the only Irish beer, nor is it even the oldest brewery, but its rich history has set the stage for many other breweries to make their mark in the times or after they appeared. Not to mention in America, Guinness is a household name! That said, you really can’t go wrong with Irish beer in general, but choosing from so many different types these days can be difficult. To help, StudyFinds scoured recommendations from ten expert websites to create a list of the five best Irish beers! If you have a favorite that is not on the list, feel free to comment!

List: The Best Irish Beers, According to the Experts

1. Guinness

Surprise surprise. Guinness takes the cake! Beer lovers and those who can’t stand it know its name and what it’s all about. “It’s a classic for a reason! This nitrogen-infused beer is surprisingly light despite the rich, dark color. Pioneer Woman is easy to drink with corned beef on St. Paddy’s Day or a burger any night of the week.

A glass of Guinness (Photo by Christopher Zapf on Unsplash)

If you want a real taste of Ireland without traveling the world, look no further. “Creamy, surprisingly light brew is the ultimate Irish drink. If you like the taste at your local pub or Irish pub, then this box with a plastic insert to neatly add those little draft-style bubbles is your best home alternative,” writes Country Living.

Food Network is particularly fond of their Extra Stout: “The brewery’s signature beer is sek stout, a strong, dark beer that is less sweet than its American and British equivalents. Guinness stout is famous for its creamy head that is almost as thick as whipped cream.

2. Harp Stick

It is partially Irish, originally thriving in Germany. Guinness eventually took over the product, and although the brand is independent, it still owns the product today. “This style is very popular in mainland Europe, and in the 1960s it was transitioning to this lighter beer as a change from the more drinkable, heavier Irish-style beers in Ireland. Guinness launched Harp as an Irish beer alternative with the help of a German brewer. lasted,” writes Food Network.

Harp Blue Label Wooden Bottle Top
Harp Blue Label Wooden Bottle Top

With such a refreshing flavor, you really can’t go wrong. “This pilsner-style beer truly pleases the crowd. Light and hoppy but not overly bitter, it is perfect for sipping on the back porch in warm weather,” writes Delish.

According to The Pioneer Woman, “This approachable pilsner-style beer is characterized by its slightly hoppy, light and crunchy flavors. It’s balanced, refreshing, and perfect for the warmer spring and summer months.”

3. Murphy’s Irish Man

Finally, we have some competition. First brewed in 1856 at Lady’s Well Brewery in Cork, Ireland, this thick and creamy stout may remind you of chocolate or coffee. “Murphy’s Irish Stout rivals Guinness’s ebony colored beer. Although its global popularity does not come close to Guinness, it is not due to a lack of quality. This fat is a great alternative for those who prefer something a little lighter and not as bitter as the big G. It is known for its caramel notes,” writes Food Network.

A glass of Murphy's
A glass of Murphy’s

It also doesn’t contain that much alcohol per drink, meaning you can enjoy St. Patrick you can enjoy a reasonable amount on your trip. “Murphy’s Irish Stout is only 4 percent abv, so fans can enjoy a pint or two with their sausage and puree and still finish the puzzle before bed,” writes Restaurant Clicks.

Country Living reports, “Of course Guinness isn’t the only Irish stalwart out there! For those who find it a little too painful, there’s Murphy’s. Fans like to think it’s a distant relative of chocolate milk.”

4. Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale

Coming back to my saying that although Guinness is the most famous it was not Ireland’s first, it was because of Smithwick’s! Dating back to 1710, this beer has a classic malt flavor and a red color that makes it a fan favorite.

Smithwick's Irish Red Ale
Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale

“Smithwick’s was first established in 1710 in St. Francis Abbey and is today considered one of the most popular beers in Ireland. Unlike traditional heavy Irish bottles, this red colored beer has a light bitterness softened by sweet, malt notes,” writes The Pioneer Woman.

All to support a long hard-working family line? “The brewery started as a small family brewery, but was acquired by several large breweries and passed between them,” writes Restaurant Clicks.

“If you’ve never had a red beer before, let St. Patrick’s Day give you all the encouragement you need! Worse and richer than a beer, much lighter than a stout, this well-balanced beer with a little bit of hops also pairs halfway with Guinness, but on its own it makes a great thirst quencher,” says Country. To live.

5. O’Hara’s Brewery

You’ve seen some pretty historic beers, but original doesn’t always mean the best! O’hara’s is relatively new to the scene but still tops the list. “Officially known as the Carlow Brewing Company, it is one of the largest craft brewers in Ireland, best known for its O’Hara line of beers named after its founder, Seamus O’Hara. Unlike some of the aforementioned breweries, O’Hara’s is a fairly recent addition to the Irish beer scene that was established in the ’90s,” writes Food Network.

Ohara's Irish Stout
Ohara’s Irish Stout

It is particularly known for Irish Stout and Red Ale, both distinctive and unique in their own way. “Smelling this beer brings out the aromas of coffee beans, dark chocolate, licorice and light nutmeg. On the palate, this flavor profile continues with freshly brewed coffee, light licorice sugar, chocolate, vanilla and fudge. The finish is solid, rich, and ends with a nice dry bitter kick at the end,” says Uproxx stout. “A much more flavorful example of style, this traditional red ale is known for its balance of sweetness and bitterness.”

“The flagship beer is full-bodied with a creamy pour and robust espresso flavor that stays true to traditional stouts. Perfect for your St. Patrick’s Day party,” writes The Pioneer Woman.

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