Exploring Ireland’s Craft Beer Delights

Craft beers have surged in popularity in recent years, captivating the palates of beer enthusiasts Ireland-wide. Unlike mass-produced beers, craft beers are renowned for their unique flavors, innovative brewing techniques, and their emphasis on quality ingredients.

This rise in popularity reflects a growing appreciation for artisanal craftsmanship and a desire for more diverse and flavourful beer options.

Irish craft breweries around the country have themselves become hubs of creativity and experimentation, attracting a dedicated following of beer connoisseurs eager to explore the rich tapestry of flavours offered by these distinctive brews. Many of them offer tours and select events at their brewery premises.

The Resurgence Of Irish Craft Brewing

Irish craft beer has a storied history that stretches back for centuries. Traditionally, Ireland was known for its brewing heritage, with records dating as far back as the early medieval period. Brewing was an integral part of Irish culture and society, with monasteries and households producing beer for local consumption.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Ireland experienced a boom in commercial brewing, with many breweries established across the country. In the late 20th century, a resurgence of interest in traditional brewing methods and unique flavour profiles sparked the modern craft beer movement in Ireland.

Inspired by the country’s brewing heritage and fueled by a desire for innovation, a new generation of brewers began experimenting with different ingredients, techniques, and styles.

Savour The Many Many Flavours!

Diversity reigns supreme within the Irish craft beer community, and innovation knows no bounds. From crisp LagerPilsners to bold IPAs and aromatic Pale Ales, there’s a style to tantalise every palate.

Dive into the tangy complexity of Sour Ales or savor the rich, roasted notes of a classic Stout. With each sip, discover the artistry and passion of Ireland’s craft brewers as they push the boundaries of flavor and redefine traditional styles. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Irish craft beer offers a delicious adventure waiting to be explored.

FunFact: Did you know that not all lagers are pilsner but a pilsner is a lager? Pilsner is a type of lager beer that is characterised by its crisp, clean taste and slightly bitter finish, while lager refers to a broader category of beers that are fermented and conditioned at low temperatures.

What’s So Unique About Craft Beers?

Craft beers are unique because they tend to use high-quality ingredients like specialty malts and hops, and they employ innovative brewing techniques to create distinctive flavors and styles. Craft beer breweries tend to be small and focus on producing interesting unique beers rather than high quantities.

Kinnegar Brewery in Donegal, for example, focuses on small-batch brewing, using traditional methods combined with modern innovation to craft their beers, resulting in unique and flavorful brews. Similarly, Wicklow Wolf Brewery showcases creativity with their Solstice Tropical Sour, utilising a blend of tropical fruits and a souring technique to create a refreshing and tangy brew with vibrant tropical flavors.

Explore Our Craft Beer Recommendations

There’s a lot to love about Irish craft beer and a lot of options to enjoy. Ireland is blessed with brewers who love nothing more than to produce interesting and distinctive beers that delight and refresh.

Whether you are just getting started on your craft beer adventure or are already sold on the qualities of Irish craft beer, you’ll enjoy our craft beer recommendations.

Irish Craft Lager/Pilsner

Lager/Pilsners are crisp, clean, and refreshing and offer a smooth drinking experience with subtle maltiness and a light hop character, perfect for any occasion, from a casual gathering to a summer barbecue.

Try These Craft Lager/Pilsners

Brewed in Dublin, Whiplash Blue Ghosts Pils boasts a crisp, clean taste with subtle malt sweetness and a refreshing bitterness. Whilst hailing from Sligo on the west coast, The White Hag Roc Helles offers a smooth, balanced flavor with a hint of toasted malt.

Irish Craft Pale Ales

Pale ales boast a balance of hop bitterness and malt sweetness, offering a refreshing taste with floral, fruity, and citrus notes, making them a versatile choice for beer enthusiasts.

Try These Craft Pale Ales

Waterford’s Hopfully Brewery’s Insideout Pale Ale delivers vibrant citrus and tropical fruit notes with a crisp, hoppy finish. Kinnegar Limeburner Pale Ale combines zesty lime and floral hops for a refreshing, easy-drinking brew.

Irish Craft IPAs

 IPAs aka India Pale Ales are known for their bold hop character, IPAs feature a prominent bitterness alongside citrus, pine, and floral aromas, providing a complex and robust flavor profile cherished by hop lovers.

Try These Craft IPAs

Galway Bay Full Sail IPA bursts with bold hop flavors of pine and citrus balanced by a malty backbone. Hopfully Shinebright IPA showcases juicy tropical fruit flavors with a resinous hop bitterness and Kinnegar Scraggy Bay IPA features a blend of American and European hops for a complex, fruity aroma and a lingering bitterness.

Irish Craft Sour Ales

Sour ales offer a unique twist with their tart and tangy flavour profile, often featuring fruity or funky undertones, creating a refreshing and adventurous drinking experience for those seeking something different.

Try These Craft Sour Ales

The White Hag Puca offers a tart, fruity punch with notes of berries and stone fruits whilst Wicklow Wolf Raindrop Mixed Berry Sour delights with a vibrant medley of berry flavors balanced by a tangy acidity.

Irish Craft Stouts

Rich, dark, and full-bodied, stouts are celebrated for their roasted malt flavors with hints of coffee, chocolate, and caramel, offering a satisfyingly smooth and indulgent drinking experience, perfect for cooler evenings.

Try These Craft Stouts

Stag Stout Gluten-Free presents rich roasted malt flavors with hints of chocolate and coffee in a smooth, velvety texture. You might also enjoy Wicklow Wolf’s Apex Oatmeal Stout which boasts a creamy mouthfeel with flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and a subtle oat sweetness.

With each sip of Irish craft beer, you will discover the artistry and passion of Ireland’s craft brewers as they push the boundaries of flavour and redefine traditional styles. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Irish craft beer offers a delicious adventure waiting to be explored.