12 Irish Beer Brands That You Absolutely Must Try

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You don’t need to take a trip to Ireland to experience the flavors of an authentic Irish pub. Just whip up a classic Irish stew and your favorite potato recipes, then pour yourself a pint from one of these popular Irish beer brands. Whether you’re looking for something that’s rich and comforting to pair with your traditional Irish dinner or something light and refreshing, there’s a bottle or can on this list that’ll fit your style. And since most of these beers are made in Ireland, it'll feel authentic to the history of St. Patrick’s Day. You may even decide to whip up our loaded Irish nachos for a fun St. Paddy’s Day bar snack that you can make at home.

Our Top Picks

Ahead, we've rounded up some of our favorite Irish beers—including lagers, ales, classic stouts, and even a cider to mix things up—so you can find a brand for every taste. While you may have seen or heard of some of the bigger beer brands (like Guinness) on this list, others will be lesser-known or craft beers that you'll want to learn more about. Of course, the best way to learn about new beers is to go out and drink them—but before you do, check out this list.

Even if you don't drink beer often, these top Irish beer brands are perfect for cooking with: Try using Irish beer in this beer-cheese dip or a classic corned beef and cabbage; you can even bake with beer in this easy recipe for Guinness brownies.

Lough Gill Lager

Situated in the town of Sligo of Northern Ireland, this craft brewery creates a range of unique beers, including the Lough Gill Lager that's light-bodied, refreshing, and perfectly crisp.

Guinness Baltimore Blonde

Although this beer isn't actually made in Ireland (it's brewed in Baltimore, Maryland!), the Guinness Blonde uses Irish brewing traditions. In fact, the company calls it their take on "Irish tradition meets American Spirit." Try it for its gentle clean and citrusy flavor.

O'Hara's Irish Stout Nitro

Infusing beer with nitrogen gas will give it that creamy, mildly carbonated mouthfeel and cascading effect that reminds you of a fresh draught pour. As for the taste, you'll get a rich, coffee-like flavor with notes of licorice.

Guinness Draught

It's a classic for a reason! This nitrogen-infused beer is surprisingly light despite the rich, dark color. It's easy to drink with corned beef on St. Paddy's Day or a burger any night of the week.

Harp Lager

This approachable pilsner style lager is characterized by its slightly hoppy, light, and crisp flavors. It's balanced, refreshing, and perfect for the warmer months of spring and summer.

O'Hara's Irish Stout

Unlike the big-name stouts (like Guinness), O'Hara's is an independent family-owned company that's still craft-brewed in Ireland. Its flagship beer is full-bodied with a creamy pour and robust espresso flavor that stays true to traditional stouts. It's perfect for your St. Patrick's Day party.

Sullivan's Maltings Irish Ale

For a sip of Irish history, try this classic red ale from Sullivan's Brewing Company which first opened for business over 300 years ago in the city of Kilkenny.

Smithwick's Red Ale

Smithwick's was originally brewed in the heart of Kilkenny at St. Francis Abbey in 1710, and today it is considered one of the most popular ales in Ireland. Unlike traditional heavy Irish stouts, this red-colored beer has a gentle bitterness that's toned out by sweet, malty notes.

Guinness Extra Stout

We couldn’t have a guide to Irish beers without the iconic Guinness. This stout originated in Dublin in 1759 and while it might be just a marketing ploy, the company recommends pouring its beer using a special 2-part method to create the perfect pint. Or you can just pour it over a scoop of ice cream in this Guinness Float.

Magners Irish Cider

While not technically a beer, Magners is an Irish hard cider that would make a great addition to your St. Paddy’s Day party. Made using the same recipe created by its founder over 80 years ago, Magners uses 17 varieties of apples and a fermentation process that takes up to two years to make!

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