Search locations or food
OR
Sign up

What to drink in Ireland? Top 15 Irish Beers

Last update: Wed Feb 26 2025
Top 15 Irish Beers
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Irish Beer Types

01
Guinness Draught
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Guinness Draught is an iconic dark Irish stout that is made from malted barley and roasted unmalted barley. To this day, Guinness remains one of the most exported beers in the world. The story of its invention starts with Arthur Guinness, who founded the brewery in 1759.


At the time, lagers were all the rage, but Arthur decided to experiment with a dark beer known as porter that was becoming immensely popular in England. Unlike other breweries, Guinness heavily relied on export, sending its strong black beer all across the world. 
02
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Irish dry stout evolved from stout porters—slightly stronger and fuller porters that were popular in England in the 1800s. It grew as a separate style due to the use of roasted barley, and though the style was common in Ireland and England, in the 20th century, it became the most common option in Ireland.


Irish stout is one of the most popular stout varieties, and its most typical representative is a dark and opaque Guinness. Typically, Irish dry stouts will have flavors of roasted grain or malt, while the aromas are usually reminiscent of coffee, with possible hints of chocolate or cocoa. 
VARIATIONS OF Irish dry stout
03
Ate it? Rate it
Wanna try?
Add to list

Irish red ale is a beer style that has its origin in Ireland, but whose exact history is difficult to pinpoint. Although there are significant variations, the beers falling in this category will be amber or red and moderately malty, usually with caramel or toffee sweetness.


The aromas and flavors are slightly malty, with possible hints of caramel or butter, while the finish is dry and roasty. The style originated in Ireland, but it is also a mainstay in American breweries. Irish version will usually be less hoppy and less sweet than international varieties. 
THE BEST Irish red ale Ales
1 Outraged Daughters
Wise Man Brewing
Outraged Daughters

4.8

Rate It

Great American Beer Festival - Gold 2021

2 Good, Not Great
Storm Breaker Brewing
Good, Not Great

4.8

Rate It

World Beer Cup - Gold 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Irish Beer Producers

01

Beer

LETTERKENNY, Ireland
5.0
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2022

World Beer Cup - Gold

2022

BEST Kinnegar Brewing Beers
02

Beer

COUNTY GALWAY, Ireland
5.0
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

International Beer Challenge - Best Speciality Beer

2020

BEST BRÚ BREWERY Beers
03
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

International Brewing Awards - Gold

2017

BEST Sullivan's Brewing Company Beers
04
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

Carlow Brewing Company is an Irish brewery located in Carlow, Ireland. Founded in 1998, Carlow Brewing Company is known for its commitment to producing high-quality beers using traditional brewing methods and the finest ingredients. The brewery produces a wide range of beers, including lagers, ales, stouts, and specialty brews.


One of the most well-known brands from Carlow Brewing Company is O'Hara's, a line of beers that includes O'Hara's Irish Stout, O'Hara's Red, and O'Hara's Pale Ale. O'Hara's beers are recognized for their rich flavor and high standards of brewing, often associated with traditional Irish beer styles but with a modern twist.
AWARDS

International Beer Challenge - Best Stout or Porter

2020

BEST Carlow Brewing Company Beers
05

Beer

COUNTY CORK, Ireland
5.0
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold

2023

BEST Blacks Brewery Beers
06

Beer

STRADBALLY, Ireland
5.0
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

BEST Ballykilcavan Brewery Beers
07

Beer

KILLARNEY, Ireland
5.0
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022, 2021

BEST Killarney Brewing Company Beers
08

Beer

CELBRIDGE, Ireland
4.8
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List

Rye River Brewing Company is an independent craft brewery based in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. Established in 2013, they produce a wide range of beers under several brand names, including McGargles and Solas. Rye River Brewing Company has received multiple awards for their beers at international competitions.


They focus on using high-quality ingredients and traditional brewing techniques.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024, 2023, 2021

World Beer Awards - World’s Best Stout & Porter

2020

09

Beer

KILCOOLE, Ireland
4.7
Rate it
Wanna try?
Add To List
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars

2024

BEST O Brother Brewing Beers
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

Show Map
Irish Beers