Best Irish Beers to Try in Dublin

Guinness Storehouse exterior – By Steven Lek – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51039263

Dublin is the place for tourists to flock to when they head to the Emerald Isle. Although The West Coast is home to some of the best music, food, beer, and ‘craic’, — you’ll see what we mean later — Dublin is arguably the busiest and liveliest city in Ireland.

With the Guinness Storehouse, exciting atmosphere, nighttime clubs, outdoor parks, and cultural attractions, you can easily spend an entire weekend here and never run out of things to do!

Of course, on your list for one of the top reasons you are heading to Ireland HAS to be the beer. Right? Even though Ireland is surprisingly not at the top of the list when it comes to the most beer consumed (an Eastern European favorite takes the top spot on that list), they sure know how to drink — and they drink good beer, too.

Don’t just settle for a Corona or Bud Light. Try some of Ireland’s best home-grown beers to get a feel for the local flavor.

Guinness

Guinness advertisement states “Guinness is good for you” – By Ardfern – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11199810

Guinness is the most famous Irish beer on the planet — and for good reason. If you spend enough time here drinking pints of Guinness, you will soon learn what the ‘perfect pint’ means. Soon you will be analyzing the pull of the bartender and seeing if they let the foam settle before finishing the poor. They didn’t? Head somewhere else! How could we not? 

Murphy’s Irish Stout

Murphy’s Irish Stout – By Biosketch – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=88915941

Looking for a dark beer that is something different than Guinness (for once!)? This staple from County Cork, one of the most picturesque counties in Ireland, has been produced since the mid 19th century — and remains one of the most popular options for an after-dinner pint. 

Smithwick’s Red Ale

St. Francis Abbey Brewery, Kilkenny – By Lynn F – https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnmarie/7954770840/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110632449

Need something a bit lighter for a full day of drinking pins while outside on the rare sunny day? Smithwick’s Red Ale is lighter, crisper, and sweeter than other typical Irish hearty and dark beers. We love the unique flavor of this beer that rivals more of an English pale ale than an Irish stout. 

Harp Lager

Advertising hoarding on Botanic Avenue Belfast – By Ross, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13831459

The Harp lager is the perfect pilsner for a warm day in Dublin. With a ‘crisp and clean finish’ as advertised on the 6-pack container, this light beer has only 4.5% alcohol — meaning you can pace yourself and remember all of the Irish fun you are about to have! 

O’Hara’s Irish Stout

Double Oat Malt Stout – By Antti T. Nissinen – https://www.flickr.com/photos/veisto/13242776044/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81884966

Okay, and we’re back to the typical Irish beers. This full-bodied Irish stout is craft- brewed in-country and perfect for an after-dinner drink, hearty and filling point for an afternoon in a dark and local pub, or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Coffee lovers, this one’s for you. 

The Porterhouse Brew Co

Live music at The Porterhouse, Temple Bar in 2014 – By M M from Switzerland – Dublin and Howth, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40537084

This “Rambler” beer is a juicy pale ale that is great for the summer days in Duli. If you are headed to one of the outside music festivals or parks, this creation from Porterhouse Brew Co is a fruity and light choice for having more than one. Go on, we won’t tell.

Lough Gill Brewery Wild Irish Gose

Gose Beer – By Dtuk – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32762556

Ever hear of a Gose? This less-popular beer is actually a top choice for craft beer enthusiasts around the world. This IPA-type drink is great for beer lovers who are tired of the typical ales and stouts. Plus, we love the tart and sweet flavor at the end of every sip. 

Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale

Kilkenny Irish beer – By LeeKeoma – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18708989

With a smooth caramel flavor that is like a piece of pie or scoop of ice cream for dessert, this cream ale is best served cold — giving the feeling of having a nice scoop of gelato or heavy cream with your pie slice after a Guinness stew. At 4.3% alcohol per volume, this drink is also not as heavy as you would guess!

Kaliber NA Beer

We love this non-alcoholic beer for times when you just don’t want to drink but want the flavor. Plus, Irish beers have great flavor, so sometimes you just want the intense hoppy sips without the buzzy feeling. 

Hop House 13 Lager

Hop House 13 Bottle Cap – By 5snake5 – Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91192111

You really can’t go wrong with a classic lager. Perfect for all-year-round drinking, the Hop House 13 is the ideal option that is a branch-off of the typical Guinness offering.