Wednesday, 26 May 2010

• A List of Irish Beer

  
  
  Here's a post that was suggested by a friend - a list of some good Irish beers.
  
  Ireland is particularly known for two beer styles - The Irish Red (which is an Amber-colored Pale Ale, usually featuring a caramel malt backbone with a bready/yeasty undertone and a light, earthy bitterness), and the Dry Stout (which has a very coffee-like, dry taste to it, hence the name).

  
  
  All but one of the beers listed here are representative of these styles. No, putting green food coloring in your Bud Light (shudder!) does not mean you're drinking Irish beer - but here's a general rule: If you like lighter beers, go with an Irish Red. If you like darker, fuller beers: go with a Dry Stout. Broad generalization, but it's generally a good guide to follow. 
  
  
  Unfortunately there aren't a whole lot of Irish beers available in the US unless you know where to look. That said, if you want to get your inner Irishman (or Irishwoman) on, here's a list of beers that should do it for you with good style, flavor, and class:
  
  1.  Smithwick's: (Pronounced "Smid-icks"), a very good Irish Red Ale brewed by Guinness. A nice caramel malty backbone with some yeasty/bready undertones and a mild tea-like bitterness. A "B" on my rating scale, and one of my favorite all-time session beers.
  
  2. Guinness: The most well-known Irish beer in the states. Takes on many forms, and although most Guinness we get here is brewed in Canada, you can still get real Irish-brewed Guinness. Whereas Canadian Guinness ranks a "B-" to a "B+" depending on which version you're drinking, Irish Guinness (such as Foreign Extra Stout or Special Export Stout) gets top marks with an "A-" or an "A" rating depending on which one.
  
  3. O'Hara's Irish Red Ale: From the Carlow Brewing Company. A very low alcohol content beer (4.3%). A bit more intense hop bite than Smithwick's, with the same amount of sweet caramel goodness, and some fruity and floral undertones as well. A great all-around beer, a "B+" on my scale.
  
  4. Harp Lager: Brewed by Guinness. The "tan" part of a "black and tan." A good beer for those that enjoy American Light Lagers. Not much flavor going on here, the malts are a bit sweet with a very faint hop bitterness. Think American Light Lager without the skunky adjuncts. A mediocre "C" rating from me.
  
  5. Caffrey's Irish Ale: Similar to Smithwicks, though usually served out of a Nitro can. Heads up much like fresh-from-the-tap Guinness, though not too big on flavor. Would be a good option for those of you that like lighter beers, if you can find it (it can be difficult). A "B-" rating.
  
  6. Beamish Irish Stout: Served usually in a Nitro Can like canned Guinness Draught. Has that classic Irish Dry Stout taste - coffee, chocolate malt, and a fair amount of bitterness. It's rather creamy and smooth though. It's a new import to the US, but if you can find some get your hands on some, it's really good. A "B+" from me.
  
  7.  Murphy's Stout: Much like Guinness Draught or Beamish, served in Nitro cans. A fair bit sweeter than either Beamish or Guinness, but a very good, drinkable stout nonetheless, though it can be a bit of a challenge to find in some parts of the US. A "B+" Beer and winner for sure.
  
  Now, there are some very good American-made Irish beers as well. Some of these are only available regionally, but due to the internet, you can now buy beer online (as I have done several times), so don't be afraid to mail-order a six pack or two here and there. Here are a few of my favorites:
  
  1.  Samuel Adams Irish Red: This is one of the best beers in the Samuel Adams lineup in my opinion. Malty, somewhat yeasty, and actually a bit hoppier than most Irish Reds I've tasted. Well balanced, complex flavor. I could drink these all day. A "B+" beer.
  
  2.  Brian Boru Irish Red: One of the best all-around American brewed Irish Reds from the Three Floyds Brewing Company. A huge malt bomb, with lots of chewy, caramely goodness in an easy drinking beer. One for the serious malt-heads among us. An "A-" beer.
  
  3. Great Lakes Irish Red: Another great example of an Irish Red Ale brewed right here in America. Can be hard to find in places, but oh-so-delicious. A "B+" beer.
  
  4.  Out Of Bounds Stout: A Dry Stout from Avery. A big, bold semi-sweet flavor that's big on caramel and chocolate malts, and has a coffee undertone with a slightly understated hop bitterness. This is a dry stout cream stout lovers will adore. An "A-" beer.
  
  5. Great Lakes Wolfhound Stout: Another candidate from Great Lakes (but damn, do they make some good beers!). Huge roasted caramel and chocolate malt characteristic, a strong coffee overtone and not too much hop bitterness. A fairly light-bodied dry stout, but very drinkable. Would be a good session stout. A "B+" beer.
  
  Of course, check out your local breweries to see what they have on tap as far as Irish-style beers go as well. Hopefully this gives you a starting point. Slainte!
  
  Does anyone else know of additional Irish beer brands that are not on this list?  Does anyone make better beers than Ireland?
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