8 irish beers to drink on st p

Even though Guinness is widely considered the king of St. Patty’s day beers, we’re going to go out on a limb and suggest you mix things up a bit and try one of these 8 equally Irish brews. At the very least, you can work a couple of these into your rotation for a little variety.

8) Harp Lager

ABV: 5.0%
Brewed by: Guinness & Co.

Why you should try it:
Northern Ireland’s number one lager, Harp has won six gold medals in the annual Monde Selection beer tasting competition.

7) Kinsale Irish Lager

ABV: 4.3%
Brewed by: Kinsale Brewing Company, Co.

Why you should try it:
A refreshing and very drinkable beer somewhat similar to Harp Lager.

6) Smithwick’s Irish Ale

ABV: 5.0%
Brewed by: Guinness & Co.

Why you should try it:
Smithwick’s is Ireland’s number one ale and is listed as one of the top five best tasting beers by the McHale beer rating club of Ireland.

5) Murphy’s Irish Red

ABV: 5.2%
Brewed by: Murphy Brewery Ireland Limited

Why you should try it:
“Irish Red” was launched after Murphy’s was purchased by Heineken International in 1983 and was awarded a silver medal at the 2000 Brewing Industry International Awards.

4) Kilkenny Irish (Cream Ale)

ABV: 4.3%
Brewed by: Smithwick’s Brewery / Irish Ale Breweries Ltd

Why you should try it:
Kilkenny originated in Ireland’s oldest brewery and is one of the best-selling ale-beers in the Nordic countries and Finland. And if the Finnish are drinking it, you should be too.

3) O’Hara’s Celtic Stout

ABV: 4.3%
Brewed by: Carlow Brewing Company

Why you should try it:
In April 2000, a panel of 33 International Brewing Experts voted O’hara’s Celtic Stout the World’s Number One Stout above 74 competing products.

2) Beamish Stout

ABV: 4.1%
Brewed by: Beamish and Crawford Plc.

Why you should try it:
Until recently Beamish was the only Irish Stout being brewed exclusively in Ireland and in 1996 it was awarded Best Stout in the World” at the International Brewing Industry awards.

1) Murphy’s Irish Stout

ABV: 4.0%
Brewed by: Murphy Brewery Ireland Limited

Why you should try it:
The main competitor of Guinness, but less bitter, Murphy’s Irish Stout is sweeter and dryer than Guinness or Beamish, and has been described as, “a distant relative of chocolate milk.” Basically, you should be able to drink these all day long.