Craft Beer

Raise a glass to St Patrick

Here are our five favourite Irish-inspired beers to celebrate with on St Patrick’s Day

Guinness

Fondly known as ‘the black stuff’, Guinness is undoubtedly Ireland’s most famous export. Brewed in Dublin since 1759, its makers still use the same recipe for this dry stout; water, barley, roast malt extract and brewers yeast, roasting a portion of the barley to give the beer its characteristic dark colour and flavour.

Kilkenny Irish Ale

The real deal, directly from the land of the leprechauns. Kilkenny is brewed at Ireland’s oldest established brewery, the 14th century St Francis Abbey in Kilkenny. Brewed from 100 per cent Irish malt, it has a distinctive ruby red colour and a smooth, creamy flavour.

Panhead Blacktop Oatmeal Stout

Based on a classic Irish beer, this flaxen malt-based stout combines with caramelised golden oatmeal for a full mouthful. Roasted coffee and chocolate flavours combine with a New Zealand twist – a hoppy zing that leads into a long finish.

Tuatara Black Toasted Malt Stout

Made with a five-grain malt base, toasted for depth of colour and with a rich coffee and cereal flavour. They’ve also added the non-traditional hops for a complex but very Kiwi re-make of an old classic.

Mac’s Black Mac Porter

Porter took Ireland by storm in the 18th century and this contemporary brew combines smooth, dark malts with fuggle hops for an aromatic beer with a rich chocolate and caramel finish.

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