Ireland
20
Cities
25
Breweries
130
Beers
Cities in Ireland
Cork
🇮🇪3
Breweries
7
Beers
Kilkenny
🇮🇪3
Breweries
3
Beers
Oranmore
🇮🇪2
Breweries
8
Beers
Athlone
🇮🇪1
Breweries
2
Beers
Ballinlough
🇮🇪1
Breweries
1
Beers
Ballyfermot
🇮🇪1
Breweries
5
Beers
Ballyferriter
🇮🇪1
Breweries
3
Beers
Ballymote
🇮🇪1
Breweries
16
Beers
Bray
🇮🇪1
Breweries
15
Beers
Cleveragh
🇮🇪1
Breweries
10
Beers
Clifden
🇮🇪1
Breweries
10
Beers
Dungarvan
🇮🇪1
Breweries
10
Beers
Kill
🇮🇪1
Breweries
9
Beers
Kilsallagh
🇮🇪1
Breweries
8
Beers
Macroom
🇮🇪1
Breweries
5
Beers
Mayfield
🇮🇪1
Breweries
1
Beers
Mitchelstown
🇮🇪1
Breweries
6
Beers
Roscrea
🇮🇪1
Breweries
1
Beers
Tallaght
🇮🇪1
Breweries
4
Beers
Templemore
🇮🇪1
Breweries
6
Beers
About Ireland's Beer Scene
Ireland's brewing legacy, forever linked with the iconic Guinness brand, encompasses far more than its famous dry stout. Irish brewing traditions reflect centuries of cultural development, from medieval monastic brewing through the rise and fall of Dublin as a major brewing center, to today's vibrant craft scene that honors tradition while embracing innovation.
Brewing History
Irish brewing history begins with early medieval monks who brewed ale as part of monastic life. By the 18th century, Ireland had become one of the world's great brewing nations, with Dublin alone home to over 50 breweries. The Guinness brewery at St. James's Gate, founded in 1759, grew to become the world's largest brewery by the 20th century. However, consolidation, taxation, and changing tastes reduced Ireland's brewery count dramatically, until the craft revival beginning in the 1990s reversed the decline. Today, over 100 breweries operate across the island.
Signature Beer Styles
Irish brewing styles, while often overshadowed by the dry stout's fame, display considerable variety. Irish Dry Stout, exemplified by Guinness but produced by numerous Irish breweries, offers roasted barley character with a creamy texture from nitrogen dispense. Irish Red Ale provides accessible malt-forward drinking with subtle toasted notes. Strong ales and barleywine-style beers emerged from Irish brewing traditions. The modern Irish craft movement has enthusiastically adopted international styles—from IPAs to sours—while often incorporating local ingredients like Irish malt and foraged botanicals.
Brewing Traditions
Irish brewing traditions emphasize quality ingredients and deliberate processes. The use of roasted unmalted barley, rather than roasted malt, distinguishes Irish stout from other dark beers and contributes its dry, coffee-like character. Murphy's and Beamish, both from Cork, offer alternatives to Dublin's Guinness, demonstrating regional brewing pride. The use of nitrogen rather than carbon dioxide for serving certain stouts—pioneered by Guinness—created the creamy cascading pour that became globally iconic. Irish craft brewers have revived traditional ale styles while embracing modern brewing techniques.
Beer Culture
The Irish pub stands as one of the world's most recognized cultural institutions, exported globally while remaining most authentic at home. These establishments serve as living rooms for their communities, hosting conversation, music, and celebration. The ritual of pouring and settling a proper pint of Guinness—which takes approximately 119.5 seconds according to the company—exemplifies the patient appreciation Irish drinkers bring to their beer. Traditional music sessions, where musicians gather informally in pubs, pair naturally with pints. St. Patrick's Day celebrations have spread Irish beer culture worldwide, though the Irish themselves celebrate with more restraint than their global reputation suggests.