Smithwick's

Smithwick's is an Irish red ale from Kilkenny and one of the most popular beers in Ireland. The brand traces its origins to 1710, when John Smithwick began brewing in the town.

History

The brewery stood on a site with a monastic past: Franciscan monks had brewed ale there since the 14th century, and ruins of the abbey remain on the grounds. After John Smithwick's death the property briefly left the family's hands, until a descendant bought it back and focused on export markets, especially England, Scotland and Wales.

The firm weathered wars and difficult weather in the twentieth century, and in 1965 Guinness acquired it, so it is now part of Diageo. Smithwick's Draught Ale appeared in 1966, and the beer spread to Canada, France and the United States. The Kilkenny plant closed in 2013 and production moved to Dublin.

Culture

Smithwick's is woven into the identity of Kilkenny, where the family and the brewery long played a prominent social role. The old plant was converted into a visitor centre that recalls this heritage. Its reddish colour and roasted malt character sit alongside variants such as Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale and Smithwick's Pale Ale, launched in 2011.