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Everyone knows about Guinness. The world’s most famous stout is actually an Irish dry stout that has been in production since 1759 and is available in 120 countries. But, do you know that there is no law that states that Guinness is the only beer you can drink on St. Patrick’s Day?
Also: What to Drink on St. Patrick’s Day: an Irish Whisky Primer
Since March 17th will quickly be upon us, the time is right to decide what Irish beers to imbibe this year. Obviously, I would never tell you not to grab your tried and true Guinness. Honestly, it really doesn’t feel like St. Patrick’s Day without the “black stuff”.
But, after you’ve had your fill of Guinness, Smithwick’s and Harp, there are many other delicious Irish beers that deserve your attention. One such brand is O’Hara’s.
In the early 19th century, there were more than 200 breweries in Ireland. In the mid-19th century, Ireland devolved into economic recession and the Great Famine, forcing many of the country’s 95 breweries, mostly small brewpubs, to close. By 1960, there were only 8 breweries, many of which were bought by conglomerates.
Founded in 1996 by Seamus O’Hara and his family, O’Hara’s is Ireland’s oldest and largest independent craft brewery. “Seamus had worked in biotech industry and had spent much of his time abroad in the US and the UK, tasting some amazing local beers full of flavor and diversity and was upset to find the same variety and quality wasn’t available in Ireland when he returned home,” says O’Hara’s Brand Manager Sean O’Grady.
Instead, what he found was tap towers filled with stouts his father drank made by international conglomerates and a bunch of fizzy yellow lagers that were imported from the US and eastern Europe. “He started the brewery with the goal of reinvigorating the lost culture of local Irish breweries and twenty years later, O’Hara’s is still on the forefront of Craft Beer Revolution.”
The brewery was founded in 1996 in County Carlow, Ireland home of the O’Hara family for generations. “At the time, there were only twelve breweries in Ireland,” says O’Grady. County Carlow is located in the Barrow Valley, a traditional hop and grain growing area that has deep ties to Ireland’s brewing history. “The location of their first brewery was in a 200-year old goods store that still stands today.” They have since expanded multiple times and have recently purchased a nearby building that housed a water-powered brewery in the 18th century that had been converted into a malting facility that continued to operate until the mid-1980’s.
Because of laws favoring large brewers in Ireland, the brewery struggled to grow in pubs and bars in Ireland, so they were able to stay afloat by brewing four core styles and focusing on export markets in the early 2000’s and today the brewery exports to more than twenty-five countries on four continents.
Over the last ten years in Ireland, the laws have changed and brewery has become a favorite amongst Irish drinkers. “They now offer a wide range of beer that includes traditional styles like the Irish Red and Stout but have embraced modern brewing trends like barrel-aging and sour beers,” says O’Grady. “Additionally, O’Hara’s sent brewers over to Starr Hill brewery in Virginia for a trans-Atlantic collaboration beer, called Blackthorn, inspired by the Irish Export Stout style that has been an Irish favorite for years.”
Although on a slightly smaller scale than America, the craft brewing scene in Ireland has been booming since 2000. “It has seen double-digit growth over the past five years and currently represents about 3% of the total beer market (€ 15 million in revenue) in Ireland, with new breweries popping up all over Ireland.” Currently, the number of breweries is about fifty, with a handful more to open this year.
Recently, Seamus was appointed the Chair of the Irish Brewers Association, an advocacy group for the brewers and distributors of beer in Ireland. “The group, founded in 1908, aims to promote Irish breweries amongst consumers while working with the Irish government to regulate the ever-changing landscape of brewing in Ireland.”
The brewery produces core styles, seasonal offerings, collaborations and one-off releases that are widely available in Ireland. However, there are only five styles currently imported in the US:
- Irish Stout
- Irish Red
- Irish Pale Ale
- Leann Folláin
- Barrel-Aged Leann Folláin
We realize craft beer is huge in the US right now, but who says craft beer can’t also be authentically Irish? “We have a savory, sessionable stout for the traditionalists, and a hearty, full-bodied stout in the Leann Folláin for those who prefer their beer to have a little more bite,” says O’Grady. “Our Irish Red is perfect for those who like a sweeter beer with a good malt body and then for the hop heads, our Irish Pale Ale which is dry-hopped for a refreshing twist on an American favorite.”
O’Hara’s was the first Irish Brewery to be powered 100% by renewable energy sources. Currently, it operates using energy from wind farms located not too far from the brewery.
They were the first Irish Craft Brewery to create a badge on the Untappd platform. Now, through March 25th if you check in with a stout, red, or IPA you’ll unlock the Irish Craft Beer Badge
Other Tasty Irish Brews Include:
Murphy’s Irish Stout – Brewed at Murphy’s Brewery in Cork, Murphy’s Irish Stout is known for its caramel and toffee flavor. Less bitter than Guinness, Murphy’s is more chocolate-flavored and, like Guinness lacks carbonation.
Beamish Irish Stout – Beamish was founded in 1792 by William Beamish and William Crawford. The stout is very similar to Guinness, it’s an Irish Dry Stout with roasted malted flavors with hints of caramel and coffee.
Kilkenny Irish Cream – This Irish Red Ale is hoppy with a caramel, malted flavor that is a good respite from the dry Irish stout.
Porterhouse Brewing Co. Oyster Stout – The Dublin-based Porterhouse Brewing Company makes this Irish dry stout that is rich with roasted malts as well as chocolate and coffee flavors.
