Beer Review – Smithwick’s Irish Ale
March 16, 2009
I thought it would be appropriate to write a beer review for at least one Irish beer on the week of St. Patrick’s Day. I bet that many beer bloggers will be reviewing something special for the holiday, so I think it will be cool to see who reviews what.
For now, I’ll be writing about Smithwick’s Irish Ale! (Usually pronounced ‘Smitticks’ – silent W) Smithwicks is an Irish Red style Ale brewed in Ireland (obviously) in what is apparently the oldest brewery in the country dating back to 1710. Smithwick’s brewery was purchased by the Guiness people in the 1960′s, and it even says on the bottle ‘brewed by the makers of Guiness’. I guess that’s so people can associate the two beers mentally.
For me, the Smithwick’s Irish Ale created a very tall and foamy head in my glass as you can see in the picture. It took a bit of time to fizzle out, but when it did there was really thick lacing that did a nice job of clinging to the glass the whole way down!
In addition to the beautiful reddish-brown color of the beer, it was impeccably clear. No sediment, some little lazy bubbles, but not much else. Very, very clear red beer.
Smelling the beer, the Smithwick’s Ale smelled malty and a bit like caramel, not unpleasant at all, but nothing incredible either. Is “good ordinary smelling” an apt description – because that’s how it was.
Tasting the beer, I have to say that at first I was a little underwhelmed, and then I moved further to the bad side of the underwhelmed scale. Smithwick’s is a smooth beer, sure, and there’s a nice malt flavor with a touch of a hop bite which works, but to me it just wasn’t anything special. I think this beer is more on the thin and watery side as it felt watery in my mouth but otherwise went down rather smoothly like water does. This beer came across as flat, and uninspired. The aftertaste was odd to me as well, and I can best describe it as bitter and metallic.
So there you have it. Sorry Irish Red lovers, Smithwick’s Irish Ale to me is below average at best, and I don’t think I’ll be having another. Its better than your ‘typical’ American macro lager, but it doesn’t have much else going for it.
Rating: 
Have you tried Smithwick’s Irish Ale? What did you think? Let us know in the comments section!
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Posted in 2 Star Reviews, Ales, All Brews Reviewed, European Beers
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March 16th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Since it’s from the makers of Guinness — Diageo plc of Henrietta Place, London — it’s questionable just how Irish Smithwick’s actually is.
The beer in its current form was a deliberate attempt at making pale ale sweeter and cheaper — hence the lack of any discernible hopping. I understand that these days it’s even lagered a bit for extra blandness.
Strangely enough, even though Irish Red exists as a deliberate bastardisation of decent ale, some of the Ireland’s microbreweries — the actual Irish breweries — make it quite well. O’Hara’s Red, for instance, has much more body to it and a good biscuity crystal malt character.
Smithwick’s is industrially-produced rubbish and, like Newcastle Brown Ale and Guinness, shouldn’t really be taken seriously by people who care what their beer tastes like.
The Beer Nut’s last blog post..When they met, it was Moeder
March 17th, 2009 at 2:57 am
I remember not caring a great deal for Smithwick’s in the bottle but have enjoyed it on tap. I thought that it had some very nice qualities. Don’t mistake me for saying that is awesome but it is maybe a B grade beer on tap.
Michael Reinhardt’s last blog post..Sip With Us Saturday
July 26th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I suppose you all like Heineken…. or you like to drink beer from the cupboard. As someone who cut his teeth on cold Canadian beer and ale I say your spoiled little palettes don’t know what’s truly good anymore.
Guinness, Smithwick’s and Harp are ALL abundantly full of flavor. The only thing better is to always have them on tap and better yet the tap runs in Ireland.
This american KNOWS what a beer should taste like and these IRISH beers are fantastic. I don’t appreciate hardly an american beer but Sam Adams and Shiner Bock. All the silly flavors of Sam Adams are ridiculous, just like the claims of Smitts being underwhelming.
July 26th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Thom, thanks for stopping by and sharing. Seems you have written off all American beers save a few, and your cold Canadian beer pedigree has really placed you into an elite group of beer experts! I hope you’ll stop in again to continue enlightening us!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Kona Longboard Lager Beer Review =-.
September 4th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
I agree with TOM, I recently had my first Smithwicks, while in St. Louis. and it was by far one of the best amber beers on tap I have had in a long time. I have toured 8 countries and have drank a lot of beer in all of them, and this was a great beer. I do however think Sam Adams taste like piss
October 15th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Im not just writting this because of my Irish Ancestory, but Smithwick’s is a great beer! As far as red ales go this is the best by far in my opinion. If you like Amberbock and O’Hara’s Red you will love Smithwick’s. If you like the typical American Piss in a bottle taste, oh..i mean BUD and Sam Adams, then dont even waste your time trying to aquire the taste for a pefectly brewed red Irish Ale.
November 13th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Taste is personal. For my taste, this is a very good beer. I order it, because we can’t just pick it up where I live. Personally, I’m far from underwhelmed.
November 13th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Matthew, you’re absolutely correct. My mantra is ‘to each his own’ and if you like Smithwicks, that’s cool! These reviews are simply my opinions – take them for what they are worth! Thanks for stopping in though.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
I had it on tap for the first time on my last visit to Florida. Not to strong or too weak,…. just right. I’m not an expert, just a gal who knows what she likes.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I’ve never liked a beer enough to research one online, but had Smithwicks at a nice pub in Ft. Wayne, IN while travelling last month. I liked it enough to come back for lunch the next day and re-asses my original thoughts with a couple more pints before catching my return flight. My first impression remains….good stuff!!
December 26th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Sometimes I think that our expectations of European ales and lagers are unrealistically high. I’ve tried Smithwick’s, and found it average. But, most of the beers from overseas are just average, though still better than most American macro lagers. There’s nothing wrong with average. Above average, or outright excellent is better, but average is fine. I don’t believe that Smithwick’s, or any other Irish/English ales should be dissed because the expectations of those of us who are overwhelmingly addicted to small micro brewery beers.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Thanks Eric for sharing – but I have to disagree. If you spend some more time here, you’ll find there are plenty of English and Irish beers that we’ve reviewed that have gotten VERY high marks. Smithwick’s just wasn’t one of them!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Home Brew Kits – The Final Review =-.
February 4th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Last fall I was in a restaurant in Noblesville and noticed a large sign on the wall advertising Smithwick’s Beer. I ordred a bottle with my Lunch and thought it was good enough that I decided to purchase some to give to friends to see whether they liked it. I made the mistake of leaving the Restaurant, planning on purchasing some in a Liquor Store. I soon found out that no ones carries the Beer which came iin a clear bottle, just the Ale. If anyone can tell me where I can purchase the Beer, I would appreciate it.
March 18th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
I actually enjoy a Smithwick’s on St. Paddy’s Day, but tried a beer yesterday that I highly recommend. Southern Tier Big Red is a red ale on steroids, with a nice hoppy bite balanced by caramel and chocolate. At 9.5%, it’s not for the meek!
Cheers,
Bill Z.
March 18th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
@Bill Z – thanks for popping in! I’ve tried several of the Southern Tier beers – some I liked better than the others, but I’ve found that the alcohol flavor comes through a bit much in some of them. Big Red sounds interesting but I don’t think I’ve seen it around – I’d give it a try though.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Irish Beer – Past, Present and Future =-.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Smithwick’s is often referred to in Ireland as “The poor man’s stout.” It is a swilling beer, slightly sweet with a subdued roasted barley flavor, light to no hop character and light mouth feel. It’s not intended to appeal to the “Hop Heads” or “beer geeks.” It succeeds on many levels that aren’t listed in the beer style guide. To those with their nose so high in the air they can’t see what’s happening in the real world, just relax and take a breath. Variety is to be embraced not feared.
August 5th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Thanks Jim, and that is sage advice! Perhaps you’ve noticed nothing BUT variety here @ The Brew Club where we’ll give ANY beer a try – not just beers that appeal to ‘beer geeks’ whoever they may be. We love variety!
Just because its not a favorite of mine does not mean that other people should not try it, or that other people should not like it.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Brewdog-The End of History =-.
August 13th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
simply put, for my taste, an excellent beer.
October 23rd, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Last year I was on a trip to Ireland. We had been drinking a lot of Guinness and one night saw Smithwick’s on tap. Tried it and thought it was OK. Next night I asked a lady bartender in another pub if they sold a lot of Smithwick’s. She told me “Yes, most of the women drink it”.
October 23rd, 2010 at 9:27 pm
@Topper – Thanks for the story. I’m sort of surprised to hear that its apparently popular (with the ladies anyway
) in Ireland. For me, its not bad, but I wouldn’t seek it out. I’d stick with the Guinness!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..The Hairy Eyeball – Lagunitas Brewing Company =-.
February 16th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Smithwick’s, to me, is a wonderful Irish “anti-stout” which can be consumed and enjoyed throughout the evening without a bloated feeling. The flavour is very distinctive, anything but bland. I thoroughly enjoy it on tap here and in Ireland. Yes, Guinness is Guinness and there’s only one in the world but Smithwick’s is a grand diversion for the Irish pallet. I don’t pretend to understand various descriptions like “underwhelmed, metallic, uninspired, caramel-like, hoppy,” etc. The brew is what a beer should be!
February 16th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Thanks Michael for the comment. Nothing wrong with liking the beer, but there’s nothing wrong with not liking it either! I do see your point about it being an Irish anti-stout though.
March 2nd, 2011 at 2:05 am
“divine punishment”thats what alot of comercial made pints have become, and they are nothing like there storied past, there not even close to the pint’s our séanathair’s drank.And don”t get me started on the near frozen urine coloured beer found in our pubs the one amercians keep calling the king of beers or amercian branded beers that have a irish sounding name and they think by adding a wee bit of colouring to the near the frozen urine called the king and they have a good pint.well were not jus daft, who bleeding rates the lot!!!!! and you could swear it was brewed by the prince of darkness himself for no angel of the lord in heaven would put lips to that bleeding gyle!!!!!.Thats how i found home brewwing, every try it? Its the best, and no bleeding corprate to corupt your pint.Just a good glass. “quote”inspector morse “light beer the invention of the prince darkness”.Thank god for camra ireland and good home brew. Sláinte
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:10 am
@robert – I think you have just written the most colorful comment on this site since it began in 2008! Love it! No doubt, home brewing is the way to go if you are looking for the ultimate expression in beer. Its all you! Still, from the research I did last year, it seems that Ireland has a lot of hope in regard to good beer. They have quite the craft-beer scene too!
See? http://thebrewclub.com/2010/03/17/irish-beer-past-present-and-future/
September 1st, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Though 80 years of age, I am a beginner in ale consumption. My wife and I appreciate our evening cocktail hour and for years I drank nothing but Bombay Saphire Gin. With lemon. Too often I discovered, though tasty and satisfying, the drink did not agree with my stomach. Recently I decided to try an alternative. Being of Irish extraction I decided to give Irish Ale a try. I remembered having Smithwick Ale and Harp Beer in Tralee once when visiting. I was pleased to discover I could buy it here, in Michigan. I think it tastes great. And my stomach agrees. This ale adventure of mine is recent and has included a few other ales when I haven’t been able to find Smithwick’s. My wife has tasted it and (though except for very hot days she’ll never be a beer or ale drinker) tells me “it’s smooth, mellow and nice”.
September 1st, 2011 at 2:04 pm
@Ken – Thanks for sharing! Hopefully you’ll give a few other ales a try too after looking around here a bit!