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!
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.
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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!
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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!
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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.