"The basic Smithwick's Draught has a creamy head, a palate that is very soft at first but develops in sweetness, and a hint of treacle toffee dryness in the finish. It seems bigger than might be expected from a gravity of 1036.
It is brewed from Pale Ale malt, roasted barley and 20 per cent corn syrup, with English bittering hops, plus Fuggles and Goldings for aroma.
Smithwick's had used the same yeast for many years, and the beer has a week's cold maturation. Draught Smithwick's is also made by the Cherry's brewery, in Waterford.
The bottled version of Smithwick's, known as Number 1, is a point higher in gravity, and has 10 per cent corn syrup.
A version called Smithwick's Export in the Canadian market and Kilkenny Irish Beer in some European countries has a gravity of 1048 and is all malt, with fuller colour and higher bitterness. Italy has a 1052 version and one at 1059 called Kilkenny Strong."
- Jackson, Michael, "Brewery with its own abbey - it must be Ireland", What's Brewing, (1993)
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by Martin Sanders from Toronto, Canada who has tried this beer once. (5/16/2012 1:26:25 PM)
"Canned Irish Ale. Colour - clear, red, tan coloured cap. Aroma - grains, caramel, some hops. Mouthfeel - medium bodied. Flavour - malt, caramel, burnt sugar. Overall - easily forgettable"
Aroma:
5/10
Appearance:
5/10
Mouthfeel:
5/10
Flavor:
5/10
Overall:
5/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(2.5)
Sampled: Can
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[2] Review by trapezemonk from all sorts of places, Confusion, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (12/11/2010 1:14:01 PM)
"Poured red, not much of a head, looked like Killians red when poured, smelled like a Killians but seemed to have more of a punch. This was an expensive beer for what it was. Overall good beer. "
Aroma:
6/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Sampled: Can Sample Size: 12oz @ $3.54 Unit Cost: $4.72 per Pint
[3] Review by shrews824 from Leitchfield, KY, USA who has tried this beer many times. (12/7/2010 4:20:42 PM)
"Very nice clear amber/reddish color. Attractive white to off white fluffy head. Favorable retention and lacing. Looks pleasurable. Head settled to a film and stuck with the beer until it was gone. Sweet caramel malt and hints of a toffee butter in the aroma. Clean smelling. Grain comes to the forefront as the brew warms. Caramel malt with a splurge of graininess in the taste. A touch of hops come out in the flavor also, but not distracting or obstructing. Sweet toffee makes an appearance also. Medium mouthfeel. A little bit watery I thought. It is smooth and decently crisp. Some flavor blankets the palate, but not an over abundance. This is a pretty good beer. I could have a few of these. Nothing truly outstanding, but nowhere near horrible. Probably wouldn't want ot make this my dominant beer, but if this was all that was available, I could make do. "
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
6/10
Overall:
6/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.3)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[4] Review by dogfoodman from Redwood Valley, CA, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (3/30/2010 7:49:50 PM)
"A burnt copper color pours with a slight head. Flavor is lightly hoppy with a lot more character than your typical American Lager. In general an Ok brew, just not anything to get excited about. l "
Aroma:
5/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
5/10
Flavor:
5/10
Overall:
5/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(2.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.29 Unit Cost: $1.72 per Pint
[5] Review by treborius from Uniondale, NY, USA who has tried this beer once. (3/29/2010 9:27:11 AM)
"I was not a fan of this beer. It has the reddish color of a typical Irish ale with a generous cap. The odor of sweet malt hits you with very little hoppish tones. Very drinkable as it goes down fast, but moreso because it is 'feels' watered down and has no redeeming taste characteristics."
Aroma:
5/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
4/10
Flavor:
4/10
Overall:
4/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(2.3)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
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(2.5)
