Ireland's Oldest Ale, since 1710.
"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 slowrunner77 from Reno, NV, USA who has tried this beer once. (11/6/2009 6:58:17 PM)
"this would make a decent session ale, but nothing i'll go out of my way for again. pours a brickish red, with decent lacing. the toffee maltiness is nice but a little simplistic. not bad & not great."
Aroma:
6/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.5 Unit Cost: $2 per Pint
[2] Review by Mike T from Toronto, Canada who has tried this beer a couple times. (9/21/2009 6:13:10 PM)
"Pours a beautiful red/brown with a big creamy off white head. Good retention and lacing. Looks really good. Smells malty, sweet. Tastes good starting malty with a bitter finish. Thin mouthfeel with good carbonation. "
Aroma:
6/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
6/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.3)
Sampled: Can
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[3] Review by DarkBrew from La Vale, MD, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (7/11/2009 12:37:10 PM)
"This one is OK. Nice color and lacing...thin mouthfeel and not excited about the overall flavor. All in all this is still way better than all of the other watered down swill that is out there. I had it once on tap in Catonsville,MD...it was much better than the bottle."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
5/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.2)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 144oz @ $13 Unit Cost: $1.44 per Pint
[4] Review by AleFan from Honolulu, HI, USA who has tried this beer once. (7/6/2009 1:51:57 PM)
"I wasnt taht impressed by this Ale. Unlike traditional Irish Ales, this one wasnt that sweet on the tail end and it was a little like the Killians, of which I did not enjoy. The roasted flavor and nutty aroma invites you in and there is drinkability here but there are better that make this style a favorite. "
Aroma:
6/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12.5oz @ $2 Unit Cost: $2.56 per Pint
[5] Review by Cybercat from Atlanta, GA, USA who has tried this beer once. (6/6/2009 10:35:33 AM)
"Comes out of the tap a beautiful translucent reddish-brown, almost mahogany, with a decent pale beige head. Pleasant aroma is mostly malty but has some hoppy hints and just a touch of cloves. Flavor is more malty than hoppy, with a hint of caramel and just a teeny trace of bitterness. A smooth and very enjoyable ale."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
9/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.1)
Sampled: Forced Draught Sample Size: 16oz @ $5 Unit Cost: $5 per Pint
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(3.4)
