Irish Red Ale (IRA) is a traditional top-fermented beer style that originated in Ireland. Alongside Irish Stout, it is one of the country’s most iconic brewing specialities. It is instantly recognisable by its deep reddish-brown colour, achieved through the use of roasted barley and amber malts. Inspired by English Ales and Bitters, Irish Red Ale is smoother, maltier, and less hoppy, with just a subtle touch of bitterness. Typically low in alcohol (around 4% ABV), it is known for being an easy-drinking beer commonly enjoyed in Irish pubs.
What does an Irish Red Ale taste like?
This beer style offers a lightly sweet and malty flavour profile. Expect notes of caramel, toffee, butterscotch and biscuit, balanced with very low hop bitterness. Despite the use of roasted grains, which can often add bitterness, Irish Red Ale retains a smooth, velvety mouthfeel and a crisp, dry finish. Its accessible flavour makes it a favourite among casual beer drinkers and craft beer enthusiasts alike.
How should Irish Red Ale be enjoyed?
For the best tasting experience, serve Irish Red Ale at a temperature between 10°C and 12°C in an English pint glass. This shape helps maintain carbonation and concentrates the malty aromas at the top of the glass. Its mild, malty character makes it a perfect match for comfort foods like pizza, roasted meats, or pub-style burgers.
Which beers are Irish Red Ale style?
While this beer style is brewed worldwide, the most iconic example remains Smithwick's Red Ale, originally crafted in 1710 by the St. Francis Abbey Brewery in Kilkenny, Ireland. Outside of Ireland, this beer is better known as Kilkenny, a name change introduced by Diageo to simplify pronunciation for international markets.
Although Smithwick's and Kilkenny share the same heritage, the export version (Kilkenny) is brewed to be slightly stronger and more bitter to better withstand long-distance transport. This tweak was so successful that Kilkenny eventually became a distinct beer in its own right.
Other popular Irish Red Ales include Murphy’s Irish Red, Beamish Red, O’Hara’s Irish Red, Killian’s Irish Red, Macardle’s Ale and Picaroon’s Irish Ale. While Murphy's and Killian’s are now often brewed outside Ireland and using bottom fermentation, they still pay homage to the classic red ale style.
Variants and modern interpretations
Some modern versions of Irish Red Ale use bottom fermentation (lager yeast), which technically makes them Irish Red Lagers. While these versions, such as Murphy's Irish Red or Killian’s Irish Red, may be labelled as ales, they tend to be less caramelised and more crisp, appealing to lager drinkers seeking something maltier.
Whether you're celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or simply curious to try something new, Irish Red Ale is a versatile and approachable beer that offers malty richness with remarkable drinkability.
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Read other articles about beers : What to do with leftover beer ? What is an abbey beer ? What is a lager ?
