Smithwick's - Guinness Ltd.

ferrari29

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Beer poured from tap in to 10 oz. nonic shaped Pint glass.

A - Beer was served with a creamy, white colored head; nice and full, one finger in size; body has a dark tan leather color, and semi-opaque clarity; plenty of lacing formed nice rings around the top of the glass

S - Herbal notes of tea, followed up with a nice roasted malt scent; dry grape; fruit and touch of berry scents, like raspberry; smoke scents at the tail end of the beer whiff

T - Roasted malt flavor, coupled with a touch of spice note; yeasty fruit flavor was light, could be a bit more flavorful; airy ester taste

M - Crisp; effervescent; smoke finish; slightly flat at the end; light bitter mouth-feel

D - Could use more flavor; not bad for a traditional style red ale from the UK; it was enjoyable and I could have definitely had a few more

Serving type: on-tap

08-16-2011 00:55:51 | More by ferrari29

Eramen

Ireland

3.35/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - An attractive red, hazel-brown ale, not much of a head to speak of but it laces the glass well enough.

S - There is an indistinct fruity pleasantness along with caramel. A bit disappointing actually.

T - Buttery caramel, red fruit mixing well with a nice maltiness.

MF - Too watery for a fuller appreciation, carbonation is mild and just about right.

O - A decent enough Irish red ale and the most popular one here in Ireland. I often find myself drinking this in most pubs in Dublin due to the fact that American adjunct beers are all the rage here and no other ales are stocked! :(

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2011 16:26:37 | More by Eramen

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer is really nice to have from time to time. The beer poured out as a really nice red color, the beer is clean and clear looking. The smell of the beer had a good malt quality to it with a bit of earthiness as well. The taste of this brew is good in my opinion, it's got plenty of malt and just a touch of hops to bitter the finish of it. The mouthfeel is very smooth and easy to drink. Overall I like the beer quite a bit. Worth trying for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2011 01:21:59 | More by Knapp85

MONKandTUCK

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

OK, so it's been a while since I've had this one, which isn't something I directly regret. Actually, I regret not having a reason to seek it out, and make it a fridge staple.

A - Twany, kind of Red, but really passing into Brown. I'd be disappointed if I had a Brown Ale pour this hue, but it's barely still Red. Translucent, not transparent. Thinner than a Brown Ale or Porter, but clearly has body.

A- Not impressive, roasted character very muted. Smells like a neutral ale.

T- pleasantly surprised. Very refreshing, stable and full enough of a body to satisfy non BMC drinkers, though remains suitable for warm weather.

This tastes a lot like a generic English Bitter, with the taste of slightly burnt toast and a little char chasing in the end. The roasted malt is faint, but undeniable. There's a balance of sweetness, I suspect from the base malt and crystal malt both. Nothing cloying, it's very faint. But it's perfect for a maltier beer, with some hop and roasted notes.

The use of adjuncts begins to show through.

The finish distinguishes this from both Macro Lagers and Bitters, though it kinda tries to play in both fields.

M- as expected, a medium-bodied smooth mouthfeel that does nothing to offend.

O- Better than expected, but as I drink this one, the uniformity becomes boring. And that roasted malt begins to peek through in an unpleasant way. Not a great beer, but far exceeding its ilk. I wish there were a bit more complexity here.

The tough thing w/ Irish Red Ales is that they're very much a nuanced English Bitter. And for the few breweries that brew them, an after thought. I suspect that judicious use of Roasted Barley, and then the hops and crystal malt which help to hold balance, really prove a brewer's worth. However, what that translates into a beer style seems very limiting. I dunno, maybe the parameters are too constricting or it's too small of a beer to inspire re-energized interpretations.

Whatever the case, this adjunct (syrup) ridden example can out-compete the fellows it keeps company with (macro lagers), but pales in comparison to the finer ales of the world.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2011 03:44:23 | More by MONKandTUCK

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Ri Ra Irish Pub, Burlington, VT

Pours a dark reddish-brown, with a nice finger of foamy off-white head. Grains and sweet malts in the aroma, with hints of herbs. More of the same in the taste, thick, sweet caramel malts, toasted bread, a bit leafy, with slight notes of dark fruits. Very little to speak of in the way of hops. Smooth, medium bodied, and very drinkable for a mainstream beer, and a preferred choice of mine for casual drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 17:46:49 | More by Rifugium

lespaulrocker

Tennessee

2.78/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Dark copper, small tan head. Moderate lacing.

S: Malty, a little metallic, maybe some hints of citrus.

T: Caramel maltyness shows through first, maybe some toast/bread coming through, a little watery. Not too impressed.

M: Watery, light bodied, light carbonation.

Definitely wouldn't seek it out again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 16:59:31 | More by lespaulrocker

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had a pint of this on-tap to make a change from the usual pale lagers that were on offer in the pub. A pretty standard offering from an ale & nothing that really had me wanting more. Drinkable & kind of enjoyable although probably not one that I'd look out for again.

1001 Beers to try:
http://abarwithnoname.wordpress.com/1001beers

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2011 00:47:41 | More by flyingpig

BrianBoruma

California

3.7/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had on tap at the Harvestor in Danesfort Ireland.

A: Copper colored liquid with a think head of white foamy bubbles that dissipates over time.

S: Sweet and malty

T: Same as above with some hop bitterness on the back end that is quite pleasant.

M: Medium. Lightly carbonated but the bubbles are present.

O: Very pleasant and refreshing. Enjoyed it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 08:10:35 | More by BrianBoruma

kjc51478

Germany

3.18/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Appearance is dark amber color with light, beige head.

S: Aroma is weak with some sweetness, caramel, and bread hints.

T: Taste is also subdued but some nice flavors of caramel, toast, and basic sweet malts are present. Hop character is very weak with no discernible characteristics or bitterness.

M: Palate is medium-bodied, slightly thin, average carbonation.

O: Overall this is a decent pub beer that’s not necessary very complex or mind-blowing but very drinkable nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2011 00:39:42 | More by kjc51478

Ralphs66

New York

3.15/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Everything about this is average. I liked the coloration and the head was decent, but is faded quickly. Smell is muted, taste even more so. Went down really easy; watery. You could drink this all day (and night) long.. Not impressed, but it was the best offering they had....

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2011 22:20:39 | More by Ralphs66

chriskq

Oklahoma

3.55/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- A deep, dark amber. This beer almost appeared somewhat cloudy.
S- Sweet, with a rough toasty smell.
T- A big punch of sweetness and grains. This beer was fairly bitter on the back end.
M- Decent heaviness. Smooth going down.
O- I was slightly disappointed; The bitterness really took away the sweet flavor it gives at first. Definatley an above average beer- and I was suprised in how many different flavors I went through. Easy to drink, thats about it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2011 20:59:40 | More by chriskq

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A dark malty brew, deep chestnut brown in color with just a hint of transparence. A average tawny head that just coats the surface.
Aroma is of malts and grains just like the taste.
Tasting is rich and full with grains and malts being the flavor. No hops are present.
A satisfying brew.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2011 15:13:52 | More by micromaniac129

jbphoto88

Texas

3.53/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had at an Irish pub here in the states. On tap it pours deep amber brown and clear. The head is a tan white and bubbly. It looks like a fine sponge and doesn't really last to long.

The nose is mild and malty with much more of a grain presence then any hop. It doesn't really have much character but it is pleasant and somewhat refreshing.

Taste is a lot like the nose with very mild flavors leaning more towards grain then hops. Sweet a little caramel and lightly toasted cereal tasting grains. The hops are there slightly but they taste a little like an earthy tea and don't give off any bitterness.

Mouthfeel is mild and smooth with fine carbonation and a little coating sweetness. The finish is all grain tasting with a slight drying. A solid brew that is easy to drink and satisfying. Other then that there isn't much personality to it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2011 22:02:24 | More by jbphoto88

ReelBigwigFish

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had a few on tap at Finnegan's Wake in Philly last night and thought I'd give it a review since 5 on tap is the most Smithwick's I've drank in one day.

a: came in guinness pint glasses, reddish-brown in color, rather nice looking foamy head.

s: the aroma is more subdued than other reds, smells to me almost more of a brown ale with a slight nutty burnt scent with lost of sweet malt.

t: about as much going on as with the smell, nothing spectacular but the taste is definitely enjoyable. I'll take it over most offerings at a popular bar.

m/o: again, nothing spectacular happening. a little on the creamier side, doesn't really bite at all, making it really drinkable. Obviously I enjoyed this enough to keep drinking it, even though a Sam Seasonal was looking at me all night, I stuck to the Smithwick's.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2011 20:59:23 | More by ReelBigwigFish

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

An "old stand-by" long overdue for a formal rating... Travelled to Kilkenny many moons ago to make a pilgrimage to the home of the eponymous Guinness cream ale, and was pleasantly delighted by the historical old town and even more so after my first introduction to Smithwick's. It travels well and tastes the same (to my nonprofessional taste buds) in North America - in both bottle, can and draught glass. A delightful surprise, wherever it's found.

Beautiful amber colour, clear but dark enough to be almost opaque. Subtle aroma of malt and caramel, followed by a complex and well balanced taste, and a clean but satisfying finish. Overall a delightful "session ale"!

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2011 02:05:41 | More by hopsolutely

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

on tap, into shaker glass.

appears a reddish-brown mahogany color, with thin white head, that fades. aroma is sweet malt, bready.

taste is similar. mellow slightly sweet, buttery. no hops detected. medium body and carbonation, about on par for the style. pretty easy to drink.

not a bad option for a mass produced beer, and a good option at bars without better craft options.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2011 03:12:01 | More by jmdrpi

jsprain1

Minnesota

2.95/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Clear reddish-brown, one finger eggshell head holds on, some lacing.
S- Really had to dig deep to get much of anything. Caramel, a touch of sweetness is about all I could get.
T- Caramel and grain, not too sweet. I also pick up just the slightest milk chocolate flavor.
M- Thinnish body, ample carbonation.
O- It must be my tastes changing but this was nowhere as good as I remember it being. Easy to drink, but there's nothing that exciting about it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2011 16:30:35 | More by jsprain1

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

on tap at the dublin house in red bank

Pours a dark auburn color with some mahogany and red hues. A thicker beige head retains well, leaving thick rings of lacing on the glass while drinking.

Scents of breaded, doughy malt with slightly sweet caramel. A faint hop profile with that atypical macro tinge.

Doughy malt and caramel sweetness. Soft hoppiness balances out the malts. Perhaps a light note of dark fruit?

Decent medium body and carbonation, a bit creamy and smooth on the tongue. You know, this really isn't THAT bad, especially compared to other macro offerings at bars like this. I wouldn't go out and buy it, but I'd drink one if there wasn't many craft options.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2011 21:08:51 | More by xnicknj

MaltsOfGlory

Oregon

3.4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Doesn't poor much of a head. It is dark brown in color. Somewhat see through, but not much. It looks very interesting. I smell some malty sweetness on the nose. Maybe some apple cents as well. Other fruits are possibly here also. Other than that there isn't much to speak of on the nose, pretty weak. Oh man, kinda disappointing on the taste. It tastes like an irish beer for sure, but not nearly as full as say a Guinness. It has a very nice crispness to it, but it just doesn't have that umph that some other irish beers have. Not much hops in the flavor, it's really all just malts, like I expected. Mouthfeel is ok, but like I said, not much umph. Drinkability is very high, but that's to be expected with an irish beer. Overall it's a decent and somewhat unique irish beer, but not as good as some other irish beers.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2011 11:19:12 | More by MaltsOfGlory

bubseymour

Maryland

3.15/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

I had a Smithwick's on tap last night. Not quite as good on tap (in a plastic cup mind you) as the bottle I remembered from a year or 2 ago (or maybe my palet changed).

The taste seemed somewhat lacking in flavor and it left a very dry aftertaste.

It is somewhat watery as well.

Its an easy beer to drink but I don't like the way it makes me thirsty afer drinking it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 01:36:18 | More by bubseymour

JohnnyS17

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer was served to me in a cheap plastic cup, but I stole a pint glass off the bar and poured it into that.

A - Very dark brown with about an inch of head that held pretty well for a few sips. Clear.

S - Roasty grains and barley. Maybe a faint nutty smell.

T - Very similar to the smell, maybe a bit more burnt than roasty tasting. Definitely some bready and nutty tastes.

M - Medium body, smooth but slightly carbonated.

D - I have this beer quite often, and I go up and down on it. It is much better out of the bottle than off tap IMO. A well crafted beer for the most part.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2011 21:51:48 | More by JohnnyS17

zrab11

Indiana

3.53/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a dark reddish brow..with off white head and some lacing

S-Smells of malty grain with some roasted notes

T-Toasted malts come through with a brownsugar finish

M-light boddied with average carbonation

D-Pretty decent..alittle watered down but the roasted malts that come through make this a decent beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2011 04:07:44 | More by zrab11

Frothboss

Kentucky

2.65/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Brown bronze color with bone white froth on top. Smells like light malts, tastes light with lots o bubbles. Slightly bitter but doesnt taste like its from hops. Not to impressed with this one but better than killians irish red. Tastes kind of flat but theres plenty of carbonation... Puzzling?

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2011 23:23:19 | More by Frothboss

ehammond1

California

3.23/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

On Tap

Patrick's Irish Pub
Poway, CA

A good enough looking beer. A deep rich mahogany color with a thin white head that doesn't stick around for long at all. This beer leaves nice and regular lacing down the glass.

I struggle to find much in the nose except simple bready malts and a slight hint of fruity sweetness.

A mild fruity taste with dominant bready, toasty and caramel malts. Pleasant enough but unexciting.

Thin and watery mouthfeel. Not much heft to this beer.

A sessionable and serviceable red ale, appropriate for an Irish pub setting if Guinness isn't what you want.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2011 08:35:17 | More by ehammond1

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.03/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Usually on tap poured into pint glass. Pours a clear dark amber-red with a dense white head that leaves plenty of lacing. Great lacing a matter of fact. Toasty, nutty, light earth, and light coffee aroma. Decent malty flavor with lightly toasted grain, light roast, and a lightly earthy bitter finish. starts with just a very light sweetness and ends dry with he roast and hops cleaning up. Medium bodied and creamy textured. Very sessionable if a bit industrial and processed.

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2011 22:23:33 | More by CuriousMonk