Smithwick's Ale - Smithwick's Brewery / Irish Ale Breweries Ltd

Davidvols

Mississippi

5/5  rDev +45.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

One of my favorite beers. Looks and tastes like a excellent craft beer should - not too hoppy. No strong odor or bitter aftertaste. Drinkable and smooth. No comparison to Guiness, as this one is very drinkable and not "heavy" like Guiness Extra Stout. Great history of brewery as well.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 18:04:20 | More by Davidvols

beer272

New Jersey

2.63/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A - looked like an ale that had black patent added to give a dark appearance. Looked very dark in the glass with ruby color on the edge. Head looked OK and with a white appearance.

S - poured out very cold. Negligible smell either malt or hops.

T - ok, body ok. As the temperature rose on the last part of the beer got a taste of butter...

M - Pass, ok

O - This was a light beer, nuetral, ~no hops or malt. Then with black patent added. I would not buy again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2012 18:40:50 | More by beer272

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

2.7/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I received this as an extra in a recent trade with KevSal and I was rather surprised to realize that I have never reviewed it in any of its forms. No time like the present, I suppose.

From the bottle: "The brewery at St. Francis Abbey in Kilkenny, Ireland has been in operation since 1710. Smithwick's is Ireland's oldest ale, inspired by John Smithwick's original recipe. This ale delivers a distinctive amber color, full bodied tatse and ultra-smooth finish."

My pour produced better than two fingers' worth of dense, light-tan head with great retention in today's heat and humidity. It looked like the top of a coffee ice cream cone. Color was a deep coppery-red with NE-quality clarity, the shade that makes me swoon when it is on a woman. Nose was malty, fairly sweet, nothing terribly remarkable. Mouthfeel was on the thin side and other than a mild sweetness, it really lacked Ooomph of any sort. It was not bad, just lacking. Finish was equally ho-hum. I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth, but this was not doing anything for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 02:17:40 | More by woodychandler

Mellonius

Brazil

3.35/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at The Royal Oak, Ottawa.

Smithwick's pint glass. Pours a beautiful reddish/grenade color with very little head formation.

Aroma of malts, caramel, and some "fishyness".

Mouthfeel is light, almost watery, with little carbonation. Tastes like it smells. I could not identify some of the annoying, acidic notes in the finish, just before the hops come in.

Overall, an average red ale. I would have no problem drinking it again, especially in hotter days. But it is not unforgettable.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2012 00:22:11 | More by Mellonius

secondtooth

Indiana

3.28/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Nice red-amber. with substantial head. Impressive and detailed lace.

Smell is caramel malty, with a slight hint of hops. Not much here.

Taste is mild and malty, again, with the hops coming in near the finish. Overall, a very plain and unremarkable (even forgettable) ale. Won't pursue this one again anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 00:38:11 | More by secondtooth

Ragingbull

California

3.45/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer was being hailed by all of my the husbands of my wife's high school friends. I stepped out of my own "beer box" and gave it a try.

It pours a reddish brown in color with a light foam head. The nose is mostly malty with some hints of earth and nut. The beer flavor is pretty simple and clean. There is a slight hoppiness to the finish which is really the most distinguishing characteristic aside from the nose. Its okay but with a whole world of beer out there to try I am not sure when or if I will drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2009 13:05:40 | More by Ragingbull

Oxymoron

Colorado

2.93/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Smithwick's seemed to be the other alternative (to Guinness) in Ireland. Or at least it was the "other" option where ever we went (pubs etc). Sampled a crystal clear, light amber color with a bronze hue. A soft white head with ok retention and lacing through out the tasting.

The nose is soft with a light malty aroma. Some minor sweet caramel and husky notes. Very light overall. Some minor earthy hop aroma but very light. The yeast is very clean, almost like a lager.

The taste is similar in that it has a lager-esk feel. The malt comes out lightly with a more grainy and husky note. But there is a sweet caramel note. There is a bit of butter that comes out but is light. The yeast is very clean with a light phenol but very crisp and clean. Some minor hop notes but limited.

The body is light with a slight dry finish. As mentioned, clean and crisp. Overall this is kind of like a hybrid amber/lager with limited taste overall. Very easy to drink and easily attainable in Ireland.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2009 21:57:09 | More by Oxymoron

vtisme

Oklahoma

4.63/5  rDev +35%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is one delicious Ale. Arrives a deep ruby color with a finger head that doesnt go away for a while and leaves minimal lacing on the glass. Smells pretty bitter up front and so does it taste, but it goes down smooth and the faint taste of bread is what is left on your tongue on the end.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2009 06:42:49 | More by vtisme

IrishRacer

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I love the Irish Reds, and one brewed in the Emerald Isle will always get my taste buds' attention. This is my favorite of all the bottled redheads I've had through the years. I enjoy just about everything this beer has to offer. The color, aroma, and taste are all outstanding. Only the aftertaste, maybe something to do with the bottling process, could be a little better in my book.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2009 22:27:19 | More by IrishRacer

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.65/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured on tap at Patrick's Irish Pub and Eatery in Gilford, New Hampshire (USA). This tastes a whole lot better on tap than when I buy it in a bottle. At least it did when I sampled it on Jan. 19, 2009.

Appearance - Handsome ruby-brown pour with about a half-inch of frothy off-white head and decent lacing.
Smell - An aroma of sweet malts and almost caramel-like
Mouthfeel - Average to above average body. Holds its body well while thrashing it around on my tongue
Taste - Malted and mild. Not bitter at all. A distant hint of hops.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2009 21:15:26 | More by puboflyons

dpsychoholic69

Mississippi

3.23/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Dark red clear color, nice thick off white head that stayed around awhile, good lacing

S - lots of malts some caramel aroma

T - Malts, some hops, a little thin, sweet bitter finish

M - Kinda chewy, goes down pretty smooth. not much carbonation

D - Drinks OK nothing special, I've had better reds

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2008 03:01:23 | More by dpsychoholic69

Vendetta

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Original Rating Date:
June 26, 2008

On tap at the Irish bar and restaurant Grasshopper Too in Wayne, NJ. Pours very dark black with a good amount of head. Smells sweet, a bit of clove, very roasty. Very easy to drink. Dark, sweet caramel taste. Very malty, a little bit of hoppiness but not very noticeable. A little watery, but the Irish should be proud, this is a fantastic effort.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2008 01:21:17 | More by Vendetta

Haybeerman

Colorado

3.13/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Clear reddish/brown color. Poured a 2 finger off-white creamy head with decent retention. Heavy, coating lacing all the way to the bottom.

S: Malts and light hop bitterness.

T: Earthy malts and bitter hops. Finished clean with a light, but sdiscernable, hop bitter.

M: Medium body. Little carbonation. Smooth and creamy.

D: Malts and flattish feel could get tiresome, but certainly nothing offensive. Better than many of its style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2008 02:36:01 | More by Haybeerman

Kijimuna

Japan

3.7/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Pours nicely with a medium head with light lace neither of which lasted very long. Medium dark amber color. No real nose for me to appreciate. Taste slightly sweet, mellow hop, no overtly carbonated. Immediately gave a flat somewhat watery mouthfeel but still pleasant. I found this brew easy to drink and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2008 07:28:21 | More by Kijimuna

craytonic

District of Columbia

3.18/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I have had this on-tap at a couple of places.

Nice head, red velvet cake color.

Caramel taste, a little watery, a little flat. Could be much better; tastes like it came from a factory that also makes little toys and tourist gifts for export. I wish there was more earth and chocolate.

Not very heavy, drinkable if you actually like it. A little on the wrong side of average.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2008 17:17:22 | More by craytonic

glid02

Georgia

3.4/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this on tap at Limerick Junction in Atlanta.

Pours a good amber color that's lighter at the bottom and darker at the top of the pint glass. Head is a little less than one finger and dies down pretty quickly to a thin layer of bubbles on top. Not much lacing.

Smell is close to an Irish stout. A lot of malt aroma, with a little bitter scent.

Tastes the same as it smells. Biggest taste is the malt, and it ends with a slightly bitter taste and a dry finish.

Mouthfeel is alright. There's a little too much carbonation, could be a little smoother.

This is a pretty drinkable beer. The malt taste could be a little more integrated with the rest of the flavors.

Overall this is a decent beer. Better than a lot of other macros, but you can find better beers.

Serving type: on-tap

08-14-2008 03:49:54 | More by glid02

harpo111

Georgia

2.93/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Redish in hue...ok head...looks pretty good

S: Malty..not tooo hoppy..about average.

T: smooth, not too bitter. some hops..plenty of malt. Not too over carbonated.

M: not overly heavy...but nice.

D: Beats most domestics hands down..but I like it less than a lot of other imports.

Overall...not bad...beats up on domestics. very drinkable...not too heavy.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2008 02:13:53 | More by harpo111

BryanCarey

Texas

2.93/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Smithwick's Ale pours to a reddish/copper color with a head of foam that is adequate, but with bubbles that are on the larger side. The aroma of Smithwick's is a little weak, with only a hint of sweet malt and flowery hops.

The taste of Smithwick's can be described as one of light caramel malt, light roasted malt, bread, and lightly spicy/earthy hops. There is a metallic element present in the taste, even though the beer I sampled was from a bottle, and there is also a dab of chocolate. The body of Smithwick's is light for this type of brew.

Smithwick's is an easy beer to find in the USA, and it is common to see it on the store shelves in many stores- even small carryouts. But Smithwick's, while certainly acceptable, is a little on the boring side, with a taste that attempts to be complex but that doesn't offer enough body or character to reach its full potential. It is also a tad overpriced, too, and I can think of many beers that taste better and cost less. Still, the taste is good enough to imbibe a few bottles when there is nothing better available.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2008 20:51:59 | More by BryanCarey

Baileyuk

Michigan

3.73/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Good clean appearance with a decent head. Malt smells with definate but modest hints of apples. Slightly bitter taste (was expecting a little more). Carbonation was light which was what I was expecting. Overall was a decent beer but one that was just average.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2008 21:37:17 | More by Baileyuk

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

3.43/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The pint came a dark caramel brown color with a wispy head. Aroma is light with a generic maltiness coming through. Fairly light caramel and toffee on the palate. No hop or bitterness to mention. A fairly light flavored beer, but refreshing nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

06-07-2008 22:40:41 | More by BeardedBoffin

PhillyStyle

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a pint glass.

A: The beer gave off a reddish brown hue with a white head that held on for an appropriate length of time. I don't recall the carbonation being that noticeable.

S: It gave off a malty and slightly hoppy aroma.

T: Tended to have a hoppy flavor to it with hints of malt and some other flavors that I could not discern at the time. It seemed earthy. It was smooth, creamy and finished clean and not to bitter.

Overall, I enjoyed this beer more than I thought that I would. I feel that I could have had a few more and will be buying/ordering this beer again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2008 16:16:29 | More by PhillyStyle

Offa

California

3.25/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This is pleasant and malty but light and rather lke a boring interpretation of Newcastle.

On tap, it's dark red-brown with a medium white head that steadily shrinks to a small, permanent top and leaves pretty good lacing. In the bottle, the head tends to be a little darker and less lace-iferous, as it were.

The aroma is caramelly-fruity sweet malt, with grain, yeast, and very faintly earthy.

The taste is similar, mostly lightly sweet, dark-bready with hints of burnt caramel and earth. It has only a faint hint of bitterness. It's somewhat bland and one-dimensional, thinning out at the end.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2008 22:00:03 | More by Offa

RBorsato

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +29.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Brownish-copper color with a low light tan head. Aromas of breadiness and caramel malts with some roastiness. Tastes much like it smells without being overly malty or sweet. Hops just for balance. Medium bodied with a light dry roasty finish.

Per Bottle: "Since 1710" & "4.5% ABV"

Tasted: 06/16/07

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2008 20:27:37 | More by RBorsato

chadlebald

California

3.2/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

not only in between color for their other brews--harp and Guinness--but also in overall quality. Ie, better than harp but not as good as Guinness.

Color is nice deep copper. Don't sense too much in aroma. White head that dissipates quickly but laces the pint glass well.

Taste is light toasted malt but too complex.

Drinks easy though and makes for a better session beer than many other mass brews.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2008 20:37:37 | More by chadlebald

jadpsu

Georgia

3.58/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured medium to dark brown with a great head that had even better lasting power. Also had some good solid lacing. Love dark brews with good lasting heads.
Smell is of some sweet malts with some caramel with hints of toffee. Light on the hops but they were there too.
Thiner mouthfeel than I expected but a good if not great beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2008 20:08:24 | More by jadpsu