Smithwick's Imported Premium Irish Ale | Guinness Ltd.
Brewed by:
Guinness Ltd.
Ireland
guinness.com
Style: Irish Red Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.50%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by Mebuzzard on 04-01-2006
Reviews: 790 | Ratings: 2,684
3.72/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
My favorite beer in the mass market. Very drinkable, and I just find it goes easily with many different foods. What I like is that it's not Irish Budweiser. I don't care to pay much attention to color or feel - does it taste good? Smithwick's is a different brew than your average grocery store six pack.
★ 308 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
My favorite beer in the mass market. Very drinkable, and I just find it goes easily with many different foods. What I like is that it's not Irish Budweiser. I don't care to pay much attention to color or feel - does it taste good? Smithwick's is a different brew than your average grocery store six pack.
★ 308 characters
4/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I'm no specialist but I would say Very Good. I'm not a fan of Guinness, but this is a lovely, simple, mildly tasty almost red ale that is unoffensive to taste, feel or bitterness. A perfect beer with a meal in that it will not intrude on other tastes, yet is refreshing. The head is white, light and foamy, like sea foam. It does not taste as dark as it looks. Definitely will have another.
★ 395 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I'm no specialist but I would say Very Good. I'm not a fan of Guinness, but this is a lovely, simple, mildly tasty almost red ale that is unoffensive to taste, feel or bitterness. A perfect beer with a meal in that it will not intrude on other tastes, yet is refreshing. The head is white, light and foamy, like sea foam. It does not taste as dark as it looks. Definitely will have another.
★ 395 characters
2.85/5 rDev -18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Wow, this is singularly unremarkable and so disappointing (from Guinness). OK, so pours dark amber with some aroma of malt. Fluffy quickly vanishing head. Malt but thin with high carbonation and a watery finish. This is like an entirely forgettable Summer beverage, but that slot is already taken (PBR).
★ 306 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Wow, this is singularly unremarkable and so disappointing (from Guinness). OK, so pours dark amber with some aroma of malt. Fluffy quickly vanishing head. Malt but thin with high carbonation and a watery finish. This is like an entirely forgettable Summer beverage, but that slot is already taken (PBR).
★ 306 characters
3.34/5 rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours - Deep brown color not much head or lacing.
Smell - Roasted malts, pretty bready nose, sweet caramel.
Taste - Roasted malts and rye, caramel and grains.
Feel - Medium body well carbonated
Overall - Decent beer not a big fan little too sweet.
★ 251 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours - Deep brown color not much head or lacing.
Smell - Roasted malts, pretty bready nose, sweet caramel.
Taste - Roasted malts and rye, caramel and grains.
Feel - Medium body well carbonated
Overall - Decent beer not a big fan little too sweet.
★ 251 characters
3.97/5 rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
It pours dark cooper color (almost soda color) with a sweet malty smell. It has a sweet malty taste that stays all the way through. Overall a nice Irish ale that was easy to drink and pleasant.
★ 194 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
It pours dark cooper color (almost soda color) with a sweet malty smell. It has a sweet malty taste that stays all the way through. Overall a nice Irish ale that was easy to drink and pleasant.
★ 194 characters
3.89/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured a clear copper-brown with a thick rocky light tan head. Great retention and nice lacing. The nose was definitely sweet with some fruity notes - apple and cherry - and brown bread. My first taste was thinner than expected from the nose, but more consistent with the low ABV. Bready and spicy, with a hint of cinnamon. I did not get any diacetyl or DMS. Nice clean, dry finish.
★ 382 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured a clear copper-brown with a thick rocky light tan head. Great retention and nice lacing. The nose was definitely sweet with some fruity notes - apple and cherry - and brown bread. My first taste was thinner than expected from the nose, but more consistent with the low ABV. Bready and spicy, with a hint of cinnamon. I did not get any diacetyl or DMS. Nice clean, dry finish.
★ 382 characters
3.54/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Grabbed a bottle from my old man's fridge this afternoon. The packaging suggests this one is fresh for another two months. Poured right from the fridge into a nonic pint glass.
L: Pours a crystal-clear, deep-copper amber with about an inch of off-white head that has some pretty decent staying power and leaves profuse lacing on the glass. Lazy, infrequent visible carbonation present.
S: Sweet and bready malts are most prominent in the nose. Slight grassy and earthy quality, possibly from the hops. A fleeting sense of sweet stewed corn. A touch of buttery diacetyl in the mix, as well.
T: I was expecting some substantial malt flavors in the front, but there was hardly anything going on there. Some very muted bready and toasted malt notes, but most of what I got was the taste of water in the front end. The middle brings on more robust toasted and bready malt flavor--some of the malt bill must be quite similar to Guinness Draft, because I'm definitely getting some of that in the middle. More earthiness and grassy notes building in the center. A touch of apple or pear cider there, as well--plum is also in there. Just a bit of stewed corn and some very subtle diacetyl butterscotch notes. The back end continues those toasty and bready malt notes, with some grassy and earthy hop bitter to close things out.
F: On the lighter side of medium-bodied, this one drinks watery, silghtly creamy, astringent, and bitter in turns. There's a pretty good level of carbonation present. It begins watery and ends quite dry.
O: This is one of my dad's favorite beers, and I thought it was high-time I gave it a review. While it does suffer from some of the pitfalls of any mass-produced beer, this one keeps things simple in a surprisingly effective way. The malt bill is pleasant, if not world-changing. There is enough of a hop presence to keep everything clean and balanced. I could do without the hints of diacetyl and adjuncts, but this one is head-and-shoulders above your average mass-produced BMC product. And, I've found that Smithwick's is a lot like Coke, insofar as it pairs quite well with a lot of different food.
★ 2,131 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Grabbed a bottle from my old man's fridge this afternoon. The packaging suggests this one is fresh for another two months. Poured right from the fridge into a nonic pint glass.
L: Pours a crystal-clear, deep-copper amber with about an inch of off-white head that has some pretty decent staying power and leaves profuse lacing on the glass. Lazy, infrequent visible carbonation present.
S: Sweet and bready malts are most prominent in the nose. Slight grassy and earthy quality, possibly from the hops. A fleeting sense of sweet stewed corn. A touch of buttery diacetyl in the mix, as well.
T: I was expecting some substantial malt flavors in the front, but there was hardly anything going on there. Some very muted bready and toasted malt notes, but most of what I got was the taste of water in the front end. The middle brings on more robust toasted and bready malt flavor--some of the malt bill must be quite similar to Guinness Draft, because I'm definitely getting some of that in the middle. More earthiness and grassy notes building in the center. A touch of apple or pear cider there, as well--plum is also in there. Just a bit of stewed corn and some very subtle diacetyl butterscotch notes. The back end continues those toasty and bready malt notes, with some grassy and earthy hop bitter to close things out.
F: On the lighter side of medium-bodied, this one drinks watery, silghtly creamy, astringent, and bitter in turns. There's a pretty good level of carbonation present. It begins watery and ends quite dry.
O: This is one of my dad's favorite beers, and I thought it was high-time I gave it a review. While it does suffer from some of the pitfalls of any mass-produced beer, this one keeps things simple in a surprisingly effective way. The malt bill is pleasant, if not world-changing. There is enough of a hop presence to keep everything clean and balanced. I could do without the hints of diacetyl and adjuncts, but this one is head-and-shoulders above your average mass-produced BMC product. And, I've found that Smithwick's is a lot like Coke, insofar as it pairs quite well with a lot of different food.
★ 2,131 characters
2.99/5 rDev -14.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Comes in that mixture of brown and red. Head diminishes quickly. Aroma hits with earthen dirt, malt, peat type of red malt feels.
Taste was a pedestrian excursion, red malt, almost no hops, still thin. Is the standard reason red ales often have a bad name.
★ 263 characters
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Comes in that mixture of brown and red. Head diminishes quickly. Aroma hits with earthen dirt, malt, peat type of red malt feels.
Taste was a pedestrian excursion, red malt, almost no hops, still thin. Is the standard reason red ales often have a bad name.
★ 263 characters
4/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I pored this from a bottle into a clear teardrop class. It pours a clear red with a two finger head. It has a very pleasant sweet smell. The taste is nutty and medium bodied. I think it's a really fine beer. I'm a fan.
★ 221 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I pored this from a bottle into a clear teardrop class. It pours a clear red with a two finger head. It has a very pleasant sweet smell. The taste is nutty and medium bodied. I think it's a really fine beer. I'm a fan.
★ 221 characters
3.44/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Guinness. Broad distribution. But Smithwick's borders on bland beer.
What saves this beer from blandness is that it has a solid malty base, or backbone as others call it.
I like the buttery start and the dryness in the finish I suppose a Guinness characteristic. But, they could have done more with this beer.
★ 309 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Guinness. Broad distribution. But Smithwick's borders on bland beer.
What saves this beer from blandness is that it has a solid malty base, or backbone as others call it.
I like the buttery start and the dryness in the finish I suppose a Guinness characteristic. But, they could have done more with this beer.
★ 309 characters
3.44/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Traditional Irish red ale. This one screams St Patrick's day to me. Don't expect too much from this one but it's a solid beer if u can't find anything craft. I like it more than Guinness which is watery as hell.
★ 211 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Traditional Irish red ale. This one screams St Patrick's day to me. Don't expect too much from this one but it's a solid beer if u can't find anything craft. I like it more than Guinness which is watery as hell.
★ 211 characters
3.01/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Appearance - Pours a dark copper red with a finger of off white head.
Smell - sweet bready malts and hint of grains. Nothing else.
Taste - Sweet bready and buttery malts upfront. Hint of caramel. The grains come in afterwards to help finish the brew off.
Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Finishes smooth with the malts lingering.
Overall - An Irish red that won't blow you away. The malts are there but they are just a tad sweet for my liking considering the style.
★ 489 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Appearance - Pours a dark copper red with a finger of off white head.
Smell - sweet bready malts and hint of grains. Nothing else.
Taste - Sweet bready and buttery malts upfront. Hint of caramel. The grains come in afterwards to help finish the brew off.
Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Finishes smooth with the malts lingering.
Overall - An Irish red that won't blow you away. The malts are there but they are just a tad sweet for my liking considering the style.
★ 489 characters
3.75/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bought 6-pack Times Supermarket $5.99
Reddish amber color
Medium mouthfeel
Medium carbonation
Smooth malty, caramel taste
Overall an easy drinking beer at a great price. Would drink a lot more.
★ 194 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bought 6-pack Times Supermarket $5.99
Reddish amber color
Medium mouthfeel
Medium carbonation
Smooth malty, caramel taste
Overall an easy drinking beer at a great price. Would drink a lot more.
★ 194 characters
3.49/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
11.2 oz bottle into a Helles Lager glass
A - Moderate pour produces a 2 finger high head that is off white in color with just a bit of a reddish tint to it. Head is thick and foamy and dissipates very slowly. The beer itself is a deep garnet in color and clear. Moderate carbonation is visible with bubbles rising moderately quickly towards the surface. 3.75/5
S - Caramel and toffee come out in the aroma right away with a dark toasted bready malt backing. A very light hint of dark cherries and dates is present along with what seems to be noble hops. Sweet and fruity with a Grape Nut O's base overall for the aroma. 3.5/5
T - Caramel and dark stone fruit (dark cherries and dates) are the initial flavors to hit my tongue but these quickly go away and transition into a Grape Nut O's cereal malt flavor. A bit of dark toasted bread is present as well before transitioning into a bit of woodiness and a peppery spiciness and finally into a noble hop bitterness that lasts ever so shortly before disappearing entirely. 3.5/5
M - Light carbonation burn up front that is fairly brief. Light to medium bodied with moderate drying on the back end. Dryness lingers on the palate after swallowing. 3.25/5
O - Sweet and fruity but also earthy and slightly bitter makes for a well balanced experience. Not entirely flavor forward but this is a sessionable beer that is ideal for pairing with food. Not my favorite Irish Red but it does the job. 3.5/5
★ 1,464 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
11.2 oz bottle into a Helles Lager glass
A - Moderate pour produces a 2 finger high head that is off white in color with just a bit of a reddish tint to it. Head is thick and foamy and dissipates very slowly. The beer itself is a deep garnet in color and clear. Moderate carbonation is visible with bubbles rising moderately quickly towards the surface. 3.75/5
S - Caramel and toffee come out in the aroma right away with a dark toasted bready malt backing. A very light hint of dark cherries and dates is present along with what seems to be noble hops. Sweet and fruity with a Grape Nut O's base overall for the aroma. 3.5/5
T - Caramel and dark stone fruit (dark cherries and dates) are the initial flavors to hit my tongue but these quickly go away and transition into a Grape Nut O's cereal malt flavor. A bit of dark toasted bread is present as well before transitioning into a bit of woodiness and a peppery spiciness and finally into a noble hop bitterness that lasts ever so shortly before disappearing entirely. 3.5/5
M - Light carbonation burn up front that is fairly brief. Light to medium bodied with moderate drying on the back end. Dryness lingers on the palate after swallowing. 3.25/5
O - Sweet and fruity but also earthy and slightly bitter makes for a well balanced experience. Not entirely flavor forward but this is a sessionable beer that is ideal for pairing with food. Not my favorite Irish Red but it does the job. 3.5/5
★ 1,464 characters
3.35/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
Look (4): A beautiful red ruby amber hue. There's a big massive head that likes to sick to the glass.
Smell (3.25): Has a sweet bready malty aroma. Nice baked toasted sweet bread, but it also has an overripe apple smell, which isn't very good...
Taste (3.5): Toasty bready or sweet cracker taste. Sweet malty and syrupy taste as well. Again though, red apples and maybe a cinnamon spice esk ending.
Mouthfeel (2.75): Light, crisp and easy drinking. It's got a dryness to it.
Overall (3.25): I've never been super fond of red ales, especially ones that are on the sweeter end.
★ 579 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
Look (4): A beautiful red ruby amber hue. There's a big massive head that likes to sick to the glass.
Smell (3.25): Has a sweet bready malty aroma. Nice baked toasted sweet bread, but it also has an overripe apple smell, which isn't very good...
Taste (3.5): Toasty bready or sweet cracker taste. Sweet malty and syrupy taste as well. Again though, red apples and maybe a cinnamon spice esk ending.
Mouthfeel (2.75): Light, crisp and easy drinking. It's got a dryness to it.
Overall (3.25): I've never been super fond of red ales, especially ones that are on the sweeter end.
★ 579 characters
4.14/5 rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This premium Irish Red Ale is world-class I believe yet is underrated. It has, admittedly, a mere 4.5% ABV, but has a lot to offer other than a quick, cheap buzz.
Look-It shimmers with brilliant reds, copper, and mahogany in the light and has a bready, foamy, and smooth head of one finger that is a bit persistent. The lacing is thick and layered all the way down.
Smell-The aroma is complex. It has notes of nugget caramel cracker malts and suggestions of grassy noble hops.
Taste-It tastes like Cherrywood up front with a strong malt body and plenty of caramel, cracker, burnt toast, and noble hops. A fine astringency tampered with mild malt sweetness evens it out and makes for a robust and complex flavor. A tinge of oak-wood floats high over notes of grassy hops and buttered bread-based malts. Quite delicious! Definitely on the light side of medium-bodied and no less.
Overall-This is a very refreshing beer with a strong malt body, tampered attributes, rich flavor, and lots to offer. Pour finely chilled and into a worthy glass. Cheers!
★ 1,053 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This premium Irish Red Ale is world-class I believe yet is underrated. It has, admittedly, a mere 4.5% ABV, but has a lot to offer other than a quick, cheap buzz.
Look-It shimmers with brilliant reds, copper, and mahogany in the light and has a bready, foamy, and smooth head of one finger that is a bit persistent. The lacing is thick and layered all the way down.
Smell-The aroma is complex. It has notes of nugget caramel cracker malts and suggestions of grassy noble hops.
Taste-It tastes like Cherrywood up front with a strong malt body and plenty of caramel, cracker, burnt toast, and noble hops. A fine astringency tampered with mild malt sweetness evens it out and makes for a robust and complex flavor. A tinge of oak-wood floats high over notes of grassy hops and buttered bread-based malts. Quite delicious! Definitely on the light side of medium-bodied and no less.
Overall-This is a very refreshing beer with a strong malt body, tampered attributes, rich flavor, and lots to offer. Pour finely chilled and into a worthy glass. Cheers!
★ 1,053 characters
4.31/5 rDev +23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Best on tap instead of bottled. Full flavor Irish ale. Sharp without being bitter, the barley rounds out as an amazing stand alone drinker. Brush up on your pub songs, and have a pint.
★ 184 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Best on tap instead of bottled. Full flavor Irish ale. Sharp without being bitter, the barley rounds out as an amazing stand alone drinker. Brush up on your pub songs, and have a pint.
★ 184 characters
3.79/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I purchased a bottle of this from a Trader Joe's in St. Paul, MN. Smithwick's pours a dark red hue with a moderate head that never dissipates. The scent is mostly malt and some grains. The taste is malty and grainy while remaining crisp and clean. This was a very enjoyable beer.
★ 279 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I purchased a bottle of this from a Trader Joe's in St. Paul, MN. Smithwick's pours a dark red hue with a moderate head that never dissipates. The scent is mostly malt and some grains. The taste is malty and grainy while remaining crisp and clean. This was a very enjoyable beer.
★ 279 characters
3.05/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours, not surprisingly, a deep red in color with a light tan head. Retention is not a strong suit, though, dropping to thin film in under a minute. Decent amount of scattered lacing left behind.
Smell is pretty typical with notes of roasted malts, caramel and some bread.
Taste is somewhat astringent initially but follows with the roasted malt & caramel notes and a hint of vegetable.
Fairly light in body with a bold carbonation profile, too much, I think. Overall, it's all right but nothing to really recommend it either.
★ 528 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours, not surprisingly, a deep red in color with a light tan head. Retention is not a strong suit, though, dropping to thin film in under a minute. Decent amount of scattered lacing left behind.
Smell is pretty typical with notes of roasted malts, caramel and some bread.
Taste is somewhat astringent initially but follows with the roasted malt & caramel notes and a hint of vegetable.
Fairly light in body with a bold carbonation profile, too much, I think. Overall, it's all right but nothing to really recommend it either.
★ 528 characters
3.71/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This beer is one of my go to's if nothing else looks appealing. Its a very drinkable beer, hence my taste rating, but its not stellar. Its a solid choice for an Irish Ale.
★ 171 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
This beer is one of my go to's if nothing else looks appealing. Its a very drinkable beer, hence my taste rating, but its not stellar. Its a solid choice for an Irish Ale.
★ 171 characters
3.44/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Smithwick's is a mainstay in any Irish pub or restaurant. It certainly beats Killian's when it comes to red ales and always goes down smooth. On the lower end in ABV, this beer can be enjoyed with a meal and has a very pleasant aftertaste to boot.
★ 247 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Smithwick's is a mainstay in any Irish pub or restaurant. It certainly beats Killian's when it comes to red ales and always goes down smooth. On the lower end in ABV, this beer can be enjoyed with a meal and has a very pleasant aftertaste to boot.
★ 247 characters
3.78/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a beautiful mahogany with off white foam. Smell of molasses and roasted malt. Flavor follows with hints of caramel and cola. This is not a complicated ale, though is has a nice amber flavor and a good feel which makes it a great session brew.
★ 248 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a beautiful mahogany with off white foam. Smell of molasses and roasted malt. Flavor follows with hints of caramel and cola. This is not a complicated ale, though is has a nice amber flavor and a good feel which makes it a great session brew.
★ 248 characters
3.5/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A decent red ale. A nice toasty maltiness - not a whole lot else - but very drinkable overall. A little over carbonated than I prefer. At a an Irish pub I would much rather have this than a guinness.
★ 199 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A decent red ale. A nice toasty maltiness - not a whole lot else - but very drinkable overall. A little over carbonated than I prefer. At a an Irish pub I would much rather have this than a guinness.
★ 199 characters
4.34/5 rDev +24.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
11.2 oz. bottle poured into mug
L: red ... clear ... solid 3/4- to almost a full inch head of off-white/beige foam that is super sticky; keeps a half a skin and a nice thick collar; very little lacing but the pour and brew itself are lovely
S: sweet malt, dusty, toasted malt, very sweet toasted grain; slightly lour grain but just slight
T: malty sweet with a small earthy hop bite and a pinch of oak-wood flavor, not overly charred or burnt ... everything is mellow but there, especially the almost buttery malt sweetness; the malt tastes toasted at times, but not as toasted as it smells
F: fantastic ... perfect for my Americanized carbonation-loving planet ... crisp as a good lager with just enough ale heft for a perfect quaff
O: love it ... there's nothing here that's going to blow you over, but the blend of toasted malt sweetness with a bit of earthy hop character and some oak-wood flavor is a fantastic combination, and at 4.5% ABV, it's close to being a true session beer. i'll be mixing this in to my regular rotation often. a perfect drinker.
★ 1,070 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
11.2 oz. bottle poured into mug
L: red ... clear ... solid 3/4- to almost a full inch head of off-white/beige foam that is super sticky; keeps a half a skin and a nice thick collar; very little lacing but the pour and brew itself are lovely
S: sweet malt, dusty, toasted malt, very sweet toasted grain; slightly lour grain but just slight
T: malty sweet with a small earthy hop bite and a pinch of oak-wood flavor, not overly charred or burnt ... everything is mellow but there, especially the almost buttery malt sweetness; the malt tastes toasted at times, but not as toasted as it smells
F: fantastic ... perfect for my Americanized carbonation-loving planet ... crisp as a good lager with just enough ale heft for a perfect quaff
O: love it ... there's nothing here that's going to blow you over, but the blend of toasted malt sweetness with a bit of earthy hop character and some oak-wood flavor is a fantastic combination, and at 4.5% ABV, it's close to being a true session beer. i'll be mixing this in to my regular rotation often. a perfect drinker.
★ 1,070 characters
Smithwick's Imported Premium Irish Ale from Guinness Ltd.
3.48
out of 5
based on 2,684 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dark tea-like color, no overly pronounced aroma. Very pleasant first few drinks and still just as good at the bottom of the glass. No particular bitterness.
★ 156 characters