Smithwick's Imported Premium Irish Ale
Guinness Ltd.


Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Guinness Ltd.
- Ireland
- Style:
- Red Ale - Irish
Ranked #103 - ABV:
- 4.5%
- Score:
- 79
Ranked #27,988 - Avg:
- 3.47 | pDev: 14.99%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 02, 2022
- Added:
- Apr 01, 2006
- Wants:
- 75
- Gots:
- 695
SCORE
79
Okay
79
Okay


Notes:
Smithwick's is a clear beer with a rich ruby color and creamy head. Clean and delicate aroma with different individual notes: from the top fermentation by the Smithwick yeast come aromatic esters creating a fruity aroma. The Aroma Hops added late in the boil contribute clean fresh floral notes. Ale Malt contributes aroma hints of biscuit and caramel.
Refreshing and clean taste with a gentle balance of bitterness from the hops added early in the boil, sweet/malty notes from the ale malt, and hints of roast/coffee from the roasted barley.
Refreshing and clean taste with a gentle balance of bitterness from the hops added early in the boil, sweet/malty notes from the ale malt, and hints of roast/coffee from the roasted barley.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.53 by Beecham from California on Apr 02, 2022
3.25/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by magikbagel from Wisconsin
To me this beer was good when i’ve tried it on tap. Having a bottled one doesn’t really have the same effect, which I understand goes for many beers but its almost a completely different experience bottled, and not in a good way. I’ll stick to tap smithwicks going forward.
Mar 27, 2022
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by magikbagel from Wisconsin
To me this beer was good when i’ve tried it on tap. Having a bottled one doesn’t really have the same effect, which I understand goes for many beers but its almost a completely different experience bottled, and not in a good way. I’ll stick to tap smithwicks going forward.
Mar 27, 2022
3.71/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Wattie83 from Pennsylvania
Had on tap at local spot. Looks reddish-brown, clear in the glass with some carbonation rising up. Off-white head stuck around for a while and left some lacing behind. Smell was caramel, malty, with some herbal hop presence. Taste started sweet and malty. A balancing bitterness crept in in the middle with a nice herbal, lightly fruity flavor. Finish is more sweetness, caramel and pretty clean with little aftertaste. Feel is smooth, easy to drink medium bodied with a nice easy carbonation to keep the flavors moving. Overall, I had a few of these and they went down nicely. Not a beer I jumped at before, but would gladly revisit again.
Mar 22, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Wattie83 from Pennsylvania
Had on tap at local spot. Looks reddish-brown, clear in the glass with some carbonation rising up. Off-white head stuck around for a while and left some lacing behind. Smell was caramel, malty, with some herbal hop presence. Taste started sweet and malty. A balancing bitterness crept in in the middle with a nice herbal, lightly fruity flavor. Finish is more sweetness, caramel and pretty clean with little aftertaste. Feel is smooth, easy to drink medium bodied with a nice easy carbonation to keep the flavors moving. Overall, I had a few of these and they went down nicely. Not a beer I jumped at before, but would gladly revisit again.
Mar 22, 2022
3.84/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 3.75
by JZH1000 from Colorado
Poured from a 33cL bottle into a pint.
The look is quite impressive big 2 finger head with a slight column forming over the top of the pint glass. Recedes slightly, leaving it rocky but still above the rim of the glass. Lively carbonation on a dark amber red brew. This head is pretty insane. Lots of lacing here.
Aroma is all malt and ale character, but not all that strong to be honest. Some caramel and sweet herbal notes but I'm reaching. The aroma is pretty basic 70% malt, 25% yeast, 5% hops. Similar to an Alaskan amber in aroma but more covered up by the big head.
Taste follows the aroma but with more presence. Very easy and smooth to put down. Some toastiness in the malts with a nice sweetness coming through. Very clean despite being an ale. Some bitterness slowly builds from the hops used however its more in the back providing some balance. Very malt driven beer, but not too big.
Mouth feel is where this one shines. Creamy and frothy like a latte, very very smooth like a cloud. This is how drinking a lighter beer should feel. Not watery, but cloud like. Poundable and a good st pattys day brew even though I'm 15 minutes late now local time. Could be a nice summer brew as well.
Overall a nice light irish ale with a n absolutely killer amount of head retention and lacing. High quality it seems at least but still light enough to have a few with friends. Good baseline for an Irish red. Sweet wothout being too much and with a light kiss of hops on the finish.
Mar 18, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 3.75
by JZH1000 from Colorado
Poured from a 33cL bottle into a pint.
The look is quite impressive big 2 finger head with a slight column forming over the top of the pint glass. Recedes slightly, leaving it rocky but still above the rim of the glass. Lively carbonation on a dark amber red brew. This head is pretty insane. Lots of lacing here.
Aroma is all malt and ale character, but not all that strong to be honest. Some caramel and sweet herbal notes but I'm reaching. The aroma is pretty basic 70% malt, 25% yeast, 5% hops. Similar to an Alaskan amber in aroma but more covered up by the big head.
Taste follows the aroma but with more presence. Very easy and smooth to put down. Some toastiness in the malts with a nice sweetness coming through. Very clean despite being an ale. Some bitterness slowly builds from the hops used however its more in the back providing some balance. Very malt driven beer, but not too big.
Mouth feel is where this one shines. Creamy and frothy like a latte, very very smooth like a cloud. This is how drinking a lighter beer should feel. Not watery, but cloud like. Poundable and a good st pattys day brew even though I'm 15 minutes late now local time. Could be a nice summer brew as well.
Overall a nice light irish ale with a n absolutely killer amount of head retention and lacing. High quality it seems at least but still light enough to have a few with friends. Good baseline for an Irish red. Sweet wothout being too much and with a light kiss of hops on the finish.
Mar 18, 2022
3.92/5 rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by jgido759 from New Jersey
Pours a ruby amber color with a 2 finger, fluffy, off-white head. Nice lacing down the sides of the glass as you drink it.
Taste is slightly bitter with a malty sweetness to it. Light carbonation in the mouthfeel.
Overall, a good, easy-drinking ale.
Mar 17, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by jgido759 from New Jersey
Pours a ruby amber color with a 2 finger, fluffy, off-white head. Nice lacing down the sides of the glass as you drink it.
Taste is slightly bitter with a malty sweetness to it. Light carbonation in the mouthfeel.
Overall, a good, easy-drinking ale.
Mar 17, 2022
4.5/5 rDev +29.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by GABronco
I really liked this beer--it's going to be a regular in my house because it seems really versatile for food pairings and it's not too expensive.
Look - nice dark brownish red color that poured with a really nice 2+ finger head. Beer left a lacy foam down the cup as I drank it.
Smell - Very pleasing smells of malt and caramel
Taste - I really get the taste of malt, caramel, and just enough bitterness to offset it. I found it to be quite creamy and it went great with my burger at dinner.
Feel - Just a hint of carbonation and a good medium feel.
Mar 16, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by GABronco
I really liked this beer--it's going to be a regular in my house because it seems really versatile for food pairings and it's not too expensive.
Look - nice dark brownish red color that poured with a really nice 2+ finger head. Beer left a lacy foam down the cup as I drank it.
Smell - Very pleasing smells of malt and caramel
Taste - I really get the taste of malt, caramel, and just enough bitterness to offset it. I found it to be quite creamy and it went great with my burger at dinner.
Feel - Just a hint of carbonation and a good medium feel.
Mar 16, 2022
3.54 by M4CDO from Massachusetts on Mar 16, 2022
3.75 by Giggy from Michigan on Mar 13, 2022
4.85 by acecranker1 on Mar 11, 2022
3.1 by Jsalz21 from New Jersey on Mar 10, 2022
4.89/5 rDev +40.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by MarkieT from Kentucky
I like a BEER beer not watered-down sissy beer that tastes like carbonated water with just a hint of anything resembling a beer. Smithwicks is good stuff. A man's beer. Bottoms up. Enjoy one for yourself.
Mar 10, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by MarkieT from Kentucky
I like a BEER beer not watered-down sissy beer that tastes like carbonated water with just a hint of anything resembling a beer. Smithwicks is good stuff. A man's beer. Bottoms up. Enjoy one for yourself.
Mar 10, 2022
3.5 by evostudios12 from Florida on Mar 06, 2022
4.13 by msm18 on Feb 22, 2022
2.95 by infernalCop on Feb 19, 2022
4.45/5 rDev +28.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by TheMatts
Beautiful ruby and amber color with two inches of beige foam for a head. Sweet flavors at first. Great soft fee in your mouth, but still has a lil bit of citrus feel too. Maybe a slight taste of low sweetness fruit then a maltier flavor and small tastes of caramel too, maybe with a lil bit of cinnamon. Low bitterness. Maybe some spices from hops. Not a lot of aftertaste but not dull, makes this a refreshing beer, but one that could be enjoyed in the colder months. It does have a lighter flavor, but it is a Good beer. With every sip I like this beer more.
Jan 27, 2022
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by TheMatts
Beautiful ruby and amber color with two inches of beige foam for a head. Sweet flavors at first. Great soft fee in your mouth, but still has a lil bit of citrus feel too. Maybe a slight taste of low sweetness fruit then a maltier flavor and small tastes of caramel too, maybe with a lil bit of cinnamon. Low bitterness. Maybe some spices from hops. Not a lot of aftertaste but not dull, makes this a refreshing beer, but one that could be enjoyed in the colder months. It does have a lighter flavor, but it is a Good beer. With every sip I like this beer more.
Jan 27, 2022
3.05/5 rDev -12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
Unknown bottling date; drank 1/25/22 @ the Yarchives.
See-through amber appearance.
An even pour yielded a big off-white head; a thick curtain of tree-rung lace.
Caramel malt, orange peel & faint allspice notes in the nose.
Sticky medium mouthfeel.
Corn syrup, orange peel & cinnamon bite flavors.
A pretty bad beer, all things told. I've had my last.
Jan 27, 2022
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
Unknown bottling date; drank 1/25/22 @ the Yarchives.
See-through amber appearance.
An even pour yielded a big off-white head; a thick curtain of tree-rung lace.
Caramel malt, orange peel & faint allspice notes in the nose.
Sticky medium mouthfeel.
Corn syrup, orange peel & cinnamon bite flavors.
A pretty bad beer, all things told. I've had my last.
Jan 27, 2022
3.66 by Hophazzard from California on Jan 03, 2022
3.68/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by illtexzona from Illinois
On tap at the James Joyce Irish Pub in Berwyn, IL
Easy drinking, low abv, cloudy Irish red with a good malt backbone that has just enough hops to balance it without being present.
Dec 27, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by illtexzona from Illinois
On tap at the James Joyce Irish Pub in Berwyn, IL
Easy drinking, low abv, cloudy Irish red with a good malt backbone that has just enough hops to balance it without being present.
Dec 27, 2021
3.71 by Racer102589 on Dec 27, 2021
3.38 by lakewy17 from New Hampshire on Dec 26, 2021
3.46 by arini10 from Oregon on Dec 26, 2021
3.22/5 rDev -7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by brewandbbq from New Hampshire
12oz undated bottle.
Pours dark copper with a thick head of bone. Persistent retention with beautiful tattered lacework. Faint aromatics with a trace of sweet malt. Light bodied with plenty of lively carbonation. Light roast and sweet malt on the palate. Finishes with a balancing bitterness and some residual crystal malt.
Dec 22, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by brewandbbq from New Hampshire
12oz undated bottle.
Pours dark copper with a thick head of bone. Persistent retention with beautiful tattered lacework. Faint aromatics with a trace of sweet malt. Light bodied with plenty of lively carbonation. Light roast and sweet malt on the palate. Finishes with a balancing bitterness and some residual crystal malt.
Dec 22, 2021
3.49 by blissfulNemo from Michigan on Dec 09, 2021
4.1/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by Jule17 from Ohio
Omg
Dec 07, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
by Jule17 from Ohio
Omg
Dec 07, 2021
2.39 by HanktheTank94 on Dec 05, 2021
3.75/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Storm_Rryder from Iowa
A classic red ale ! A darker red/caramel color. No foam but the somewhat light mouthfeel does provide some carbonation. It is a little sweet but also a bit hoppy, and hints of roasted malts. Quite balanced really.. Easy to drink, I like it !
Dec 04, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Storm_Rryder from Iowa
A classic red ale ! A darker red/caramel color. No foam but the somewhat light mouthfeel does provide some carbonation. It is a little sweet but also a bit hoppy, and hints of roasted malts. Quite balanced really.. Easy to drink, I like it !
Dec 04, 2021
3.93 by tjb27 from Minnesota on Nov 20, 2021
3.88 by irishevans from California on Nov 19, 2021
3.37 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota on Nov 04, 2021
4.18/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Stevo8I7
Not strong, but very easy to drink
Nov 03, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Stevo8I7
Not strong, but very easy to drink
Nov 03, 2021
5 by Twitchp28 on Sep 06, 2021
3 by Bigmoist from West Virginia on Sep 05, 2021
3.82/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
12oz bottle into a pint glass. Freshness dating hard to understand.
Looks very good in the glass. Clear reddish amber body with slow streams of carbonation. Good foamy off white head leaves layers of lacing.
Sweet malty aroma.
On tasting, weaker than the nose would suggest.
Mouth just about reaches medium. There is a bit of an aftertaste.
Overall, perfectly serviceable irish red ale, probably deserves a higher rating here.
Aug 28, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
12oz bottle into a pint glass. Freshness dating hard to understand.
Looks very good in the glass. Clear reddish amber body with slow streams of carbonation. Good foamy off white head leaves layers of lacing.
Sweet malty aroma.
On tasting, weaker than the nose would suggest.
Mouth just about reaches medium. There is a bit of an aftertaste.
Overall, perfectly serviceable irish red ale, probably deserves a higher rating here.
Aug 28, 2021
3.59 by Dentist666 from Russian Federation on Aug 14, 2021
3.83/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
Well, it's not red, more like a bronze-brown as it sits in a clear Imperial pint glass, drawn from a tap. The head is a nice tight one and it's lasting. Although not pungent, the aroma has hints of what makes ales taste so good: malt, hops, yeast and a gestalt of those components. Fairly rich and very smooth is the mouthfeel, but its taste is quite mild. Malt is the dominant taste here and it's very pleasant. The brew is not overly sweet and the contributing hops don't add any bitterness, just additional flavor. This is a beer that's lack of character is it's character. It doesn't bring any bold taste, yet it's delightfully drinkable.
Aug 12, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
Well, it's not red, more like a bronze-brown as it sits in a clear Imperial pint glass, drawn from a tap. The head is a nice tight one and it's lasting. Although not pungent, the aroma has hints of what makes ales taste so good: malt, hops, yeast and a gestalt of those components. Fairly rich and very smooth is the mouthfeel, but its taste is quite mild. Malt is the dominant taste here and it's very pleasant. The brew is not overly sweet and the contributing hops don't add any bitterness, just additional flavor. This is a beer that's lack of character is it's character. It doesn't bring any bold taste, yet it's delightfully drinkable.
Aug 12, 2021
3.65 by HarlotBronte from District of Columbia on Jul 10, 2021
3.29 by shreead from Pennsylvania on Jul 08, 2021
3.46 by BrendanStoehr96 from Wisconsin on Jun 29, 2021
4.23 by AlltheBacon from Massachusetts on Jun 15, 2021
3.43 by mattjp03 from Alabama on Jun 06, 2021
Smithwick's Imported Premium Irish Ale from Guinness Ltd.
Beer rating:
79 out of
100 with
3164 ratings