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


Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Smithwick's Brewery / Irish Ale Breweries Ltd
- Ireland
- Style:
- Irish Red Ale
Ranked #109 - ABV:
- 3.8%
- Score:
- 77
Ranked #29,255 - Avg:
- 3.38 | pDev: 15.98%
- Reviews:
- 329
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jul 31, 2022
- Added:
- Apr 16, 2002
- Wants:
- 27
- Gots:
- 134
SCORE
77
Okay
77
Okay


Notes:
None
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Rated by rclangk from West Virginia
3.81/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
7/2022 Draft, in Ireland
Jul 24, 2022Reviewed by vludwig from Massachusetts
2.65/5 rDev -21.6%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
2.65/5 rDev -21.6%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.75
The ale is a very clear reddish brown, with a dense tannish head that solidified into a whipped cream-like sculpture.
It had a clean, moderate toasted/roasted aroma, without complexity or particular appear.
The flavor was similar to the aroma, having a light taste of roasted unmalted barley, with a slight hint of malt and sourness. The mouthfeel was thin and watery. The finish was clean, and the dry, bitter, roasted barley taste slowly faded away.
I imagine this ale might appeal to drinkers of Guiness dry stout, but I didn't find any reason to drink this colorful roasted barley water again.
Jan 03, 2022It had a clean, moderate toasted/roasted aroma, without complexity or particular appear.
The flavor was similar to the aroma, having a light taste of roasted unmalted barley, with a slight hint of malt and sourness. The mouthfeel was thin and watery. The finish was clean, and the dry, bitter, roasted barley taste slowly faded away.
I imagine this ale might appeal to drinkers of Guiness dry stout, but I didn't find any reason to drink this colorful roasted barley water again.
Reviewed by backblast from Alaska
3.55/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.55/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
It looks lovely with the dark, ruby red color and white head.
Tasted malts and biscuit up front and it has a little caramel mixed in with a light hop presence and grassiness. However, found this to be very thin in the mouthfeel and it washed away quickly. Would be nice on a hot summer day.
Mar 20, 2021Tasted malts and biscuit up front and it has a little caramel mixed in with a light hop presence and grassiness. However, found this to be very thin in the mouthfeel and it washed away quickly. Would be nice on a hot summer day.
Reviewed by teromous from Virginia
3.86/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.86/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From the back label: "04:55 L0185G D 0 0 3"
From the front label: "4.5% ALC./VOL. 11.2 FL OZ"
Appearance: The body of the beer is a dark tea-like brown with a burnt umber orange tint to it. The beer has very good clarity and a large, rocky, thick off-white head. It has very good head retention and lacing.
Aroma: There is a pleasant spicy hop aroma with a mellow caramel aroma. Black tea comes through.
Taste: There is a mellow earthy quality to the beer with a tiny bit of mineral taste. There are notes of tea leaves and a hint of burnt carbon at the end.
Mouthfeel: It has a medium-light body with good drinkability and a nice clean finish.
Overall: The beer that I have says "4.5% ALC./VOL. 11.2 FL OZ" on the label and it is red with a picture of a tower. The beer is full of great flavor and aroma, and it looks fantastic in the glass. It would go great with pub fare, whether it's a burger or fish and chips. The beer tastes very fresh but I can't seem to find a solid bottle or import date other than what was mentioned at the top. I would recommend it and I would drink it again. Very enjoyable to drink.
Feb 12, 2021From the front label: "4.5% ALC./VOL. 11.2 FL OZ"
Appearance: The body of the beer is a dark tea-like brown with a burnt umber orange tint to it. The beer has very good clarity and a large, rocky, thick off-white head. It has very good head retention and lacing.
Aroma: There is a pleasant spicy hop aroma with a mellow caramel aroma. Black tea comes through.
Taste: There is a mellow earthy quality to the beer with a tiny bit of mineral taste. There are notes of tea leaves and a hint of burnt carbon at the end.
Mouthfeel: It has a medium-light body with good drinkability and a nice clean finish.
Overall: The beer that I have says "4.5% ALC./VOL. 11.2 FL OZ" on the label and it is red with a picture of a tower. The beer is full of great flavor and aroma, and it looks fantastic in the glass. It would go great with pub fare, whether it's a burger or fish and chips. The beer tastes very fresh but I can't seem to find a solid bottle or import date other than what was mentioned at the top. I would recommend it and I would drink it again. Very enjoyable to drink.
Reviewed by plaid75 from New York
3.5/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured a deep amber hue with a one finger frothy white head. There was good retention and lacing.
The smell featured a faint caramel and grassy hop.
The taste was likewise muted with some grainy caramel present.
The mouthful was dry and clean.
Overall a decent import. Domestic craft has perfected this style though.
Jan 24, 2021The smell featured a faint caramel and grassy hop.
The taste was likewise muted with some grainy caramel present.
The mouthful was dry and clean.
Overall a decent import. Domestic craft has perfected this style though.
Rated by jgido759 from New Jersey
3.67/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a deep red with 1 finger head. Taste is similar to an amber ale with little to no bitterness. And easy drinking ale. . .
Jul 04, 2020Reviewed by Thirstytraveler from Oregon
4/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Full disclosure; I grew up drinking Guinness, so I am no doubt influenced by great memories, as this has a similar but lighter and more malty taste. Mild caramel notes, slightly sweet. Very nice light red color, nice head without too much carbonation. This is my go to beer now that it is locally available at Traders Joes.
May 20, 2020Reviewed by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
2.87/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
2.87/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
This one has been popping up in the area since St Paddy's Day is approaching so thought I"d try again after many years. Some things don't change much.
Deep amber with a decent clingy head. Slightly nutty aroma but nothing too enticing. Mild, inoffensive taste that lacks any distinction. Blah. Now back to drinking locally.
Mar 08, 2020Deep amber with a decent clingy head. Slightly nutty aroma but nothing too enticing. Mild, inoffensive taste that lacks any distinction. Blah. Now back to drinking locally.
Rated by crux55 from Australia
5/5 rDev +47.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +47.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Remind me of home. I miss this ale so much. Put it on your list and try it if you're in Ireland
Aug 29, 2019Reviewed by dd53grif from Michigan
3.5/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a clear red brew with a foamy head that lasts quite a while. Aroma was sweet, a bit fruity. No hop bitterness. Taste was crisp and fruity. Good mouth feel.
Aug 02, 2019Reviewed by ChicagoJ from Illinois
3.2/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.2/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
6/24/17 (Chicago). 16 oz draft pour into standard pint glass. $5.50 @ NW Vaughn’s. Dark copper pour, light tan head and carbonation. Light, sweet malt aroma. Mild sweet malt and chocolate taste. Light mouth feel and texture, minimal carbonation. Overall good offering.
May 13, 2019Reviewed by RJLarse from Washington
3.36/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.36/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
An average red ale. Mahogany color, thin head not much of an aroma to speak of. Taste is malt forward, low bitterness. Probably a good English version of the style, but I like a little more hop presence.
Mar 18, 2019Reviewed by EMH73 from New York
3.37/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.37/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a reddish amber with a poorly retained half inch white head that left little lacing. Smells of malt. Tastes of sweet malts, a hint of hops, nuttiness and caramel. Nothing complex about the taste and nothing offensive. Light to medium bodied and carbonation, watery mouth feel, no bitterness to speak of.
Nov 23, 2018
Smithwick's Ale from Smithwick's Brewery / Irish Ale Breweries Ltd
Beer rating:
77 out of
100 with
777 ratings
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