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

 

7/2022 Draft, in Ireland

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

Pours a deep red with 1 finger head. Taste is similar to an amber ale with little to no bitterness. And easy drinking ale. . .

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Remind me of home. I miss this ale so much. Put it on your list and try it if you're in Ireland

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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.