IRISH BEERS

In my own home country, I like and drink wine. I have never drunk beers. Actually, I don't like "yellow" beers (lagers or whatever they are called).
But abroad, I discovered (an easy discovery, surely) that there are different different types of beers, and I started appreciating dark beers, brown (stouts) or red (ales). "Weizen" beers still I don't like a lot, but when there are no darker beers ...

Irish beers are particularly tasteful for me. Here is an excerpt from another site I found listing Irish beers.


Ireland is particularly known for two beer styles - The Irish Red (which is an Amber-colored Pale Ale, usually featuring a caramel malt backbone with a bready/yeasty undertone and a light, earthy bitterness), and the Dry Stout (which has a very coffee-like, dry taste to it, hence the name).

If you want to get your inner Irishman (or Irishwoman) on, here's a list of beers that should do it for you with good style, flavor, and class:

1. Guinness: The most well-known Irish beer. Takes on many forms, Irish Guinness (such as Foreign Extra Stout or Special Export Stout) gets top marks with an "A-" or an "A" rating depending on which one.

2. Smithwick's: (Pronounced "Smid-icks"), a very good Irish Red Ale brewed by Guinness. A nice caramel malty backbone with some yeasty/bready undertones and a mild tea-like bitterness. A "B" on my rating scale, and one of my favorite all-time session beers.

3. O'Hara's Irish Red Ale: From the Carlow Brewing Company. A very low alcohol content beer (4.3%). A bit more intense hop bite than Smithwick's, with the same amount of sweet caramel goodness, and some fruity and floral undertones as well. A great all-around beer, a "B+" on my scale.

4. Caffrey's Irish Ale: Similar to Smithwicks, though usually served out of a Nitro can. Heads up much like fresh-from-the-tap Guinness, though not too big on flavor. Would be a good option for those of you that like lighter beers, if you can find it (it can be difficult). A "B-" rating.

5. Beamish Irish Stout: Served usually in a Nitro Can like canned Guinness Draught. Has that classic Irish Dry Stout taste - coffee, chocolate malt, and a fair amount of bitterness. It's rather creamy and smooth though. It's really good. A "B+" from me.

6. Murphy's Stout: Much like Guinness Draught or Beamish, served in Nitro cans. A fair bit sweeter than either Beamish or Guinness, but a very good, drinkable stout nonetheless. A "B+" Beer and winner for sure.