Guinness
Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale
The most widely distributed Irish red ale, and the reference point for a style defined by restraint.
- Strength
- 3.8–4.5% ABV
- Style
- Irish red ale
- Brewery
- Guinness
Also called Smithwicks, Smithwick’s.
Smithwick’s is what Irish red ale is: modest bitterness, a light toasted dryness from a small addition of roasted barley, and very little else asserting itself. The colour suggests caramel sweetness that the beer does not deliver, which is the most common way the style is misread.
Strength varies by market, which matters here more than usual because the Irish and export versions differ. BeerHQ records a range rather than a figure for that reason.
What it tastes like
Inherited from Irish red ale, because this beer sits within the normal range for it. BeerHQ’s comparative scale, not a measurement.
Why BeerHQ carries this beer
| Reason | Carried as a reference example of its style |
|---|---|
| Strength | 3.8–4.5% ABV — checked 2026-08-16. Strengths differ by market and change without announcement, so this is dated rather than absolute. |
| Record stability | Moderate — some details are expected to drift and should be re-checked periodically. |
BeerHQ records no recipe, hop bill, malt bill, yeast strain, IBU or calorie figure for any commercial beer unless it is sourced. Nothing on this page is inferred from what the beer tastes like.
What is distinctive about it
- A small proportion of roasted barley gives the colour and a dry finish rather than sweetness
- Sold at different strengths in different markets
If you like Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale
Worked out from what this beer actually tastes like rather than from what its style typically does. Three kinds of move, because “what should I try next” is three different questions.
Closest to it
Very similar in structure and flavour. Safe ground rather than discovery.
Blonde ale — try Firestone Walker 805
A close structural match for Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: noticeably less caramel & toffee (moderate → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less caramel & toffee than Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale.
Strong bitter — try Timothy Taylor Landlord or Old Speckled Hen
A close structural match for Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: slightly more bitterness (low → moderate–high).
May not suit: Very close to Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Best bitter — try Fuller's London Pride or Marston's Pedigree
A close structural match for Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: slightly more bitterness (low → moderate).
May not suit: Very close to Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Similar, but different
Keeps what you probably like about it and changes one or two things. Usually the most useful answer.
Ordinary bitter — try Greene King IPA or Adnams Southwold Bitter
Keeps most of what Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale does and shifts bitterness.
Different: slightly more bitterness (low → moderate).
May not suit: Very close to Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Belgian pale ale — try Orval or Pauwel Kwak
Keeps most of what Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale does and shifts dryness.
Different: noticeably less dryness (moderate → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less dryness than Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale.
English pale ale — try Bass Pale Ale
Keeps most of what Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale does and shifts herbal.
Different: noticeably more herbal (none–trace → moderate).
May not suit: Noticeably more herbal than Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale.
A bigger jump
Genuinely different, but connected by something specific — the shared trait is named so you can judge whether the bridge holds.
Munich Helles — try Augustiner Helles or Aecht Schlenkerla Helles
Both carry real malt intensity, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale.
Different: noticeably less caramel & toffee (moderate → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less caramel & toffee than Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale.
Vienna lager — try Samuel Adams Boston Lager or Brooklyn Lager
Both carry real malt intensity, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale.
Different: slightly more carbonation (low → moderate).
May not suit: Very close to Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Munich Dunkel — try Weltenburger Kloster Barock Dunkel or Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel
Both carry real malt intensity, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale.
Different: noticeably more bread & biscuit (low → high).
May not suit: Noticeably more bread & biscuit than Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale.
Likely fits rather than promises. Taste varies, and a recommendation engine that claims certainty is claiming something it cannot know.
What to eat with it
Inherited from Irish red ale. BeerHQ does not duplicate pairings onto individual products unless the product genuinely differs from its style.
- Spicy food
Gentle sweetness and modest strength take the edge off the chilli rather than sharpening it.
- Adobo
Beer and dish carry similar weight, so neither flattens the other.
- Injera and wat
Beer and dish carry similar weight, so neither flattens the other.
- Vindaloo
Gentle sweetness and modest strength take the edge off the chilli rather than sharpening it.
Keeping it
Irish red ale shows best within 2–4 months of packaging. After that it declines in quality rather than becoming unsafe.
Drink fresh. Buy it as young as you can and drink it soon. What makes this beer worth drinking is the first thing to leave it.
Derived from Irish red ale. See storage and freshness for the full model.
BeerHQ carries a small set of reference beers to anchor styles, not a catalogue. There is no rating here and there will not be one. Last reviewed 2026-08-16.