Smithwick’s Red Ale Beer Review
Smithwick’s
Smithwick’s was founded in Kilkenny in 1710 by John Smithwick. The brewery brews Smithwick’s Red Ale. The Smithwick family of Kilkenny ran the brewery until 1965. Guinness acquired the company and shut down the Kilkenny brewery in 2013. Guinness moved production of all Smithwick’s and Kilkenny branded beers to Dublin and converted parts of the old brewery into a “visitor experience.”
Smithwick’s Red Ale
Smithwick’s describes the Irish 3.8% ABV version Red Ale as “The distinctive Ruby Red colour makes it unmistakably Smithwick’s. With a refreshingly balanced taste, this is a blend of mild hops, sweet malt, and roasted barley. The gentle bitterness of the hops is perfectly complemented by the sweet, malty notes.” The 4.5% US version description on the can is slightly different: “Our ruby red brew with a gentle hop bitterness, sweet malty notes & refreshingly balanced taste.” Red Ale has a 4.5% ABV and 20 IBU. The US can is 14.9 oz. but shows 128 calories, 8.6g carbs, 0g fat and 1.4g protein based on a 12 ounce serving. It has an “Okay” rating on Beer Advocate.
Our Review of Smithwick’s Red Ale
My favorite beers are generally red and amber lagers and ales, and Figueroa Mountain Danish Red Lager in particular. Smithwick’s Red Ale doesn’t have great reviews but I liked it. The more I drank it, the more I liked it.
The ale has a 4.5% ABV and 128 calories per 12 ounce serving, meaning it is approaching light beer status. Thought of this way, Smithwick’s has far more taste than all the major light beers. Maybe it is not the best red ale or lager I have had, but is very drinkable and smooth with no bitterness. I would gladly drink it again.
For red lager recommendations, see our reviews of Figueroa Mountain Danish Red Lager and East Brother Red Lager.
For beer nutritional information of all beers we have reviewed see Beer Nutritional Information.
