Walk into any pub in Ireland and order “a pint,” and yes, there’s a decent chance you’ll get a glass of Guinness (especially if you’re a tourist like me). But Ireland’s beer culture stretches far beyond “The Black Stuff”. From Cork to Kilkenny, and a new wave of craft breweries producing everything from IPAs to barrel-aged porters, there’s never been a better time to try an Irish beer.
Whether you don’t like Guinness, want to broaden your knowledge of Irish brewing, or just want to try something new on St. Patrick’s Day, here are some good Guinness alternatives to try.
Irish Stouts That Aren’t Guinness
Don’t want to stray too far from stouts? Don’t worry, there are some awesome Irish stouts that aren’t Guinness you can try.
Murphy’s Irish Stout
Brewed at the Lady’s Well Brewery in Cork since 1856, Murphy’s is probably the closest you can get to Guinness without actually getting a Guinness. It’s a nitrogen-poured dry stout with a smoother, slightly sweeter profile than Guinness. So, if Guiness is just a little too dry, or if you want something slightly different, Murphy’s is a good alternative. It’s also widely available across Ireland and in Irish pubs internationally.
Style: Irish Dry Stout | ABV: 4.0% | Brewed in: Cork
Beamish Irish Stout
Also brewed in Cork (and now under the same ownership as Murphy’s: Heineken), Beamish is bolder than Guinness. It’s rich and malty, and it has notes of chocolate and coffee akin to many stouts in the United States. It’s also not a nitro pour, so it’ll be less smooth and creamy than Guinness or Murphy’s. If you can find this, give it a try!
Style: Irish Dry Stout | ABV: 4.2% | Brewed in: Cork
O’Hara’s Irish Stout
From Carlow Brewing Company (one of Ireland’s first modern craft breweries, founded in 1996), O’Hara’s Irish Stout is the flagship beer. O’Hara’s is brewed using classic Irish brewing methods, so you could make an argument that it’s the most traditional style stout of anything listed. Give it a try if you’re in Ireland, and try to find it if you’re not!
Style: Irish Dry Stout | ABV: 4.3% | Brewed in: Carlow
Porterhouse Plain Porter
If you’re in Dublin, stop by Porterhouse Brewing Company. They make a lot of tasty brews, but their Plain Porter is the best Guinness alternative to try. No, this beer isn’t plain; it has a nice toffee flavor and bitter notes. Also, it’s poured as a traditional cask ale, so no artificial carbonation! It’s a great beer to try if you have the chance.
Style: Porter | ABV: 4.3% | Brewed in: Dublin
How Do Irish Stouts Compare to Guinness?
To make things easy (because I love tables), here’s a quick comparison of these stouts and porters.
| Beer | Flavour Profile | ABV | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guinness Draught | Dry, roasted, slightly bitter | 4.2% | The benchmark |
| Murphy’s Irish Stout | Smoother, slightly sweet, less bitter | 4.0% | Guinness-disliker’s first try |
| Beamish | Rich, chocolate, malty, dense | 4.2% | Stout lovers who want more body |
| O’Hara’s Irish Stout | Dry, roasty, strong bitterness | 4.3% | Craft beer drinkers |
| Porterhouse Plain Porter | Toffee, light smoke, chocolate | 4.3% | Traditional / cask-style fans |
Other Irish Beers Worth Drinking
Maybe the reason you want an Irish beer that isn’t Guinness is that you don’t want a dark beer. If that’s the case, there are some awesome Irish ales you can try instead.
Smithwick’s Red Ale
I couldn’t make a list without Smithwick’s! Brewed in Kilkenny since 1710, Smithwick’s (pronounced “Smitticks”) Red Ale is as Irish as Irish beer gets. This malty red ale has plenty of sweet caramel flavor, and it’s really easy to drink. It’s my go-to when I want an Irish beer that isn’t Guinness. It’s also available across Ireland and in many international markets.
Style: Irish Red Ale | ABV: 3.8% | Brewed in: Kilkenny
Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale
Kilkenny is a nitrogen-poured cream ale that’s soft and…well, creamy. It’s a really approachable beer if you don’t love beer like Guinness. Personally, I don’t love cream ales, but this one gets a pass because it’s so well done.
Style: Irish Cream Ale | ABV: 4.3% | Brewed in: Kilkenny
Harp Lager
Harp is Ireland’s best-known domestic lager, maybe because it’s bascially the lager version of Guinness; after all, they are owned by the same parent company. It’s a clean, light, crisp pale lager, perfect for anyone that wants something a little easier to sip on than a Guinness. You’ll find it on draught in most Irish pubs and in cans at grocery stores in the United States.
Style: Pale Lager | ABV: 4.3% | Brewed in: Dundalk / multiple sites
Where to Find Non-Guinness Irish Beers
Where you can find these beers depends on where you are:
In Ireland: Irish beers are found in Irish pubs pretty much everywhere. If you want a specific beer, you’re best off visiting the city where it’s brewed. Craft beers are often served in pubs dedicated specifically to craft beer, so look out for those in major cities.
In the United States: Irish pubs are your best bet for finding any alternative to Guinness. Smithwicks, Murphy’s and Harp are the easiest to find, and some of them are available in grocery stores and liquor stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Murphy’s Irish Stout and Beamish are the closest to Guinness since both are nitrogen-poured dry stouts with a similar dark, roasted character.
No, Guinness is not the only Irish stout. Murphy’s and Beamish are both popular Irish stouts, and breweries across Ireland brew their own versions of stout.
Smithwick’s Red Ale is probably the most popular beer besides Guinness, in large part because of it’s history and wide global reach. Harp Lager is also popular thanks to it’s global production and distribution.
Yes, Guinness is actually Irish! It was founded at St. James’s Gate in Dublin in 1759 by Arthur Guinness, and it is still brewed there today.
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