These 7 Irish Beers Will Make You Forget All About Guinness!

As the story behind St. Patrick’s Day goes, Saint Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland—a great reason for a celebratory drink. Today, however, the holiday that celebrates the patron saint of Ireland has become a global party that has little to do with religion or snakes, but plenty to do with beer and whiskey.

It’s nearly impossible to talk about Irish beer and not mention Guinness. Thanks to tradition, great marketing and breweries around the globe, Guinness has cornered the market on Irish beer with its stout, which is immediately recognizable thanks to its nitrogenated pour that cascades down the glass—resulting in a thick cake of foam atop the pint.

That famed stout is ubiquitous all year, but St. Patrick’s Day is its time to shine. The brewery, owned by Diageo, says roughly 17 million pints are expected to be served this March 17.

“While we do actually brew different Guinness beers in 50 countries around the world and are served in over 150, all of the Guinness Draught we get here is brewed at St. James’s Gate in Dublin and imported to the U.S.,” says Jimmy Callahan, Guinness Brewery Ambassador. “It’s the same beer here and in Ireland.”

Now we’ve got nothing against enjoying a Guinness (or several) on Saint Patrick’s Day. But if you are looking to change things up, here are some Irish beers that aren’t Guinness but are definitely worth enjoying.

The Irish Beers to Enjoy Right Now

1. For Fizzy Drinking

Smithwicks Red Ale

Also produced by Diageo, this red ale is nearly as ubiquitous as its stout cousin, Guinness, at American bars. Garnet in color with a sweet grain profile and almost imperceptible hops, this beer adds a pop of carbonation to the tastebuds during those long afternoons at the pub.

$19 (12 Pack) Total Wine & More

2. Stout Alternative

Murphy’s Stout

Choice is a great thing. And when it comes to dry Irish stouts with a nitro pour, there is another option: Murphy’s. Owned by Heineken but brewed in Cork, Ireland, this stout has a stronger coffee and roast malt flavor, which adds a bit of oomph to the glass.

$8 Total Wine & More