Classic Irish pints and American craft beer takes on tradition worth celebrating on this year

Every March 17, millions of Americans suddenly rediscover their Irish heritage—sometimes legitimately, sometimes conveniently. Either way, St. Patrick’s Day has become one of the biggest beer-drinking days of the year, and while green lager may dominate the party circuit, the real fun is found in the classic Irish styles that inspired the celebration.

Irish stouts, red ales, and crisp lagers have been fueling pub culture for centuries, and today they’re brewed everywhere from Dublin to Denver

And here are 10 beers—both traditional Irish and American craft interpretations—that deserve a place at your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations this year.

Guinness Draught

Brewery: Guinness — Dublin, Ireland

If St. Patrick’s Day had an official beer, it would be this one. First brewed in 1759 at the famous St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, Guinness Draught is known for its creamy nitrogen pour and cascading head.

Despite its nearly black color, the stout is surprisingly light-bodied, delivering roasted barley, coffee, and subtle chocolate flavors with a dry finish. More than two and a half centuries later, it’s still the benchmark for Irish stout.

Smithwick’s Irish Red Ale

Brewery: Smithwick’s — (Dublin, Ireland)

Founded in Kilkenny, Ireland back in 1710, this beloved classic is one of Ireland’s oldest continuously brewed beers.

Currently brewed by Guiness in Dublin, it remains a St. Patrick’s Day favorite, a 4.5% ABV Irish Red Lle known for its ruby-red color, malty sweetness, and low bitterness.

Harp Lager

Brewery: Guinness — Originally brewed in Dundalk, Ireland

Created in 1960 to compete with European lagers, Harp gave Irish drinkers a lighter option alongside traditional ales and stouts. Crisp, clean, and lightly hoppy, it’s still a refreshing contrast to darker Irish beers.

It’s also commonly used in layered pub pours like the classic half-and-half.

Murphy’s Irish Stout

Brewery: Murphy’s Brewery — Cork, Ireland

Murphy’s has been brewed in Cork since 1856 and offers a slightly sweeter alternative to Dublin’s iconic stout. The beer features notes of caramel, cocoa, and roasted malt with a soft, creamy body.

For drinkers who find Guinness a little dry, Murphy’s can be the perfect Irish stout introduction.

Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale

Brewery: Guinness — Dublin, Ireland

Originally developed for export markets, Kilkenny is often described as a nitrogen-served version of Smithwick’s. The beer pours copper-red with a dense creamy head and delivers toasted malt sweetness balanced by gentle hop bitterness.

It’s a great “bridge” beer between stout and lager.

O’Hara’s Irish Stout

Brewery: Carlow Brewing Company — County Carlow, Ireland

Part of Ireland’s modern craft revival, O’Hara’s has been brewing since the 1990s and has become one of the country’s most respected independent breweries.

Their Irish Stout leans fuller and more robust than the classics, with bold espresso, roasted barley, and bittersweet chocolate notes.

Conway’s Irish Ale

Brewery: Great Lakes Brewing Company — Cleveland, Ohio

Named after the grandfather of the brewery’s founders, Conway’s Irish Ale has become one of the most beloved Irish-style seasonals in the U.S.

The beer pours bright copper with biscuit malt, caramel sweetness, and a clean, balanced finish.

Killian’s Irish Red

Brewery: Coors Brewing Company — Golden, Colorado

While inspired by an Irish recipe from the Killian family, this widely available American version introduced many U.S. drinkers to the red ale style in the 1990s.

Smooth, slightly sweet, and lightly hopped, it remains a nostalgic St. Patrick’s Day staple.

Left Hand Dry Irish Stout Nitro

Brewery: Left Hand Brewing Company — Longmont, Colorado

Pumped out of its mind on lactose (the milk sugar that gives this beer its appealing creaminess), and on the nitrogen that ensures its deep rich head, Left Hand Dry Irish Stout Nitro is a full-bodied 4.3% ABV Dry Stout that’s been brewed to paired with another this St Patrick’s Day.

Expect roasted barley a coffee bitterness offset by a creamy nitrogen- infused .

Boulevard Irish Red Ale

Brewery: Boulevard Brewing Company — Kansas City, Missouri

Unapologetically sweeter than some Irish Reds and tethered to a rich, chocolate and caramel malt bill, Boulevard Brewing’s Irish Ale is the perfect dry stout alternative.

Pouring deep tawny amber and nicely positioned at 5.8% ABV Boulevard’s Irish Red is an honest tribute to the legendary malt-forward ales of old Ireland that never forgets it’s Midwestern roots.

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And while we’re at it there’s this…

A Craft Beer Lover’s St. Patrick’s Day Primer

A Craft Beer Lover’s St. Patrick’s Day Primer

Cooking With Beer: Guinness St Patrick’s Day Beef Stew