Kilkenny is a popular Irish cream ale that has won the hearts of beer enthusiasts all over the world. It’s smooth, creamy, and delightfully refreshing, making it a go-to choice for many beer lovers. But what if you’re looking to broaden your horizons and try something new? In this blog post, we’ll explore five beers that are similar to Kilkenny in taste and texture, offering you a chance to discover new favorites.
We’ll take a look at the following alternatives:
1. Smithwick’s Irish Ale
2. Murphy’s Irish Red
3. Boddingtons Pub Ale
4. Old Speckled Hen
5. Belhaven Scottish Ale
So, let’s dive in and learn more about these Kilkenny alternatives and their origins and brewing methods.
1. Smithwick’s Irish Ale
Origin and Brew Method
Smithwick’s is another classic Irish ale that has been a favorite among beer drinkers for centuries. The brewery was founded in 1710 in Kilkenny, Ireland, making it one of the oldest operating breweries in the country. Smithwick’s Irish Ale is brewed using a combination of roasted barley, hops, and water sourced from the River Nore.
The brewing process involves roasting the barley to achieve a deep red color and a unique flavor profile that includes notes of caramel and toffee. The beer is then fermented at a lower temperature to create a smooth, creamy finish that is reminiscent of Kilkenny.
Taste and Texture
In terms of taste and texture, Smithwick’s Irish Ale is quite similar to Kilkenny, offering a smooth and creamy mouthfeel with a slightly sweet aftertaste. The roasted barley imparts a rich, malty flavor that is balanced by the subtle bitterness of the hops. If you’re a fan of Kilkenny, you’ll likely enjoy Smithwick’s Irish Ale as well.
2. Murphy’s Irish Red
Origin and Brew Method
Murphy’s Irish Red is another popular alternative to Kilkenny, originating from the Murphy’s Brewery in Cork, Ireland. The brewery was founded in 1856 and is known for producing high-quality ales and stouts. Murphy’s Irish Red is brewed using a combination of pale and crystal malts, which give the beer its distinct reddish hue.
The brewing process involves mashing the grains to extract their sugars and then boiling the resulting wort with hops to add bitterness and aroma. The beer is then fermented using a specially selected yeast strain that adds a fruity character to the final product.
Taste and Texture
Murphy’s Irish Red has a smooth and creamy texture, similar to Kilkenny, with a slightly sweeter taste. The maltiness of the beer is balanced by the fruity notes from the yeast and the bitterness of the hops, making for a well-rounded and enjoyable drinking experience.
3. Boddingtons Pub Ale
Origin and Brew Method
Boddingtons Pub Ale is an English cream ale that has been brewed in Manchester, England, since 1778. The beer is brewed using a blend of pale and crystal malts, along with a generous helping of English hops. Boddingtons is known for its distinctive creamy head, which is achieved by using a special nitrogen gas blend during the packaging process.
The brewing process involves mashing the grains, boiling the wort with hops, and then fermenting the beer with a traditional English ale yeast strain. The beer is then packaged with the unique nitrogen gas blend, which creates the trademark creamy head and smooth mouthfeel.
Taste and Texture
Boddingtons Pub Ale offers a taste and texture that is quite similar to Kilkenny, featuring a smooth and creamy mouthfeel with a slightly sweet finish. The maltiness of the beer is complemented by the earthy and floral notes from the English hops, making for a well-balanced and satisfying pint.
4. Old Speckled Hen
Origin and Brew Method
Old Speckled Hen is an English ale that was first brewed in 1979 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the MG car factory in Abingdon, England. The beer is brewed using pale and crystal malts, along with a blend of English and American hops.
The brewing process involves mashing the grains to extract their sugars, boiling the wort with hops to add bitterness and aroma, and then fermenting the beer with an English ale yeast strain. The finished product is a rich, malty ale with a smooth and creamy texture.
Taste and Texture
Old Speckled Hen offers a taste and texture similar to Kilkenny, with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel and a slightly sweet finish. The maltiness of the beer is balanced by the fruity and earthy notes from the hops, creating a well-rounded and enjoyable drinking experience.
5. Belhaven Scottish Ale
Origin and Brew Method
Belhaven Scottish Ale is a classic example of a traditional Scottish ale, brewed in Dunbar, Scotland, since 1719. The beer is brewed using a combination of pale, crystal, and roasted malts, along with a blend of English and American hops.
The brewing process involves mashing the grains to extract their sugars, boiling the wort with hops to add bitterness and aroma, and then fermenting the beer with a Scottish ale yeast strain. The finished product is a rich, malty ale with a smooth and creamy texture.
Taste and Texture
Belhaven Scottish Ale offers a taste and texture similar to Kilkenny, with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel and a slightly sweet finish. The maltiness of the beer is balanced by the fruity and earthy notes from the hops, creating a well-rounded and enjoyable drinking experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re a fan of Kilkenny and looking to try something new, there are plenty of alternatives out there to satisfy your taste buds. From classic Irish ales like Smithwick’s and Murphy’s Irish Red to English and Scottish options like Boddingtons, Old Speckled Hen, and Belhaven Scottish Ale, you’re sure to find a new favorite among these tasty alternatives. Each of these beers offers a smooth and creamy texture, along with a rich, malty flavor profile that is similar to Kilkenny.
Personally, I recommend giving Smithwick’s Irish Ale a try. As it hails from the same historic brewery as Kilkenny, you’ll find it to be a familiar yet distinct alternative that is sure to please your palate. Cheers!
FAQs
What is the difference between Kilkenny and Guinness?
Kilkenny and Guinness are both Irish beers, but they differ in terms of style and taste. Guinness is a stout, known for its dark color and rich, roasted flavor with notes of coffee and chocolate. On the other hand, Kilkenny is a cream ale, which is lighter and smoother in taste, with a creamy texture and a slightly sweet, malty flavor. While Guinness has a distinct bitterness, Kilkenny is more balanced and approachable. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference for either a robust stout or a smoother cream ale.
Is Kilkenny similar to Guinness?
No, Kilkenny is not similar to Guinness. While both are popular Irish beers, they have distinct characteristics. Guinness is a dark stout with a rich, roasted flavor, creamy texture, and a slightly bitter taste. On the other hand, Kilkenny is a red ale that is smoother, lighter, and has a more malty and sweet profile.
Is Kilkenny a flat beer?
No, Kilkenny is not a flat beer. It is a nitrogenated Irish cream ale that has a smooth and creamy texture, similar to Guinness.
What is Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale similar to?
Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale is similar to other smooth and creamy ales, such as Guinness Draught or Murphy’s Irish Stout. It shares characteristics of a traditional Irish-style beer with a rich, velvety texture and a slightly sweet, malty flavor profile.
Is Guinness and Kilkenny the same?
No, Guinness and Kilkenny are not the same. While both are Irish beers, they have distinct characteristics and flavors. Guinness is a dark stout beer known for its rich, roasted malt flavor and creamy texture. On the other hand, Kilkenny is a smooth Irish cream ale with a slightly sweeter taste and a reddish hue.
What does Kilkenny taste like?
Kilkenny is a smooth and creamy Irish red ale with a rich malty flavor. It has notes of caramel, toffee, and biscuit, balanced with a subtle hop bitterness. The beer is known for its velvety texture and slightly sweet finish.
