Irish red ale is a style of pale ale with a distinctive red color. It is brewed using moderate amounts of kilned malts and roasted barley, typically has an alcohol content between 3.8% and 4.8%, and is characterized by a caramel or toffee-like sweetness with a dry finish.
History
The exact beginnings of Irish red ale remain unclear, though brewing has occurred in Kilkenny city at St. Francis Abbey since the 14th century. Commercial brewing expanded in the 18th century through Catholic families. Smithwick's stands as the most recognized Irish red ale, with roots dating back to 1710. Guinness took ownership of the brewery in 1965, and in 1987, they created Kilkenny as an export-only product that evolved into its own style. The name "Irish red ale" gained prominence in the United States before being reintroduced to Ireland by craft brewers.
Style
Irish red ale appears in the 11-18 range on the Standard Reference Method (SRM) color scale. Its flavor profile comes from its malt composition, featuring caramel or toffee-like sweetness, a dry finish, and bitterness levels between 15-30 IBU. The sweet taste and moderate alcohol content make this style appealing to American craft brewers. Kilkenny and Smithwick's represent the most widely available commercially produced versions.