Smithwick's
Smithwick's is an Irish red ale brand founded in Kilkenny in 1710 and now owned and produced by Diageo.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Smithwick's is an Irish beer brand whose roots reach back to a brewery established by John Smithwick in Kilkenny in 1710. The brewery was built on the site of a former Franciscan abbey where monks had brewed ale since the fourteenth century, linking the brand to one of Ireland's oldest brewing locations. For much of its history, Smithwick's was a family-operated business serving Kilkenny and gradually expanding beyond the local market. The brewery initially remained relatively small. After periods in which the business temporarily left direct family ownership, John Smithwick's great-grandson Edmond Smithwick reacquired the brewery land and redirected the company toward broader commercial development. He cultivated export markets in England, Scotland and Wales, helping increase production substantially. The family also held an important place in Kilkenny civic life and supported local institutions, including St Mary's Cathedral. The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries brought both expansion and serious commercial pressure. Falling exports around 1800 led the family to diversify into malt production, mineral water and related distribution activities. By the beginning of the twentieth century, output had declined sharply and advisers recommended closure. James Smithwick instead narrowed the beer range and pursued new customers, including military contracts. His strategy restored growth. Walter Smithwick, who assumed control in 1930, guided the brewery through the economic and logistical difficulties surrounding the Second World War and later developed overseas trade; by 1950, Smithwick's ale was being exported to Boston. Guinness acquired the brewery from Walter Smithwick in 1965. Smithwick's subsequently became part of the wider Guinness business and, following corporate consolidation, Diageo. Guinness and Smithwick's developed Smithwick's Draught Ale, launched in 1966. The draught product became the brand's best-known modern expression, combining an Irish red ale profile with a distinctive red-amber appearance. Annual sales reportedly reached approximately half a million barrels by 1979, although detailed financial and volume data are not otherwise included here. Export development continued, including entry into France in 1980 and strong positioning in Canada, where Smithwick's Draught was described as the leading imported ale in 1993. The brand's production footprint changed over time. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, beer associated with Smithwick's was brewed at sites including Kilkenny and Dundalk, with packaging and kegging arrangements involving Dublin and Belfast. Brewing at the historic Kilkenny brewery ended on 31 December 2013, and production of Smithwick's and Kilkenny-branded beers moved to Diageo's St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin. Part of the former Kilkenny site was later adapted into Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny, a visitor attraction explaining the brewery's history and local heritage. Smithwick's product development has included Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale, created for international markets where the Smithwick's name was considered difficult to pronounce, and Smithwick's Pale Ale, introduced in 2011. In the United States, Diageo began distributing Smithwick's in 2004. The brand remains associated with Irish brewing heritage, red ale, draught service and Diageo's Guinness-led beer portfolio. Its identity combines a long-running Kilkenny origin story with contemporary production in Dublin and international distribution.
History
Smithwick's traces its origins to 1710, when John Smithwick established a brewery in Kilkenny on land associated with a former Franciscan abbey. Brewing had reportedly taken place at the site since the fourteenth century, and remnants of the abbey remained part of the brewery grounds. John Smithwick had settled in Kilkenny as an orphan and entered the brewing business with Richard Cole before becoming proprietor of the land and brewery. The early enterprise served a largely local market. After John Smithwick's death, the brewery temporarily fell outside direct family control, but his great-grandson Edmond Smithwick later recovered the property and pursued a more ambitious commercial strategy. Edmond developed export sales in England, Scotland and Wales, where demand for the brewery's ales helped increase production several times over. He was also active in Kilkenny civic and religious life, including support for St Mary's Cathedral. The business encountered difficulty around 1800 as exports declined and the brewing sector weakened. The Smithwick family responded by expanding maltings, selling mineral water and using its distribution network for products such as butter. By 1900, however, brewery output had reached a low point. James Smithwick rejected advice to close, reduced the range of beers and sought new markets, including military supply contracts. These measures restored the business. His son Walter Smithwick took control in 1930 and maintained the brewery through wartime disruption and difficult operating conditions. International trade resumed and expanded; by January 1950, Smithwick's was being exported to Boston. In 1965 Guinness acquired the brewery from Walter Smithwick. The brand thereby moved from family ownership into the Guinness corporate system and ultimately into Diageo's global beverage portfolio. Smithwick's Draught Ale was developed and launched jointly by Guinness and Smithwick's in 1966. It became the principal contemporary expression of the brand, and by 1979 reported annual sales had reached roughly half a million barrels. International expansion continued, including exports to France from 1980 and substantial presence in Canada. In the United States, Diageo began distribution in 2004. Smithwick's also broadened its range. Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale was marketed as a related beer with a creamy head and a stronger, more bitter profile. The Kilkenny name was initially used in the 1980s and 1990s for a stronger version of Smithwick's in European and Canadian markets, partly because the Smithwick's name was considered difficult for some consumers to pronounce. Smithwick's Pale Ale followed in 2011, using pale ale malt, the brand's yeast and Amarillo hops. Production arrangements changed in the early twenty-first century. Beer was brewed at more than one Irish location, while kegging and packaging were handled through other facilities. The Kilkenny brewery stopped production at the end of 2013, and Smithwick's production moved to St. James's Gate in Dublin. The former brewery site was subsequently sold to Kilkenny County Council, with part of it developed as Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny, a visitor center dedicated to the brewery's history. Smithwick's remains an active Diageo-owned Irish beer brand.
- 2013
Kilkenny brewing ended
[1]The historic brewery ceased production on 31 December, with brewing moved to Dublin.
- 2011
Smithwick's Pale Ale launched
[1]A pale ale using Amarillo hops and the brand's traditional yeast was introduced.
- 2004
United States distribution began
[1]Diageo began distributing Smithwick's in the United States.
- 1993
Leading imported ale in Canada
[1]Smithwick's Draught was described as Canada's leading imported ale.
- 1980
French export market opened
[1]Smithwick's began exporting to France.
- 1979
Reported annual sales reached approximately half a million barrels
[1]The brand reached a reported annual sales level of about half a million barrels.
- 1966
Smithwick's Draught Ale launched
[1]The brand's signature draught ale was developed with Guinness and introduced.
- 1965
Acquisition by Guinness
[1]Guinness purchased the brewery from Walter Smithwick.
- 1710
Smithwick's brewery founded in Kilkenny
[1]John Smithwick established the brewery on a site with earlier Franciscan brewing associations.
Products and positioning
An Irish heritage beer brand centered on red ale, traditional brewing associations, draught presentation and international accessibility.
Irish red ale · 1966
Smithwick's Draught
Smithwick's Draught is the brand's best-known beer. It is an Irish red ale with a red-amber tone, a malt-centered character and hop bitterness. The product was developed and launched in 1966 through collaboration between Smithwick's and Guinness. It became central to the brand's draught and international identity and has been distributed in markets including Ireland, Canada and the United States.
Cream ale
Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale
Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale is a related Irish beer with a creamy head and a profile described as stronger and more bitter than Smithwick's Draught. The Kilkenny name was used in European and Canadian markets during the 1980s and 1990s for a stronger version associated with Smithwick's, partly to make the brand easier to pronounce internationally. It later developed into a distinct but closely related beer identity.
Pale ale · 2011
Smithwick's Pale Ale
Smithwick's Pale Ale was introduced as a lighter-colored extension of the brand's ale range. It uses pale ale malt, traditional Smithwick's yeast and Amarillo hops, with a stated alcohol content of 4.5% ABV. The product extends the brand beyond its traditional red ale while retaining a direct brewing connection to Smithwick's heritage.
Brand decisions
2013
Transfer of production from Kilkenny to DublinStrategyBackground
Diageo ended brewing at the historic Kilkenny facility after centuries of local production.
Action taken
Production of Smithwick's and Kilkenny-branded beers was moved to the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin.
Aftermath
The Kilkenny site ceased to function as a production brewery, while part of the former premises was converted into Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny.
1966
Launch of Smithwick's Draught AleProduct launchBackground
Following the Guinness acquisition, the businesses developed a contemporary draught expression for the Smithwick's portfolio.
Action taken
Smithwick's Draught Ale was introduced through collaboration between Guinness and Smithwick's.
Aftermath
The draught product became the brand's principal flagship offering and supported later international growth.
1965
Guinness acquisition of Smithwick'sM&ABackground
The family brewery was transferred from Walter Smithwick to Guinness after more than two centuries of Smithwick family association.
Action taken
Guinness acquired the brewery and incorporated Smithwick's into its beer business.
Aftermath
Smithwick's later became part of Diageo alongside Guinness, while the brand continued under its established name.
Recent events
- 2013
Kilkenny brewery ceased brewing operations[1]
Other
Brewing at the historic Kilkenny site ended on 31 December 2013, with production transferred to Diageo's St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin.
- 2011
Smithwick's Pale Ale introduced[1]
Product launch
Smithwick's introduced a pale ale made with pale ale malt, the brand's traditional yeast and Amarillo hops.
- 2004
Smithwick's Draught distributed in the United States[1]
Other
Diageo began distributing Smithwick's in the United States.
- 1980
Smithwick's expanded exports to France[1]
Other
The brand began exporting to France as part of its international market development.
- 1966
Smithwick's Draught Ale launched[1]
Product launch
Guinness and Smithwick's introduced Smithwick's Draught Ale, which became the brand's signature modern product.
- 1965
Guinness acquired Smithwick's brewery[1]
M&A
Guinness purchased the Smithwick family brewery from Walter Smithwick, beginning the brand's integration into the business that later became part of Diageo.
Sources1 sources
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