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CAMRA has compiled a list of 12 stouts produced by some of the best independent brewers Ireland has to offer to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
These stouts can be found in cask, keg, can or bottle, and will certainly go down a treat this St Patrick’s Day!
From catching the gingerbread man to a family run history-inspired brewery, read on to find your next favourite Irish stout. Sláinte!
Brehon Brewhouse, County Monaghan – Ulster Black (5%)
Opened in 2014, this brewery was inspired by the history of its landscape and was founded by dairy farmer Seamus McMahon who wanted to diversify his homestead.
With a toasted malt aroma and dark chocolate and coffee flavours, Ulster Black is filled with light detailing of bitter hops. Pair this full-bodied stout with red or smoked meat and heavy stews.
Available in can, bottle, and keg, produced by a history-focused brewery, pair this drink with St Patrick’s Day to learn even more about Ireland.
Bullhouse Brew Co, Belfast – Flat Black Coffee Stout (Bailies Collab) (5.6%)
Inspired by great tasting beer on a road trip around the west-coast of the US, Bullhouse opened in 2011 after homebrewing on a farm outside of Belfast for four years and is now a firm favourite in East Belfast.
In collaboration with Bailies Coffee Roasters, their expertly roasted Salvadorian La Guachaca beans infuse this beer with intense aromas of dark chocolate, dried mango and hazelnut. A full-bodied stout with a velvety mouthfeel and lingering coffee finish.
Available in can and keg, this collaboratively brewed beer is not one to miss this St Patrick’s Day.
Whitewater Brewery, Castlewellan, County Down – Belfast Black (4.2%)
Established in 1996 on a fifth-generation family farm amidst the spectacular Mourne Mountain range in the north of Ireland, Whitewater is now the biggest independent brewery in Ireland.
Belfast Black is made with roasted barley, rolled oats, chocolate and black malts combined to produce this traditional Irish stout, balanced perfectly with a gentle coffee aroma and rich hop flavours.
Available in bottle, cask and keg, the choice is yours this St Patrick’s Day.
Heaney Brewery, County Derry~Londonderry – Can't Catch Me Gingerbread Stout (6%)
Founded in 2014, this brewery is based on a family farm where there has been generations of harvest and inspiration.
Can’t Catch Me is a fourth version of Heaney Brewery’s Gingerbread Stout. Brewed with fresh ginger and cinnamon, this stout has an indulgent biscuit body with layers of caramel that brings a sweet finish.
Available in can and keg, catch the Gingerbread Stout at the pub today!
Lacada Brewery, Portrush, County Antrim – Utopian Stout (8%)
A community owned co-operative brewery based on the world-famous north coast of Ireland.
Their Utopian Stout is an award-winning full bodied, medium dry stout with a silky mouthfeel, complimented with a warm roasted malt aroma and dark chocolate and coffee notes.
Available in bottle, cask and keg, and promises to take you to Utopia, be sure to find what’s available in your local pub venues.
Our Brewery, Randalstown, County Antrim – Once in a Lifetime (5%)
Opened in 2022, Our Brewery specialises in fermentation projects, exploring historical techniques with modern equipment to create unique beers for consumers.
Described as silky smooth with complex flavours of coffee, dark fruits, burnt caramel and toffee, this stout has a sensory-rich mouthfeel with roasted malts balancing the smoothness of oats to bring a depth of flavour.
Available in can and keg, ask your local pub if they will be serving this Once in a Lifetime stout on St Patrick’s Day!
Rough Brothers, Derry~Londonderry – Oatmeal Stout 5.5%
Established in 2018, this small batch brewery incorporates microbrewery equipment and technology to offer a range of bespoke beers.
Filled with bold flavours of dark chocolate, liquorice and black coffee, this stout has added oatmeal for extra body. Brewed with seven different types of malt and oatmeal, why not pair this full flavoured stout with a Sunday roast?
Available in cask, keg and bottle, there’s enough to go around this St Patrick’s Day.
Mourne Mountains, Warrenpoint, County Down – Spectre (4.1%)
Founded in 2015 in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, the brewery produces a diverse range of beers and uses the finest whole leaf hops from around the world.
This dry dark brew has a roasted barley, espresso and dark chocolate aroma with a perfectly balanced roasted bitterness and smooth dry finish.
Available in cask, keg and bottle, unravel the mystery inspired theme of Spectre and discover some brilliant flavours.
McCrackens Brewery, Portadown, County Armagh – Black (4.5%)
Established in 2018 with two beers and a dream, this award-winning brewery produces unfiltered and naturally conditioned beers and has recently expanded their team and beer range.
This award-winning Black Irish stout is full-bodied and robust in flavour, complimented by extra Nugget and East Kent Golding hops. A combination of kilned malted barley and oats gives this stout its jet-black colour and smooth mouthfeel.
Available in can, grab yours and contribute to this brewer’s dream.
Boundary Brewing, Belfast – Gift Imperial Stout (8.8%)
This co-operative brewery was founded in 2014 that is shaped and run by its own members to produce beers inspired by Belgian and US beers and styles.
This luxurious and complex imperial stout is built on a robust malt foundation of Heidelberg Pilsner, Munich, flaked and malted oats, and a blend of chocolate malts. Rich layers of flavour include dark chocolate, roasted coffee and caramelised sweetness.
Available in keg and can, St Patrick’s Day promises to be a sweet day.
Walled City, Derry~Londonderry – 1689 (9%)
Walled City’s brewery was founded in 2015 and opened Derry's first ever taproom in 2022 with 15 different beer taps – the largest offering in the city!
This imperial stout is based on a recipe found in a 17th Century diary entry from the Siege of Derry. Exclusively available in the Walled City Taproom, it was claimed to cure “Toothache, Heartache and Scurvy”.
Available in keg at the Walled City Taproom, St Patrick’s Day is the perfect celebration to try some historic beer.
Kinnegar Brewery, Letterkenny, County Donegal – Winterland (5.3%)
In 2013 Kinnegar Brewery opened in north east Donegal, but after rapid growth and success, the team expanded and relocated to a larger production facility near Letterkenny in 2017.
This seasonal special has a deep, rich and exotic ability to light up cold, dark nights. Filled with deep roasted malt flavours, smooth cocoa richness, and a subtle salted finish that lingers on the palate.
Available in can, when the dark night draws in on St Patrick’s Day, Winterland is the stout for you.
To find even more brews to try this St Patrick’s Day, check out CAMRA NI member and Quare Swally blogger’s guide ‘There’s more to Irish stout than just Guinness’ on Facebook.
