Kilkenny Ale -- Guinness Brewery (Dublin, Ireland)
This creamy, nitrogenated cousin of Smithwick's is available only in Europe and only on tap, which is a total shame. I first tasted (and loved) it in Ireland about 3 years ago but was pleasantly reacquainted while in Helsinki a few months back.
Characteristics: Reddish-brown color topped by a rich nitrogenated head with that classic rising effect as poured; light to medium body; low carbonation; malty, slightly toasted/biscuity flavors dominate with a slight Fuggles hoppy bite in the finish to keep it from getting too sweet.
Minor Gripes: Lack of availability in the US, and variability in the hoppiness (though not as much as Smithwick's, which sometimes presents as a fecking competitor to Sierra Nevada).
Bottom Line: For now, Kilkenny's is a lovely bonus for Americans making it over to Europe. I think it could do well stateside in the widget cans, but I also trust that Diageo has done its market research. Given a choice, I will always take Kilkenny over Smithwick's -- the smoothness of the nitro-pour really does make a difference in the flavor and drinkability. I'd also take Kilkenny over Boddington's, as the latter seems to have hardly any taste of late.
Rating: 7.25 / 10
Characteristics: Reddish-brown color topped by a rich nitrogenated head with that classic rising effect as poured; light to medium body; low carbonation; malty, slightly toasted/biscuity flavors dominate with a slight Fuggles hoppy bite in the finish to keep it from getting too sweet.
Minor Gripes: Lack of availability in the US, and variability in the hoppiness (though not as much as Smithwick's, which sometimes presents as a fecking competitor to Sierra Nevada).
Bottom Line: For now, Kilkenny's is a lovely bonus for Americans making it over to Europe. I think it could do well stateside in the widget cans, but I also trust that Diageo has done its market research. Given a choice, I will always take Kilkenny over Smithwick's -- the smoothness of the nitro-pour really does make a difference in the flavor and drinkability. I'd also take Kilkenny over Boddington's, as the latter seems to have hardly any taste of late.
Rating: 7.25 / 10
Categories:
Ale
It has been possible to buy Kilkenny on bottles and cans for at least 12 years in Denmark.
Thanks for the update. I've never been to Denmark and frankly haven't spent much time in package / grocery / convenience stores on my limited time in Europe.