Top 5 Irish Beers …

… for St. Patrick’s day and hangover the day after.

Porterhouse Brewing Company is the Ireland’s largest independent brewery. Once housed in a single Dublin pub, now operates in different cities like New York and London. Porterhouse makes a varied range of stouts, ales, lagers and its popular oyster stout. Its brewery belongs to the places which everybody should visit while being in Dublin.

Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale is known for its smooth finish and Guinness-like head. The amber brew is less hoppy than most Irish red ales, and has the rich aroma and flavor of toasted malt. It’s at once sweet and creamy, sometimes more bitter, and is available in draught (nitrogen-infused) and canned forms. They sell it all around the world.

Smithwick’s has been crafting its own rendition since 1710, although the original brewery dates back as far as the 14th century. Built on the grounds of a former Franciscan abbey, it was once home to a group of beer-brewing monks. Today, Smithwick’s has grown to become the top ale producers in Ireland. It is characterized by caramel maltiness and a hint of hops.

Think about tasty beer topped with a double shot of espresso and finished with a one-inch thick head of caramel-infused creamy goodness. Since Heineken acquired the company in 1983, Murphy’s has become one of the fastest growing stout brands in the world. Have a Guinness for dinner, but save this one for dessert.

Ask your bartender for a “perfect pint,” an optimal pouring method which, according to the company, should take 119.53 seconds. Can’t wait that long? Just think of how happy you’ll be when that white cloud forms at the top of your glass.

After these five beers you should feel much better and forget about credits, politicians and crowded Dublin streets.