Smithwick's's Slogans & Taglines

Smithwick's is an Irish red ale-style beer born from centuries of monastic tradition and family perseverance. Founded in 1710 by John Smithwick on the ruins of St. Francis Abbey in Kilkenny—where Franciscan monks had brewed since the 13th century—the brand was shaped by nine generations of the Smithwick family. Through penal laws, famine, and floods, the family guarded their secret brewing process, expanding from local draught sales to national acclaim. In 1937, Smithwick's No.1 won first prize at the London Bottled Beer Competition, cementing its reputation. Acquired by Guinness in 1965 and now part of Diageo, it remains Ireland's most popular ale. With its distinctive ruby-red colour and balanced malt-hop profile, Smithwick's continues to honour its Kilkenny roots, proving that heritage and resilience brew the most enduring pints.