Your Guide to the Best Craft Beer Pubs in Dublin

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

The Irish love their beer and are famous for it. In fact, the entire country is in the middle of a craft beer revolution! At the moment, there are over 40 craft breweries in Ireland. If you are a fan of craft beer and you’d like to sample the best lager Ireland has to offer, here are our top recommendations:

Porterhouse Brewing Company

Porterhouse Brewing Company is the first brewpub in Ireland. The company opened in the mid-90s, developing an impressive selection of craft beers. Today, Porterhouse Brewing Company has six branches in the country and beyond, serving up tasty stouts and draft beers in London and NYC. Porterhouse Brewing Company prides itself for its fine stouts, which are some of the best in the country. The brewpub also offers seasonal beers like chocolate truffle stout, hemp beer, and Kölsch!

Trouble Brewing

We love Trouble Brewing for its quirky name and an impressive selection of brews. Paul O’Connor and Stephen Clinch founded the brewery on St. Patrick’s Day in 2010 and there was no looking back ever since. The brewery is best known for its rich, robust beers, cartoonish labels, and seasonal ales. Go to Trouble Brewing and try the Spelt Saison, Trouble Brewing Galaxy pale ale, and Dark Arts porter. We also recommend the Graffiti, English Porter, and the English IPA!

Brown Paper Bag Project

Brown Paper Bag Project is founded by a group of gypsy brewers. These brewers do not have their own brewery or those who do not rent out other breweries’ equipment. Brown Paper Bag Project is known best for its delicious IPAS, Pilsners, and ales. These crafted beers are painstakingly made the old fashioned way and are as homemade as they come! If you are a true blue fan of artisanal brews, this is a great place to start!

Black Sheep Brewery

Paul Theakston, the managing director of Theakstons brewery, founded Black Sheep in 1991. As a veteran brewer, Paul developed his own blend of brews. Inside the Black Sheep is a spacious drinking area and comfy seating. Specialties of Black Sheep include the Best Bitter, Riggwelter, Golden Sheep and the house special, Black Sheep Ale. We are also great fans of their Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale and Imperial Russian! The brewpub offers more than just great drinks. Each night, the pub hosts various events, inviting local musicians and comedians to entertain guests.

Galway Bay Brewing Company

Galway Bay Brewing Company is one of the largest breweries in Ireland. The brewery was founded by a group of beer connoisseurs that seek the perfect brew. The founders of Galway Bay Brewing Company utilize age-old brewing techniques to create an impressive selection of craft beers. We are huge fans of Stormy Port, Buried at Sea, and Full Sail. We also love the house special Bay ale, and the limited edition ales!

Against the Grain

Against the Grain was the first brewpub opened by the Cottage Group in Dublin. The brewery is poplar for its rare and special brews, most of which are unique only at Against the Grain. The pub literally tries to go against the grain by coming up with craft beers and ales that you cannot find in all of Dublin. Apart from the craft beer, the pub also hosts a monthly quiz called “Against the Brain.” If you want to get more from the experience, call the pub for the quiz schedule and work your schedule around the event so you can join in on the fun!