About This Beer
O’Hara’s Red Ale in bottle format stands as a benchmark of the Irish red ale style. At 4.3% ABV, it brings together caramelised malts, roasted notes, and gentle hop character to create a balanced, sessionable beer. Brewed in County Carlow by O’Hara’s, one of Ireland’s leading independent breweries, this Red Ale is celebrated for staying true to its roots while delivering the consistency and quality that modern craft beer fans demand. For anyone browsing craft beer online or in a craft beer shop Dublin, this beer remains a must-try for understanding what authentic Irish brewing has to offer.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Ruby red with a soft off-white head.
Aroma: Caramel, toasted malt, and a touch of earthy hops.
Flavour: Balanced malt sweetness with caramel, biscuit, and light roasted undertones, finished by a gentle hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium-bodied, and easy-drinking with a clean finish.
About the Brewery
O’Hara’s Brewery (Carlow Brewing Company), founded in 1996, is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the Irish craft beer revolution. At a time when the market was dominated by mass-produced lagers, O’Hara’s reintroduced authentic Irish styles such as red ale, stout, and wheat beer, helping to revive a tradition that was fading. Today, their beers are exported worldwide, yet they remain firmly rooted in Carlow, producing craft beer Ireland can be proud of.
Food Pairings
This bottled Red Ale is an exceptionally food-friendly beer. Try it with roast meats, lamb shanks, or shepherd’s pie, where the malty sweetness complements the richness of the dish. It also pairs beautifully with semi-soft cheeses such as gouda or mild cheddar, while desserts like apple crumble or treacle sponge are lifted by the caramel notes in the beer.
If you’d like to explore similar options, check out our Red and Brown Ale collection, which highlights a wide variety of Irish and international interpretations of this classic style.
Browse our Belgian Beer, German Beer, Irish Craft Beer, or Beer Kegs to continue your journey into quality brewing.
Shop the best of craft beer Ireland and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin craft beer store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15