Something I’ve been meaning to post for quite some time is a list of beers readily available here in Galway, Ireland. There is certainly no shortage of public houses (pubs) off licences (liquor stores) in Ireland, and Galway is no exception.

One of my favorite pubs is The King’s Head, est. 1649. The atmosphere is great in this restored medieval home with a coal and peat burning fireplace downstairs inscribed with the date, 1612 as well as exposed stone walls and medieval artifacts which lend to this pub’s distinct feel. The live music is always a treat and is on almost every night when there is not a football or Gaelic games match on. Of course the Guinness is always grand (great, for you Americans) and the Heineken draft makes one wonder why they even call it Heineken in the States. It is smooth and creamy, not ’skunky’ like many of my friends would say. Other options are Budweiser, Coors and Miller Genuine Draft, the latter being the only one I can tolerate. Finally, The King’s Head offers Murphy’s Irish Stout (second class citizen to Guinness), Carlsberg (Danish lager, a nice break from the famous stout), and Smithwick’s (pronounced without the ‘w’) which is loads better than that copycat Killian’s Irish Red, once described to me as Coors with food coloring.

It has been my experience that these options are pretty standard fare in most Irish pubs. One may expect to find the occasional bottle of Corona (new to Ireland in the past few years as I understand, woo hoo!) or trendy drinks such as WKD or Smirnoff Ice (nasty). The King’s Head is highly recommended by this author, though there are many other pubs in Galway well worth asking for “pionta Guinness led thoil” (a pint ‘a Guinness, please) such as Tigh Neachtain (pr. tee knockton’s, Naughton’s Pub) or Tigh Coili. I would be amiss if I failed to mention, Roisin Dubh, Galway’s, and perhaps Ireland’s, top venue for live music. Check out their site for some of the acts coming up.

This brings us to the off licence. I have to admit, I occasionally miss American microbrews such as Red Hook and anything from New Belgium Brewery but never fear, the local off licence usually offers a wide selection of world beers. My favorite off licence is Harvest, with several locations in Galway. They offer the standard Irish brews that you would expect, along with a few surprises. The first time I visited Harvest, I was aghast to see Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. They also have on offer a few from Samuel Adams and Goose Island Honker’s Ale. As we turn our focus to the old world, you’ll find Chimay, Newcastle, Tenents, Tuborg and a number of smaller English and Belgian ales too numerous to list.

I trust some will find this post useful upon venturing to Galway. Just keep a few things in mind when going for a pint: Remove your hat when you enter the pub, always say ‘please’ when ordering and ‘cheers’ when you receive it, be patient for the Guinness, “it takes 119.5 seconds to pour the perfect pint,” and above all, enjoy the craic. Slainte!

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