Where is Smithwick's brewed?
By Mark Porter Last checked 6 September 2026 How we check
Smithwick's is genuinely imported from Ireland, at the same strength as at home.
Listed by Morrisons when last checked. The product pages are among the sources below.
Every beer on the shelf by strength · How the units are worked out
More about the brand: rights, style, when it was created, where it is brewed at home
In short
Smithwick's is the real thing on origin: the beer in UK shops is brewed at Newbridge, Co Kildare in Ireland. It is also the same strength as at home, 3.8%. The brand belongs to Diageo plc.
This page is about the packs sold in supermarkets. Draught in pubs can come from a different brewery, and this page does not cover it unless a format table says so.
Who has brewed it here
| Years | Brewer | Site | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1710 to 2013 | Smithwick's / Guinness / Diageo | Kilkenny, Ireland | irishtimes.com |
| 2013 to 2026 | Diageo Ireland | St James's Gate, Dublin | irishtimes.com |
| 2026 to now | Diageo Ireland | Littleconnell, Newbridge, Co Kildare | irishtimes.com |
What changed
- 6 September 2026: home-market strength was not established, now 3.8% (source)
- 5 September 2026: recommendation was not established, now genuine import (source)
- 5 September 2026: verification level was partly verified, now verified (source)
- 5 September 2026: strength note were rewritten (source)
- 5 September 2026: pack wording source was not established, now "https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/smithwicks-red-ale/113865094" (source)
- 5 September 2026: pack wording was not established, now "Harvested from our land, seasoned by our history, Smithwick's has been brewed with passion here in Ireland since 1710. Diageo Ireland, St James Gate, Dublin 8. Diageo Northern Ireland Ltd, Capital House, 3 Upper Queen Street, Belfast, BT1 6FB." (source)
- 5 September 2026: UK strength was not established, now 3.8% (source)
Questions people ask
Where is Smithwick's brewed?
The UK product is imported. It is brewed at Newbridge, Co Kildare in Ireland.
Is Smithwick's brewed in the UK?
No. The UK product is brewed in Ireland.
Is Smithwick's really Irish?
Yes, on origin: the UK product is brewed in Ireland.
Who owns Smithwick's?
Smithwick's is owned by Diageo plc, headquartered in the United Kingdom. In the UK the brand is handled by Diageo Great Britain Ltd.
What strength is Smithwick's in the UK?
Smithwick's is 3.8% ABV in the UK. In Ireland it is 3.8%. A UK pint is 2.2 units.
Is Smithwick's weaker in the UK than in Ireland?
No. It is 3.8% in both the UK and Ireland.
See also
Every beer sold as Ireland · Every brand owned by Diageo plc
Sources
- The Irish Times (irishtimes.com), 11 May 2026: Smithwick's now brewed at the new Kildare brewery
- Irish Examiner (irishexaminer.com), 1 January 2024: Diageo likely to keep Smithwick's and Harp for the time being
- Morrisons (groceries.morrisons.com), 5 September 2026: UK pack: 3.8% ABV, brewed in Ireland, Diageo Ireland St James Gate address. Read in a parallel verification pass; the retailer pages could not be fetched from this machine.
- SuperValu (Ireland) (shop.supervalu.ie), 6 September 2026: Smithwick's Can 4 x 500ml on an Irish retailer's page: '3.8% ABV' in the description; the alcohol table shows '3' beside 0.038 units, a truncated 3.8; 'Diageo Ireland, St. James' Gate, Dublin 8.'
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