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Where is Smithwick's brewed?

By Mark Porter Last checked 6 September 2026 How we check

Genuine import

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.

3.8%
UK
2.2 units a pint
3.8%
Ireland
2.2 units a pint
The UK version matches the strength sold in Ireland.

Every beer on the shelf by strength · How the units are worked out

Brewed for the UK in
Imported from Ireland
Imported
Sold as a beer from
Ireland
Kilkenny heritage since 1710, Irish red ale positioning
Brewed in (country)
Ireland
Brand owner
Diageo plc
HQ: United Kingdom
UK strength
3.8%
2.2 units a pint
Strength at home (Ireland)
3.8%
2.2 units a pint. 3.8% on the Morrisons UK listing and 3.8% on SuperValu's Irish listing, read 6 September 2026, so the same strength in both markets.
What the UK label says
“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: groceries.morrisons.com
More about the brand: rights, style, when it was created, where it is brewed at home
UK rights held by
Diageo Great Britain Ltd (owned)
Style
Irish red ale
Brand created
1710, Ireland
Brewed at home in
Newbridge, Co Kildare

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.

Who has brewed it here

YearsBrewerSiteSource
1710 to 2013Smithwick's / Guinness / DiageoKilkenny, Irelandirishtimes.com
2013 to 2026Diageo IrelandSt James's Gate, Dublinirishtimes.com
2026 to nowDiageo IrelandLittleconnell, Newbridge, Co Kildareirishtimes.com

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

Caffrey's Irish Ale
Tadcaster · 3.8% · sold as Irish
Brewed here
Guinness 0.0
Imported from Ireland · 0.0% · sold as Irish
Guinness Draught
Imported from Ireland · 4.1% · sold as Irish
Guinness Extra Stout
Imported from Ireland · 4.2% · sold as Irish
Genuine import
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
Imported from Nigeria · 7.5% · sold as Irish
Harp Lager
Imported from Ireland · sold as Irish

Every beer sold as Ireland · Every brand owned by Diageo plc

Last checked 6 September 2026. How we check.

Sources

  1. The Irish Times (irishtimes.com), 11 May 2026: Smithwick's now brewed at the new Kildare brewery
  2. Irish Examiner (irishexaminer.com), 1 January 2024: Diageo likely to keep Smithwick's and Harp for the time being
  3. 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.
  4. 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.'

Spotted an error?Tell us what the pack says and we will check it. mark@pretendpint.com