SMITHWICK’S ST FRANCIS ABBEY BREWERY TOUR
The Red Abbey Ale of Kilkenny
Smithwick’s
Premium Irish Ale celebrated 300 years in 2010, from its historic St
Francis Abbey Brewery facility in Kilkenny, brewing ale since
1710. John Smithwick (pronounced Smith’ick) was a young man orphaned
by the Irish Rebellion in 1641, when he moved to Kilkenny to start a new
life for himself. As a Catholic, he was forbidden to own property, but
went into
the brewing business with Richard Cole. 
In
1705, they leased some property from the Duke of Ormonde, the site of a
Franciscan abbey ruin near the Nore
River. The abbey monks had brewed ale at the monastery with water from
the Friar’s well since the 12th Century, but with the dissolution
of the monasteries under Henry VIII in 1537, the abbey had been long abandoned.
The brewery business caught on and in 1710, John Smithwick became the owner,
though in secret as he still couldn’t put his name on it.
It
wasn’t until the grandson, Edmond Smithwick, bought the brewery
from freehold in 1827 that the family name could be attached to the popular
local ale produced at the St Francis Abbey Brewery. Edmond was a great
supporter of Catholic causes and contributed to the building of Kilkenny’s
St. Mary’s Cathedral, which can be seen from the yard of the
brewery. The family brewing business survived competitors, the Irish
potato famine, floods
and wars until tough times almost sank the company. In 1964, rival Guinness & Co.,
bought a controlling interest, but the Smithwick name remains on the distinctive
traditional award winning crisp Irish red ale.
Brewery Tour
A
guided tour of the St Francis Abbey Brewery in the heart of old town
Kilkenny, a short walk from the castle (see Kilkenny
Castle), takes
visitors through the working brewery.
Beginning in the old original building now used for displays of the family
brewing history, with photos and illustrations, and exhibits of the brewing
and ale making process, the tour then heads into the back of the facility,
a modern high tech brewing plant, next to the ancient abbey ruins, which
still inspires the workers with its 800 year old brewing heritage. A
chapel has been built connected to the evocative stones of the old
abbey ruin,
with a tasting room for special events.
The
tour ends back at the brewery’s Cellar Bar for an included pint
of Smithwick’s Ale, under the low arched brick ceiling where barrels
of fermenting ale were once stored. The correct way to pour the perfect
pint of Smithwick’s will be demonstrated, a rather detailed process,
to produce the proper smooth head. Four tours a day are offered from Tuesday
to Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday) in the afternoons at 12.30pm, 1:00pm
2:15pm and 2:30. Tour cost is €10 including the tasting in the bar. © Bargain
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Smithwick's
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SEE ALSO:
JERPOINT GLASS STUDIO - KILKENNY CRAFT TRAIL
JERPOINT
ABBEY MONASTERY
DRIVING
IRELAND'S SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE
TULLAMORE DEW WHISKEY HERITAGE CENTER
