The Final Draft > Best Food Pairings with Smithwick's Kilkenny

How and where to pair food with Smithwick's Pale Ale in Kilkenny

Smithwick's Pale Ale is an award-winning golden ale, inspired by old brewery recipes and adapted for modern brewing by Brewing team. It's a malt beer with a light, fruity, grassy flavour, and the aromatic Amarillo hops it's brewed with lend the brew a lovely depth and fullness of flavour that makes it a wonderful drink to pair with food.

And if you enjoy food pairing with your drinks, Kilkenny is a fantastic place to do it. Kilkenny is known for its thriving dining scene, with everything from casual bites to fine dining available throughout the city centre, and across the county too. You'll find lots of opportunity to savour beautifully cooked Irish ingredients, and what better way to enjoy them than paired with a zesty pale ale? If this sounds good, keep reading for our list of four fabulous Smithwick's Pale Ale food pairings, and where to try them in Kilkenny – a perfect way to refuel after your Kilkenny brewery tour.

Fish & Chips

Where: Matt the Millers

Seafood of all kinds tends to pair well with the gentle citrus bite of our pale ale, and while Kilkenny isn't a coastal country, we're close enough that you can be sure you'll find lots of delicious fresh seafood on menus all over town. One particularly good pairing for our pale ale is good old fish and chips made with fresh cod – the ale cuts through the delicious crispy batter and chips, elevating the taste of the fish beautifully.

For great fish & chips in Kilkenny, Matt the Millers is the spot; a gastropub on the banks of the Nore that has a magnificent view of the castle on the other side of the river, and a great menu too. One of the biggest crowd pleasers here is the fish and chips, cooked perfectly with fresh, delicate cod – perfectly paired with a citrussy pale ale.

Roast Chicken

Where: Petronella

The subtle malty sweetness and the light touch of fruit in Smithwick's Pale Ale make it a wonderful complement for roasted or grilled meats. Chicken, in particular, is set off well by its fresh tang. Petronella is a beautiful neighbourhood eatery on the charming mediaeval Butter Slip Lane, where you will find exceptionally well-cooked chicken on the menu. Beautiful, simple flavour pairings bring out the meat's flavour, and are the ideal balance for tasting alongside the gently tart simplicity of our pale ale,

The menu changes here from time to time, but if you get the chance to sample a pork belly starter at Petronella, order some! It's another fabulous food to enjoy a pale ale with, the sweet fruitiness of the ale providing a lovely contrast to the fatty meat.

Irish Stew

Where: Kyteler's Inn

Kyteler's is one of the busiest and most historic pubs in the city and one of the top attractions in Kilkenny, having once upon a time been owned by the now famous Alice Kyteler, who was accused of being a witch in the 12th Century. It's a cornerstone of Kilkenny culture and history, and a fantastic spot in which to enjoy a hearty bowl of delicious Irish stew along with a pale ale.

Irish stew is one of our most beloved national dishes, the ultimate comfort food for a cosy evening in a lovely pub. The stew here is authentic and made with love and will be offset beautifully by the soft bite of a cold Smithwick's pale ale[AK1.1].

Catch of the day

Where: Rive Gauche

For something a little more upmarket, Rive Gauche is right across the Nore from Matt the Millers, and is one of the most popular restaurants in Kilkenny. Their catch of the day is usually excellent – what you'll get very much depends on what the fishermen caught the night before, but you can guarantee it'll be incredibly fresh and beautifully cooked.

Their menu changes regularly with the seasons, but if you're lucky enough to find their baked camembert on the starter's menu, it's another fabulous dish to accompany with a Smithwick's pale ale. If you want to be sure of getting a table here, we recommend making a reservation in advance.

Thai food

Where: Aroi

Our pale ale's delicate and aromatic balance of hops and malt makes it a great counterpoint to spicy food. If you've never tried it alongside some fragrant, hot Thai food, you're in for a treat. Aroi (meaning ‘delicious' in Thai) is a lovely Asian fusion restaurant in the heart of the city where you'll find a beautifully cooked green or red curry, both of which will be wonderfully accentuated with a cold pale ale[AK2.1].

If you prefer a more Japanese flavour, why not try the salmon teriyaki, which has a sweetness-with-umami flavour that's brought out beautifully by the malty tartness of Smithwick's pale ale.

If you've booked dinner in a different restaurant while you're in Kilkenny, it's easy to find something to pair with a Smithwick's pale ale – just find some fresh seafood, some roasted or grilled meat (fattier cuts will be particularly well complimented), or something fragrant and spicy. For extra tips, why not ask one of the guides at our Kilkenny brewery tour to see if they have any suggestions?