John Smithwick is the famous founder of Kilkenny-based Smithwick’s Brewery. A man of the 18th century, he was, along with Arthur Guinness, one of Ireland’s most influential brewers! A national success, its beers are now exported all over the world!
A Smithwick’s – Jessie Hodge – cc
John Smithwick’s success story began in 1710, when the entrepreneur decided to acquire the ruins of an ancient 13th-century abbey based in Kilkenny, known as “St Francis Abbey”. Aware of the site’s cachet, he decided not to demolish the abbey, but to use it as a brewing site for his future beer.
After many attempts, he finally perfected the recipe for Smithwick’s, a light, red ale destined to be served in most of the country’s pubs. Success soon followed, and the brewery eventually expanded into a veritable industrial machine.
After a few years of production, Smithwick’s (pronounced Smit-icks) established itself as a quality brewery, capable of producing thousands of casks of beer for delivery throughout Ireland. A success that later convinced the famous Arthur Guinness to set up his own brewery within the walls of Dublin!
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