Kilkenny is a nitrogenated Irish cream ale from the makers of Guinness, which originated in Kilkenny, Ireland.
The brand is managed and produced by Diageo, and brewed in Ireland.
Kilkenny is similar to Smithwick’s Draught; however, it has less hop finish, and it has a nitrogenated cream head similar to Guinness. The ‘Kilkenny’ name was originally used during the 1980s and 1990s to market a stronger version of Smithwick’s for the European and Canadian markets due to difficulty in pronunciation of the word ‘Smithwick’s’. It now refers to a similar yet distinct beer.
Kilkenny was brewed in St. Francis Abbey Brewery in Kilkenny, which was the oldest operating brewery in Ireland until its closure in 2013. It is now brewed at St. James’s Gate brewery, Dublin. It is served in similar manner to Guinness; fully risen with a head of ¾ to 1″ approx. The ingredients are water, malted barley, roasted malted barley, hops, and yeast.