Kilkenny is a

nitrogen Nitrogen is the chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. Nitrogen is a nonmetal and the lightest member of group 15 of the periodic table, often called the pnictogens. It is a common element in the universe, estimated at se ...

ated Irish cream ale from the makers of Guinness, which originated in Kilkenny,

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. The brand is managed and produced by Diageo. It is available in draught, bottles and cans. It is 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 Malt is germinated cereal grain that has been dried in a process known as "malting". The grain is made to germinate by soaking in water and is then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air. Malted grain is used to make beer, whi ...

, roasted malted barley, hops, and

yeast Yeasts are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms classified as members of the fungus kingdom. The first yeast originated hundreds of millions of years ago, and at least 1,500 species are currently recognized. They are estimated to constit ...

. While Ireland is the primary market for Kilkenny, Australia and Canada are the two largest importers of Kilkenny.

Availability in Australia and New Zealand

Kilkenny is available on tap in many Australian and New Zealand bars and pubs, where it is served, as with locally brewed draught Guinness, on a mixture of 70% nitrogen and 30% carbon dioxide through a special tap to render a creamy head. It is available in 440ml cans from some bottle stores.

Widespread popularity in Canada

Kilkenny has become a favourite of Canadians, especially in Montreal's Irish pubs, and the

LCBO The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is a Crown corporation that retails and distributes alcoholic beverages throughout the Canadian province of Ontario. It is accountable to the Legislative Assembly through the minister of finance. It wa ...

has also seen a huge increase in sales since July 2013. Kilkenny grew in popularity after high-profile Canadian stars were seen drinking it around the city - Mike Myers, Drake and Robert Gates have all been photographed with a Kilkenny in hand, likely contributing to its recent spike in popularity.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kilkenny (Beer) 1710 establishments in Ireland Beer in Ireland Diageo beer brands Irish brands