Irish culture is as much about good drinks as it is about the music and dance that typically accompany them. A pint of stout or a tumbler of whiskey are viewed as essential to the Irish sense of 'craic' wherever you go in Ireland. And it is through this sense of good fun, as well as events like St Patrick's Day, that global brands like Guinness and Jameson's have made themselves so famous. But Irish breweries and distilleries aren't only about well-known brands. In addition to a plethora of pubs and bars, most Irish towns include a local or regional brewery and/or distillery, many of which will gladly show you around.

We have put together this guide to show some of the best distilleries and breweries in Kerry.

Distillery

Killarney Distilling

The Killarney Distillery was founded in late 2019 with a philosophy that if it says Killarney on the label, all the water, barley, turf and know-how involved should be from Killarney.

Utilising two 2000 litre copper pot stills, made locally in town, The Killarney Distillery recently filled their first cask of Killarney Whisky. This oak cask from Bordeaux, which previously contained sweet white wine, now contains 200 litres of single malt New Make.

The cask was filled on December 30, 2020, and the distillery has stated that they plan to host a public bottling event on December 30, 2023, when the maturation process has concluded.

Currently, the Killarney Brewing and Distilling Company say they are on track to complete their iconic new structure on the Fossa Road in the next few months, and they’re issuing invitations to whiskey enthusiasts and collectors eager to get their hands on their first batch. For visitors of The Dunloe Hotel and Gardens, this is just 5-minutes away.

Dingle Distillery

The Dingle Whiskey Distillery was crafted and conceived by three independent spirits: Oliver Hughes; Liam LaHart and Peter Mosley. Oliver, Liam and Peter are the people behind Porterhouse Brewing Company; one of the pioneers of craft brewing in Ireland in 1996.

The Dingle Whiskey Distillery came into being in the cold winter of 2012. Ireland was beginning to come out of the greatest recession in many people’s memory. However, unbeknownst to many, the most significant event in the Irish whiskey industry in decades was happening in a tin shed in the town of Dingle, Co. Kerry. Witnessed by a few, the first Dingle Whiskey Casks were filled on the 18th of December 2012. Three years and a day later on the 19th of December 2015, one cask, Cask No. 2 was released. Their whiskey was born. Their distillery was ready.

Portmagee Distillery

Portmagee Whiskey in County Kerry, crafts small batches of Irish Whiskey. They are proud of Portmagee's heritage and their new whiskey experience, due to launch in 2022, will bring the history and culture of the village to life for all to enjoy.

The Portmagee Whiskey Experience, when fully launched and open to visitors, will allow you to explore the history and area/landscape of Portmagee, with its location on the very southwest edge of the Wild Atlantic Way in County Kerry.

Skellig Distillery

The Skellig Six18 Distillery & Visitor Experience is located in Cahersiveen, in the town that is said to climb the mountain and look upon the sea. You will find it on the rugged Skellig coastline in County Kerry, on the scenic Ring of Kerry route. They specialise in craft gin using local botanicals.

The Skellig Six18 Distillery & Visitor Experience tour showcases pride in the Skellig Coast and in the landscape, which is rich in history and character. The team were inspired by the monks who hewed 618 steps into the hard rock surface of Skellig Michael. Every drop of Skellig Six18 pot distilled gin is made there, and the team have plans for a state of the art whiskey distillery, to bring you a single pot still whiskey in the future.

Breweries

West Kerry Brewery

This is the first microbrewery established in County Kerry. Situated in the Gaeltacht on the Dingle Peninsula, Beoir Chorca Dhuibhne (or West Kerry Brewery in English) prides itself in combining water drawn from 150ft below the brewery, predominantly Irish malted barley, whole hops and fresh yeast.

The brewery brews low volume batches with an emphasis on sticking to both traditions while looking towards progression. They pride themselves on using local botanicals in their seasonal range, known as the “Riasc” range named after the townland where the brewery is found.

Killarney Brewing Company

Killarney Brewing Company revives the age-old art of craft beer production in the town for the first time since the 1800s. Using natural, local ingredients and brewing in small batches, the brewery has a core group of ales, lagers, IPAs and stouts. Keep an eye out for their seasonal range where they create unique beers that are a must for any beer lover.

Torc Brewing

Torc Brewing has been brewing and delivering local craft beer to the people of Killarney since 2014. Torc was the first brewery in Killarney since Garret Hore’s “Killarney Ale and Porter Brewery” which was located in Brewery Lane in 1819. Two hundred years later, their Killarney-owned brewery moves online to bring their Torc beer to the town and the world.

McGills Brewing

McGill’s Brewery was founded by Joe McGill. It is located in the Gaeltacht region of Murreigh, Waterville, in Iveragh in the South of Kerry, Ireland. It is the first microbrewery on the Iveragh Peninsula. McGill’s beers are produced to the highest standard of quality. Each beer is unique to the area of South Kerry. They reflect local heroes, culture, and history. In their small brewery, they handcraft their beers with care perfecting traditional Irish beer styles using their state of the art brewery system.

Tom Crean Brewery

A new purpose-built brewery offering a unique tourist experience located in the heart of Kenmare town. An enthralling experience for fans of both Tom Crean, Antarctic explorer and local craft beers.

With a wide range of beers and ales brewed on the premises, their brewery bar is the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing pint and soak in the atmosphere.

Check out our range of whiskeys and beers served at The Dunloe Hotel and Gardens here and enquiry about our Irish Whiskey Taste Trail by contacting us today.