16 Northern Ireland Breweries: A Great Revived History of Brewing Beer

The Island of Ireland has a long history of brewing beer, and Northern Ireland’s Breweries are still going strong today. Read on to learn more about the origins of beer, craft breweries in Northern Ireland, and the breweries reviving Northern Ireland’s brewing industry. If this article makes you crave an excellent craft pint, we also have an article on the best places to get craft beer in Belfast.

Where did beer come from?

The drinking of beer is shown in carvings from civilizations as early as Mesopotamia (Around 6000 years ago). Historians still cannot be sure how the first beer was made as it is believed to pre-date written history. The leading theory is that pre-historic humans developed bread-making first, and bread was fermented with water, probably accidentally at first, and developed ethanol.

Thus, bread became beer; most likely, someone tried drinking it and discovered its intoxicating properties. Beer production boomed from then on, and the development of distillation meant that alcoholic drinks such as beer gained a higher alcohol level. The history of beer brewing has come a long way since then. So, how is it made?

How is beer made?

Beer brewing is mixing cereals and grains with water and adding heat or time to create alcohol in fermentation. Many variations of this process are used to produce various types of beer, from Lager to IPA.

Boundary Brewery in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has a tremendous beer-making video, shown below.

When did Northern Ireland breweries start?

The earliest breweries were often found in monasteries, a trend consistent around the British Isles. One example of alcohol you may recognise in monasteries is the infamous tonic wine Buckfast (still created in Buckfast Abbey today).

Irish beer traditionally was a darker drink, as the climate is perfect for growing barley. One Roman Emperor described the beer made in Ireland as smelling like a goat. For centuries, small producers all over the country were producing their beers and ales created with roasted barley for a more complex flavour.

History of the Belfast Brewery

Belfast’s history of beer-brewing highlights its history as the busiest port on the island of Ireland, even more significant than Dublin or Cork. Belfast’s brewing industry played a vital role in this industrial success. Most people know Belfast’s port for its history of linen production or shipbuilding, but distilling and brewing were hugely beneficial to the economy of Ireland.

Belfast’s brewery quarter was booming, with several large beer producers finding a home on what is now Lower Garfield Street. At the time, Lower Garfield Street was named Bell’s Lane after John Bell, the owner of Bell’s Brewery. Bell’s Brewery is the only brewer from the historic brewing quarter still in operation today. They are even still operating at their original location on Lower Garfield Street, in a bar called the Deer’s Head.

So, what happened to the beer industry in Belfast and Northern Ireland?

The Decline of Brewing Beer in Northern Ireland

The decline of small-scale breweries scattered around the country and the brewery quarter in Belfast can largely be attributed to one man, Arthur Guinness. In 1759, Arthur Guinness was aware of the potential of the booming brewery industry. He took out a 9,000-year lease for St James Gate Brewery, and slowly, Guinness became the biggest brewery export from Ireland and the biggest brewer in the world.

This shift in brewery exports to Dublin crippled the brewing industry in Belfast. Guinness’s colossal success was great for the Irish economy but was disastrous for small brewery producers. Reportedly in Ireland before 1759 there were over 100 independent breweries, in the following century that number dwindled to around 30.

Guinness continues to help the Irish economy today, and The Guinness Storehouse is still a huge tourist attraction now:

The Revival of Brewing Beer in Northern Ireland

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) was started in 1971 in England, showing increased interest in craft beer in the UK. However, it wasn’t until ten years later, in 1981, that Hilden Brewery opened its doors and started a trend of craft breweries in Northern Ireland. As of July 2022, 34 active breweries in Northern Ireland offer a range of exciting craft beers.

What are some of the best craft breweries in Northern Ireland? Read on to learn more about the breweries aiming to revive the history of beer brewing in Northern Ireland.

Breweries in Northern Ireland

• Ards Brewing Co.
• Beer Hut Brewing Company
• Bells Brewery in Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Boundary Brewing Company
• Bullhouse Brew Company
• Farmageddon Brewing co-op
• Heaney Brewery
• Hercules Brewing Co.
• Hilden Brewing Co.
• Knockout Brewing Co.
• Lacada Brewery
• Modest Beer
• Mourne Mountains Brewery
• Northbound Brewery
• Walled City Brewery
• Whitewater Brewery Northern Ireland

Ards Brewing Co.

Started in 2011 and based in Newtownards, County Down, the Ards Brewing Company is just one of the craft breweries Northern Ireland offers. They have a range of beers, including Hip Hop Pale Ale, BallyBlack Stout, and Scrabo Gold. Their Golden Ale Scrabo Gold is named after Scrabo Tower, arguably the most well-known tourist attraction in Newtownards. Ards Brewing Co. has become a tourist attraction, but you can get their beers at bars such as Bittles in Belfast.

Beer Hut Brewing Company

Based in Kilkeel, Co. Down Beer Hut Brewing Company began as a hobby but now has eight stockists around Northern Ireland. They have a core range of beers, including an IPA, a Pale Ale, and a Session IPA, but they also produce batches of interesting beers that are a bit different, including ‘Fly Guy, ‘ a double berry sour.

Stockists:

• Kilkeel Wine & Spirits – Kilkeel 
• Kilmorey Arms Hotel – Kilkeel
• Great Jones Craft & Kitchen – Newcastle
• Donard Wines – Newcastle
• Anchor Bar – Newcastle
• The Drink Link – Newry
• The Vineyard –  Ormaeu Rd
• Belfast DC Wines – Boucher Rd Belfast

Bells Brewery in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Bell’s Brewery is passionate about restarting Belfast’s brewery quarter and opened Belfast’s first brew pub, The Deer’s Head. They have a history of beer and brewing and 21 beers on their list. They also produce seasonal beers such as Pumpkin Spice Ale for Halloween and Widow Partridges Winter Spiced Ale for Christmas. Their beers are stocked in bars around Northern Ireland and off-licences, but the best place to try their range is at their brewpub, The Deer’s Head.

Boundary Brewing Company

Boundary Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in Belfast that features beauty on the can and inside. Their range of craft beers is constantly changing, and they offer mixed cases of beers on their website if you want to mix and match. They opened Northern Ireland’s first taproom, where you can try their many excellent brews. You will notice that their craft beer cans not only have beautiful paintings on them but also often have tongue-in-cheek titles. A personal favourite is their Imperial Brown Ale named “A Practical Guide to the NI Protocol”.

Their tropical IPA called “Imbongo” will remind big kids who grew up in Northern Ireland of drinking Umbongo (You drink it in the Congo), and their “Screwball” raspberry and vanilla ice cream IPA will remind you of sunny days running for the poke man. Check out their online shop or taproom for all this and more.

Bullhouse Brew Company

Starting with a Co. Down farmer inspired by a road trip to the US, Bullhouse Brewing Company has gone from strength to strength, even opening taprooms. Their witty cans show titles such as “Dry Your Ryes,” a rye pale ale, “Yer Da,” a dank and bitter DIPA, and, of course, “Yer Ma,” a fruity and sweet DIPA. They also care about the environment and use environmentally friendly methods for producing beer.

Farmageddon Brewing co-op

The Farmageddon Brewing Co-op’s roots aim to reduce farm waste while making great beers to drink with friends. They are a micro-brewery that specialises in interesting small batches. Their beers are available from their website, including various boxes, and in bars such as Voodoo and The Errigle Inn, Belfast.

Heaney Brewery

For generations, the Heaney family has owned their farm at The Wood, Bellaghy. Seamus Heaney, the famous Irish writer and Nobel laureate, was a part of that family and was inspired by their beautiful lands. The spring water from their well and the farm produce help create craft beers. You can purchase them online from their shop or at the farm. You can also try some of their beers at The Sunflower Public House, Belfast.

Hercules Brewing Co. / Yardsman

The Hercules Brewing Company is passionate about developing craft breweries in Northern Ireland to revive that lost industry. They care greatly about the city’s history, so they chose the name Yardsman for their larger, naming it after the hardworking shipyard workers who bolstered the economy of Belfast. Their beers are stocked by off-licences and bars such as Bittles and Yard Bird in Belfast.

Hilden Brewing Co.

The Kickstarter for developing craft breweries in Northern Ireland, Hilden Brewery from Lisburn, is a craft brewery offering beer and much more. Their beers, including their “Belfast Blonde” pale beer, “Twisted Hop” pale ale, and “Bucks Head” double IPA, are readily available in Tescos around Northern Ireland.

Other offerings:

• A fascinating 40-year history of brewing beer.
• It is one of the best brewery tours Northern Ireland has to offer.
• A Brewery wedding venue in Northern Ireland
• The Hilden Beer and Music Festival
• The Tap Room at Hilden Brewery Northern Ireland

Knockout Brewing Co.

Established in 2014, Knockout Brewing Co. is a newer addition to the Northern Ireland breweries scene. This company, adding to the craft breweries Northern Ireland tapestry, is constantly innovating with new ingredient sources, formulas, and flavours. If you want to try some fantastic beers, check out their social media or website to see when they have Taprooms on.

Tweets by KnockOutBrewing

Lacada Brewery

This brewing co-operative in Portrush started as a father-and-son brewing team. They are passionate about producing great beer, and their fantastic community beers are sold to over 50 stockists. Check out their website for an extensive list of craft beer stockists in Northern Ireland.

Modest Beer

As one anonymous, overheard review on their website says, Modest Beer is “Pretty Good”. This quirky craft beer brewery is a cheerful and exciting company. They also have witty flavour names such as “Just like Nana used to drink” their Oatmeal Stout. And their “Good enough to take home to yer ma”. This great craft brewery is owned by a former tax accountant who started his business in his parent’s garage. Two years later, in a much bigger space, they continue to make some of the best craft beer in Belfast.

Mourne Mountains Brewery

With one of the most exciting water sources on this list, Mourne Mountains Brewery are making beer in Warrenpoint at the base of the Mourne Mountains. The soft water from the Mournes is excellent for brewing, and that’s where their craft beer begins. Their hands-on brewing process ensures that their expert brewers handle the quality of their beer. A bonus is that all their beers are Vegan friendly! Their beers are served on tap at bars in Moira, Bangor, and Warrenpoint and sold in cans and bottles by over 30 stockists. Check out their website for more details.

Northbound Brewery

Creating beers with water, hops, malt, yeast & knowledge, Northbound Brewery is a business with family, heritage, and excellent quality beer. The owners of Northbound wanted to create a legacy with their family business for their children to be a part of. You can buy their beers online or from stockists around Northern Ireland. Their online store even offers 5L mini kegs in case you fall in love with one flavour. Otherwise, you can buy gift sets of beer in their range with a glass.

Walled City Brewery

Housing Derry’s best gastropub is Walled City Brewery. Their owner, James, spent 12 years brewing for Guinness before starting his family brewery in 2015. Since its opening, they have developed over 200 varieties of beer and are continuing to create new flavours. Can’t decide what to try? They offer beer flights at their pub! They also provide lessons on brewing beer at their Homebrew Academy.

Whitewater Brewery Northern Ireland

Whitewater Brewing Company creates iconic Northern Irish craft beers such as Maggie’s Leap and Belfast Lager. Established in 1996, it has a 20-year history of brewing beer. It is another of the craft breweries Northern Ireland has around the stunning Mourne Mountains. At its brewery, it offers tours as well as taproom evenings.

Conclusion

From the very earliest days of settling on the island of Ireland, people have enjoyed beer. Northern Ireland breweries have shaped the economy and industry here for centuries. With even more craft breweries, Northern Ireland is gaining this history of brewing beer, which will continue to grow. If this article has made you consider going for a craft beer in Belfast, check out our article to find the best places.