At Carlow Brewing Company our focus has always been on the ancient craft of bewing, situated as we are in the Barrow Valley with its centuries old tradition of brewing Irish craft beers they are proud to have been at the forefront of the revival of traditional Irish craft brewing for almost 20 years. While Ireland’s prestigious reputation for producing quality beers dwindled over time, a craft brewing revival began in Britain and America in the 1980’s when these two countries gained great diversity in brewing and Ireland looked to follow suit. In the early 1990’s the O’Hara family, along with a few other beer-loving entrepreneurs, stepped onto the scene, ready to put Ireland on the map. Ireland’s microbreweries were born again and the wheels were set in motion for the slow but highly successful craft beer renaissance. As one of the originators and innovators of the craft brewing revival in Ireland Carlow Brewing Company and the O’Hara family have managed to take this heritage and bring our brewery the point where we now brew a range multi-award winning Irish craft beers.

Established in 1996, Carlow Brewing Company is known as one of the pioneers in Irish craft brewing. The dedication and expertise of their master brewers has meant that since 1996 the company has won many national and international awards for their range of Irish craft beers and stouts.

On a tour of our brewery in Bagenalstown you will learn about Ireland’s indigenous brewing history, meet our team of brewers who’ll share their passion for brewing Irish craft beers, learn about the brewing process from start to finish, taste the special malts used to brew O’Hara’s beers and smell the hops. We’ll also invite you sample some of these award winning beers O’Hara’s Irish Stout, O’Hara’s Irish Red, Curim Gold, O’Haras Leann Folláin (Extra Irish Stout) and O’Hara’s Irish Pale Ale.

Then continue the experience by joining us at our award winning pub, Brewery Corner on Parliament St, in Ireland’s medieval city, Kilkenny. Brewery Corner is Kilkenny’s first dedicated craft beer pub and Ireland’s only pub to serve exclusively Irish craft beer on tap. You’ll currently find 13 taps always pouring the full O’Hara’s beer range plus guest Irish craft beers and ciders. You’ll also find the friendliest staff just waiting to welcome you and to impart their knowledge on the beers on offer.

Weekly public tours: Thursdays at 4pm

Group bookings by arrangement, booking essential. Contact us by phone or email