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Personalised
Brewery Tours

Learn about our local heroes, culture, and history that inspire our beers. You will also find out how our beers are made in a fun and entertaining way. You’ll learn some words in the Irish Language. Come join us for a truly unique personable experience on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Handcrafted Excellence

Testimonials

For lovers of craft beers, not to be missed

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“A very enjoyable trip to McGilĺs brewery outside Waterville. Joe went into great detail explaining the brewing process for each of the beers produced and also the stories behind the names of the beers. Generous samples of beers were offered along with recommendations of places to visit in the area. Great to see a local brewery producing good quality beers.”

Sombom, July 2023

Top notch micro brewery!

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“What a great place to visit. Joe and his family have put their hearts and souls into this endeavour. His enthusiasm and energy are plain to see from the minute you meet him at the door of the brewery. An added bonus is the quality of the beers. All gorgeous but my favourite is the Maude Delap red ale. I’d recommend a visit here to anyone who’s in the area. If you’re a beer drinker you won’t be disappointed.”

Pat Coady, August 2022

You’ll have craic!

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“Joe and Mags had a warm welcome for us, fielded a lot of questions and answered with craic.  We were a pre booked stag and they handled us with gusto. Beers were good, it’s a small location, ask questions and you’ll have craic.”

Eamonn Boland, August 2024

Unique Tour

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“Our visit to McGill’s micro brewery was brilliant. My daughter really wanted a brewery experience where we were greeted by John taken through the brewing process, provided with a variety of varies tasters and were made to feel so welcome and the banter was brilliant!”

jonathan m, Jun 2023

Great beers!

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“Great staff and great beer! Everything was hands on. Even got a couple barrel aged beers for later which i am eager to try! Would recommend!”

🙂 🙂 🙂

Ådne Rosenlund N, July 2024

Great Micro Brewery

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“Great Micro Brewery, great Beer Tasting, very skilled Staff with a very entertaining way to explain the way of Beer Brewing, fantastic Beer.”

🤩

REINER Egner, 2023

Best IPA in Ireland

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“McGill’s Waterville IPA best beer in Ireland if you like big Hoppy IPA’s. Small brewery in Waterville fun to visit. Joe, the Owner very welcoming.”

🤩

Scott H, Jun 2024

Excellent Oktoberfest party!

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“Excellent Oktoberfest party! The beers are mighty too! Well done Joe, Mags and all the team! Good selection · Knowledgeable staff · Friendly bartenders”

Brendan Curtin, November 2022

Fantastic experience

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“The brewer Joe loves the art of brewing and it shows. Ales and beers with stories attached and relevant to the spectacular ring of Kerry. This brewery is very likely the smallest commercial craft brewery in Ireland. I have tasted spirits, wine, beer, ales and all kind of alcoholic beverages all over the world and trust me you won’t be disappointed if you visit Joe’s brewery.”

Rajesh Nair, 2021

Great tour and tasty beer!

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“Joe gave us a great insight into how beer and stout is made in a really fun way. Would definitely recommend a stop here on the Ring of Kerry!”

🙂

Kate, September 2020

Good time

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“The story of the creation of this company was really entertaining and interesting, and the beers tried there have a real different taste than other beers I’ve tried so far in Ireland.”

Stephan S, September 2020

Brewery tour

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“Great local stories and beers.
Small brewery with a big heart, well worth the visit, located right on the ring of Kerry.”

🤩 🤩 🤩

David W, September 2020

Great experience

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“Great way to spend a couple of hours. Joe is very knowledgeable about brewing but also a mine of information about the local area. Very entertaining company.”

Fiona M, August 2020

Beer!

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“This is a great tour of a lovely brewery. Joe was an excellent host and clearly has high hopes for his brewery. And the beer tastes great. You won’t leave without a case of It!”

Donsy2012, August 2020

Follow your dream!

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“Great experience for groups, stag and hen parties. Joe is a great host and brewing is his passion. He is full of stories and anecdotes that make a visit a memorable experience. You can’t help admire Joe for following his dream and giving up a career in investment banking to open a brewery in beautiful Waterville. You will want to bring back a few bottles of their great beer so you can relive the experience. Don’t miss it!”

PaulC, July 2020

Must do in Ring of Kerry

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“We had a very interesting time together with Joe, the owner and heart of McGill‘s. We tasted the latest Skellig Monk Blonde and the Dark Sky Reserve Stout. You really taste that both are made with heart and a lot of true craftsmanship. Joe, all the best for the future and keep on the good work and continue with your enthusiasm and explorer mindset! Hope to come back or taste your products in the near future!”

malt-n-taste, October 2019

Great micro brewery

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“Joe, you were an awesome host to my friend and I! I seriously could have stayed and talked to you for another hour! First, this place is a micro brewery, but between Joes intro video, his beer, and himself, it makes stopping worth it if you’re in Kerry or doing the Ring of Kerry. I’ve done a few Brewery tours, but because how small it is, it felt personal and more in touch then the bigger tours like Guinness…”

Andrew, September 2019
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Handcrafted Excellence

CRAFT BEERS
HAVE NEVER TASTED SO GOOD

In our small yet innovative brewery, we handcraft our beers with utmost care, showcasing traditional Irish beer styles using cutting-edge brewing technology. Our mission is to share the joy of our carefully brewed beers, each embodying a piece of our heritage. ‘Sláinte agus fad saol agat’ (Health and long life to you) echoes our warm wishes as you savour our brews.

With a commitment to excellence, each beer meticulously crafted here reflects the uniqueness of South Kerry, celebrating local heroes, culture, and history.

Our BEERS

An Coireán Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
McGill’s

An Coireán

Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

McGill’s Bewery have won a gold medal at the World Beer Awards for its ‘An Coireán’ Imperial Stout. The stout was aged over time at McGill’s Brewery in Waterville.

TASTE ME
An Coireán Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
Skellig Monk, Irish Blonde Beer
McGill’s

Skellig Monk

Irish Blonde Beer

This beer is balanced, light, with bread-like malt flavors and citrusy hops and subtle, fruity yeast. This style is subtly sweet, and known for its easy-to-drink approachability.

TASTE ME
Skellig Monk, Irish Blonde Beer
Dark Sky Reserve, Irish Stout
McGill’s

Dark Sky Reserve

Irish Stout

This beer is a dark, slightly bitter beer with strong notes of chocolate and coffee.

TASTE ME
Dark Sky Reserve, Irish Stout
Maud Delap, Irish Red Ale
McGill’s

Maude Delap

Irish Red Ale

McGill’s ‘Maude Delap’ is a traditional Irish Red Ale, hand crafted with a wonderful caramel flavour.

TASTE ME
Maud Delap, Irish Red Ale
Puffin Island, Imperial Stout
McGILL’S

PUFFIN ISLAND

IMPERIAL STOUT

McGill’s Puffin Island imperial stout is a luxurious tasting stout with vanilla, chocolate and coffee flavours.

TASTE ME
Puffin Island, Imperial Stout
Waterville IPA, Irish Red Ale
McGill’s

Waterville IPA

Indian Pale Ale

Our IPA is a refreshing IPA with a nice citrus and pine flavour with a hint of bitterness.

TASTE ME
Waterville IPA, Irish Red Ale
Jack Murphy Kerry Lager, McGill's Brewery, Kerry
McGill’s

Jack Murphy Kerry Lager

Lager

Jack Murphy Kerry Lager is a clean, crisp, and refreshing Irish lager.

TASTE ME
Jack Murphy Kerry Lager, McGill's Brewery, Kerry
Latest News &

What’s On

Our latest news & events.

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McGills Brewery is thrilled to announce that our Maude Delap Irish Red Ale is now pouring at Boston’s Bar! Named in honor of the pioneering marine biologist Maude Delap, this ale is a perfect tribute to her Irish roots and passion for exploration.

Our Irish Red Ale boasts a smooth, malty character with subtle caramel and roasted notes. The balanced bitterness and rich red hue make it the perfect choice for those who appreciate traditional, full-flavored beers. It’s brewed with care, combining the finest ingredients to capture the spirit of Ireland in every sip.

Boston’s Bar is the ideal spot to enjoy this new addition to the McGills family. Whether you’re catching up with friends, or looking for a new favorite pint, the Maude Delap Irish Red Ale is sure to impress.

Come by Boston’s Bar and be among the first to taste our new ale. Let us know what you think, and raise a glass to Maude Delap – an Irish legend whose spirit of adventure lives on in this brew!

Cheers to new beginnings and great beer!

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Get ready for a day of Bavarian fun with a South Kerry twist! On October 26th, Waterville will come alive with South Kerry’s Oktoberfest, a celebration of craft beer, local food, and live entertainment. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or just looking for a great time, this event is not to be missed!

The highlight of the festival is the wide variety of locally brewed craft beers, including our very own McGill’s Brewery! We are excited to showcase some of our finest brews, including the Maude Delap Irish Red Ale, a crowd favorite, along with other seasonal specials brewed just for the occasion. Expect bold flavors, smooth malts, and a mix of traditional German styles with an Irish twist.

In addition to beer, the festival will offer plenty of delicious food from local vendors, including bratwurst, pretzels, and other Bavarian-inspired dishes. Plus, there’ll be live music and entertainment throughout the day to keep the party going!

Join us at Waterville on October 26th for South Kerry’s Oktoberfest and raise a glass to great beer, good company, and a fun-filled day celebrating local craft and community spirit!

See you there – Prost! 🍻

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Maude Delap, born in 1866 in Valentia Island, County Kerry, is a true Irish pioneer in marine biology. Known for her groundbreaking work in the early 1900s, she was the first person to successfully breed jellyfish in captivity, revolutionising the study of marine life.

Despite lacking formal training, Delap’s dedication and passion for marine research led her to contribute valuable insights to the scientific community. She meticulously studied the diverse marine species around Ireland’s coast, becoming a respected figure in biology circles. Her research remains influential to this day.

At McGill’s Brewery, we honor her legacy with our Maude Delap Irish Red Ale, a brew that reflects her tenacity and deep connection to Ireland’s natural beauty. Just as Maude explored the unknown depths of the sea, we aim to craft beers that explore bold flavors and tradition.

Cheers to Maude Delap – an Irish legend who paved the way for future generations of scientists!

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We’re excited to announce that McGill’s Brewery in Waterville has won a prestigious gold medal at the World Beer Awards for our ‘An Coireán’ Imperial Stout! This rich, bold stout, aged to perfection at our brewery in South Kerry, has earned top honors in its category.

Our premium brew brought home an outstanding honor: the Best Barrel-Aged Beer award at the World Beer Awards. This exceptional beer was aged in whiskey barrels, sourced from the great-great-grandnephew of none other than Daniel O’Connell.

Founder Joe McGill expressed the team’s excitement, saying, “We’re thrilled to be recognized as an award-winning brewery. It’s a testament to the hard work and passion that goes into every pint.”

The journey isn’t over yet! Our ‘An Coireán’ Imperial Stout now moves forward to the World Competition stage, where it will compete against the best beers globally.

Thank you to everyone who has supported McGill’s Brewery – stay tuned as we continue to brew greatness!

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Step into the realm of extraordinary brewing as we proudly unveil the crowning jewel of McGill’s Brewery – An Coireán. Our beloved creation has not only captured the hearts of beer enthusiasts but has also clinched the prestigious titles of Best Flavoured Beer and Best Barrel Aged Beer in Ireland at the esteemed World Beer Awards. Join us on a journey through the rich tapestry of flavor and tradition that defines An Coireán.

Craftsmanship and Creativity:

An Coireán Barrel Aged Imperial Stout isn’t just a beer; it’s a testament to the artistry and innovation that drive us at McGill’s Brewery. Crafted with care and brewed with passion, every drop of An Coireán is a celebration of the natural beauty and rich heritage of Ireland. But what truly sets this beer apart is its journey through time and taste, aging gracefully in Wayward Irish Spirits Liberator Whiskey Oak Barrels that once cradled port, infusing it with a symphony of flavors and aromas that tantalize the senses.

A Taste like no other:

As you raise a glass of An Coireán to your lips, prepare to embark on a sensory adventure unlike any other. The aroma is a beguiling blend of oak, whiskey, and hints of sweet port – a testament to the careful aging process that imparts depth and complexity to the beer. With each sip, you’ll discover layers of flavor – rich malt, velvety chocolate, and a whisper of dark fruit, all underscored by a warming whiskey finish that leaves a lasting impression on the palate.

Barrel Aged Brewery Tours:

Curious to experience the magic of An Coireán firsthand? Join us for a Barrel Aged Brewery Tour at our picturesque brewery in Waterville. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents of the brewing process as our knowledgeable brewery guides lead you through our facilities. Learn about the art of barrel aging and discover the secrets behind the creation of An Coireán as you sample this award-winning brew straight from the source.

A Toast to Excellence:

At McGill’s Brewery, excellence isn’t just a goal – it’s a way of life. Winning both the Best Flavoured Beer and the Best Barrel Aged Beer in Ireland at the World Beer Awards is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship. But more than that, it’s a celebration of the enduring spirit of Irish brewing – a tradition that continues to thrive and inspire us to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

As we raise a glass to toast the success of An Coireán, we invite you to join us on a journey of discovery and delight. Whether you’re a seasoned beer connoisseur or a curious novice, An Coireán promises to captivate your senses and transport you to the heart of Ireland with every sip. Don’t miss your chance to experience this award-winning brew – book your Barrel Aged Brewery Tour today and unlock the secrets of An Coireán at McGill’s Brewery in Waterville, Co Kerry on the stunning Ring of Kerry on the Wild Atlantic Way. Sláinte!

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Waterville village, South Kerry, Ireland
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