5 Irish-Style Stouts to Sip While Watching “House of Guinness” (It’s Stout Season!)

The new Netflix series “House of Guinness” just dropped - and we’ll be honest, we only pressed play out of curiosity… but now we’re hooked. Family feuds, ambition, beer - it’s got everything. Halfway through the first episode, we were already at the fridge, grabbing a #stout.

And right on cue, it’s stout season - that time of year when the air gets colder, the pints get darker, and you suddenly remember why light beer just doesn’t cut it.

Now, let’s be clear: we’d never trash Guinness. The brewery quite literally built Dublin - its skyline, its tourism, and probably half its hangovers. Without Guinness, the city wouldn’t have that same heartbeat.

However, today, the black stuff is brewed under one of the world's largest beverage empires. Nothing wrong with that - but the true heart of beer beats in smaller, fiercely independent breweries where roasted malt and pride still fill the air.

So while you’re watching House of #Guinness - following Arthur and Edward as they wrestle with their father’s will, or watching the warehouse foreman Sean Rafferty move between loyalty and rebellion - raise a glass to the underdogs. We’ve picked five Irish-style dry stouts that deserve their own spotlight: three from Ireland, one from our favorite Scottish brewers (because good stout doesn’t stop at the border), and one from Switzerland - because we’re Swiss Beer Tours, and we won't let our Swiss stout fans down!

1. Slow Life - Whiplash (Dublin, Ireland)

ABV: 4.5 %

Whiplash is known for going all-in on flavor without overcomplicating things, and Slow Life shows exactly that attitude. It’s their take on the perfect #nitro stout - rich, roasty, and creamy, built from a blend of pale, brown, aromatic, and chocolate malts, with a touch of Columbus hops for balance. The texture is velvety, the bitterness assertive but clean, and it finishes like a freshly brewed mocha. This is the kind of pint you’d order twice before realizing you’ve already emptied the first one. Whiplash has become one of Dublin’s most exciting modern breweries, mixing punk energy with technical precision. For more beer (plus food & things to do) in #Dublin, our YouTube channel has a full video that will help enhance your Dublin experience!

2. Mí Daza - Rising Sons Brewery (Cork, Ireland)

ABV: 4.3 %

#Cork has always marched to its own rhythm, and Mí Daza carries that same independent spirit. Brewed in the heart of the city by Rising Sons, this old-school Irish stout balances roasted malt, coffee, and bitter chocolate notes with a creamy mouthfeel that makes it dangerously sessionable. The use of multiple malt types and a classic Irish yeast profile gives it a subtle nutty sweetness before a dry, toasty finish. It’s the kind of beer that feels made for slow afternoons in a snug pub. If you ever make it to Cork, Rising Sons is a must-stop - and we’ve got several videos about the local food and beer scene there.

3. Shamrock - Lough Gill Brewery (Sligo, Ireland)

ABV: 7.5 %

Lough Gill doesn’t do things halfway. Shamrock is a bold “Irish breakfast stout” that pushes the boundaries of the dry stout style. Brewed with Irish barley and seven specialty malts, then infused with fresh coffee, it delivers layers of roasted grain, dark chocolate, and toffee, rounded by a big, satisfying body. At 7.5 %, it’s stronger than your average pint of the black stuff, but it still drinks incredibly smooth. Lough Gill has built a serious reputation for barrel-aged and strong beers, and this one proves their mastery of balance and flavor even without the oak. You can try them, just like us, at the Abbot’s Ale House in Cork or in #Sligo, of course!

4. Stout Beer - Newbarns Brewery (Leith, Scotland)

ABV: 5 %

#Scotland and #Ireland have always shared a good bit of friendship - and the Scots also know how to brew a killer dry stout. Newbarns, based in Leith, are specialists in lower-ABV beers that don’t compromise on taste. Their Stout Beer pours jet black with a creamy head, delivering a burst of roasted coffee, cocoa, and gentle smoke. The mouthfeel is surprisingly full, with that classic dry finish that keeps you coming back for another sip. Newbarns’ focus on balance and drinkability makes this stout a st(and)out; it’s an honest, no-nonsense beer from one of Scotland’s best young breweries. If you’ve watched our Scotland videos, you already know we’re huge fans.

5. La Fière - Brasserie l’Apaisée (Geneva, Switzerland)

ABV: 4.5 %

Obviously, as Swiss Beer Tours, we couldn’t skip a Swiss take on the Irish dry stout. La Fière from Brasserie l’Apaisée in Geneva is a beautiful example of how local brewers interpret a traditional style with their own flair. It opens with aromas of espresso and licorice, followed by roasted grains, a hint of dark chocolate, and that signature dry finish. Brewed by Xavier, one of the pioneers of Geneva’s craft beer scene, it captures both precision and passion - a proper pint for anyone who loves subtle complexity over flash. And if you’re heading to #Geneva, check out our video for more tips on where to eat, drink, and explore - l’Apaisée is definitely on that list.

There you have it - five stouts to sip while House of Guinness pours out its family drama. Guinness will always be the OG, the gateway, the beer that started the obsession. But the real magic of stout lives in small breweries - the ones that still chase flavor instead of focus-group feedback.

Next time you're in Dublin, Cork, or Sligo, order something you've never heard of. Or if you're wandering through Leith or Geneva, follow the roast-malt aroma to a local taproom - you might just find your new favorite pint.

Because if House of Guinness proves anything, it's that every empire starts in a small brewhouse with someone stubborn enough to do things differently.

It's stout season - drink like you mean it (maybe on one of our tours?)

Cheers, 

Your Swiss Beer Tours Team