Eight Degrees Brewing is one of the craft breweries that built Ireland’s modern beer scene, working out of Mitchelstown, County Cork, since being founded by a Kiwi and an Aussie who both settled in Ireland. Full Irish is their flagship IPA, and the one that keeps winning awards.
At a glance
| Style | Single malt IPA |
| ABV | 6.0% |
| IBU | 65 |
| Brewery | Eight Degrees Brewing, Mitchelstown, County Cork |
| Character | Citrus, grapefruit, floral, hop-forward with a clean malt base |
| Best served | Cold, in a tulip or pint glass to capture the hop aroma |
How it tastes, by the numbers
The full review
Full Irish started as a one-off brewed for a festival in 2014. It was popular enough that Eight Degrees never stopped making it, and it has since gone on to win Best in Ireland for English-style IPA at the World Beer Awards multiple times, most recently in 2024.
The malt bill is 100% Irish-grown pale malt, malted in Cork, which the brewery leans on as a point of pride. On top of that clean base sits Simcoe, Cascade, Citra and Amarillo hops, delivering grapefruit and citrus up front with hints of lime, melon and lychee underneath.
At 6.0% ABV and 65 IBUs it sits at the fuller, hoppier end of the style, closer to a West Coast IPA than a session ale. It holds its own against much bigger-name American IPAs, and the fact that it is built entirely on Irish malt gives it a genuine point of difference.
Full Irish proves Irish craft brewing can go toe to toe with American West Coast IPAs, built on 100% Irish malt.
- Award-winning, multiple Best in Ireland wins at the World Beer Awards
- Bold citrus and grapefruit hop character
- Built entirely on Irish-grown malt
- Available in both cans and bottles
- Not currently listed on Saucey (see our best IPAs guide for Saucey-available IPAs)
- 6% ABV and 65 IBUs make it a heavier pour than the session lagers on this list
Who it is for
If you want proof that Irish craft beer can compete with the biggest American IPA names, Full Irish is the one to start with.
FAQs
Who makes Full Irish IPA?
Eight Degrees Brewing, an independent craft brewery based in Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland.
What does Full Irish IPA taste like?
Citrus and grapefruit-forward with hints of lime, melon and lychee, built on a clean, 100% Irish malt base.
How strong is Full Irish IPA?
It is 6.0% ABV with 65 IBUs, a fuller-strength IPA.
Is Full Irish IPA available on Saucey?
Not currently. See our best IPAs guide for Saucey-available IPAs in the meantime.
Has Full Irish IPA won any awards?
Yes. It has won Best in Ireland in the English-Style IPA category at the World Beer Awards multiple times, including 2024.
Eight Degrees Full Irish IPA is not sold through US delivery apps. If you want a US-available craft IPA in a similar vein, Lagunitas IPA is a solid, widely stocked comparison, below.
The verdict
Full Irish is one of the strongest arguments for Irish craft beer on this whole list, an award-winning, hop-forward IPA built entirely on Irish malt. Worth seeking out if you can find it.
