O’Hara’s "51st State" IPA

Bold hops. Tropical fruit. Irish craft with an American state of mind.
O’Hara’s 51st State is a beer that captures the adventurous side of Irish craft brewing. Created by Carlow Brewing Company, one of the pioneers of Ireland’s independent brewing scene, this American-style IPA takes the traditional foundations of IPA and turns the hop character firmly into the spotlight. Generous hopping brings layers of citrus, tropical fruit, and resinous bitterness, creating a beer that is confident, aromatic, and unmistakably built for hop lovers.

The name is a playful nod to America and the influence that its craft brewing revolution has had on modern beer culture. While the inspiration may cross the Atlantic, the beer itself is proudly brewed in Ireland. O’Hara’s uses the brewery's experience with traditional brewing techniques as a foundation, then builds on it with an assertive American-influenced hop profile. The result is a beer that sits comfortably between classic IPA structure and the expressive, hop-forward beers that transformed the craft beer world.

From the first pour, 51st State delivers a powerful aromatic impression. Citrus peel and grapefruit sit alongside tropical fruit and a subtle resinous character, while the malt foundation provides enough biscuit and caramel depth to support the substantial hop load. Unlike some modern hazy IPAs that emphasise softness and sweetness, this is a beer where bitterness remains an important part of the experience. The hops are expressive, but the beer still finishes clean and refreshing.

At around 6% ABV, it has enough weight to make the flavours feel substantial without becoming overly heavy. The bitterness builds gradually across the palate rather than arriving as a single sharp hit, allowing the tropical and citrus flavours to remain present throughout the finish. It is exactly the sort of beer that rewards someone who wants to explore the more assertive side of craft brewing.

For beer lovers in Ireland, 51st State is an important example of how Irish craft breweries embraced the global hop revolution while developing their own identity. It feels international in inspiration, but unmistakably Irish in its brewing heritage — a beer that helped show just how far Irish craft brewing could go beyond traditional stout and red ale.

Why we love it:
51st State is the beer to reach for when you want hops to do the talking. It combines bright citrus and tropical fruit with a satisfying resinous bitterness and enough malt structure to keep everything balanced. There is real depth here without sacrificing drinkability, making it a particularly rewarding IPA for anyone who enjoys classic hop-forward craft beer. It also represents something important in the O’Hara’s story: Irish brewing confidently embracing the global craft movement without losing its roots.