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This week marks the halfway point to St. Patrick's Day. And since a typical St. Paddy's Day celebration couldn't get farther from anything actually Irish, being furthest away from that day is a good time to explore some authentic Irish beer!

Ireland's craft scene has been steadily growing over the past 5 years and shows no signs of stopping. Last week, I had the opportunity to travel my way through Ireland, trying as many craft beers as I could find. Luckily, almost every pub in Ireland has a handle or two of the local brewery's offering, and most towns have at least one craft centric pub. Their craft beer association, Beoir, has been advocating on behalf of the craft industry and has clearly been making a huge impact around the country.

They're pumping out some great beers over there, so now would be a good time to make an Irish beer forum friend for trading. Here are six to try:

Galway Bay – Of Foam and Fury

Double IPA

8.5% ABV | 132 IBU

Grapefruity and tropical notes with a pleasant malt profile and dry finish. Definitely could give any American DIPA a run for its money.

Kinnegar Brewery – Rustbucket

Rye Ale

5.1% ABV | 20 IBU

Great spice notes and malty goodness. Perfectly balanced, as well, to make it drinkable all evening.

Eight Degrees – The Full Irish

Single Malt IPA

6% ABV | 65 IBU

Won Beoir's 2015 Beer of the Year and is surely deserved. Great tropical hop notes and well balanced bready malt presence.

Metalman Brewing – Metalman Pale Ale

Pale Ale

4.3% ABV | 0 IBU

Great session pale ale with notes of pine and peach.

Trouble Brewing – Dark Arts Porter

Porter

4.4% ABV | 0 IBU

Wonderful roasty notes with caramel and toffee the prominent flavors. Perfectly used hops create a bitter finish and balance if out from being too sweet.

O'Hara's Brewery – Leann Folláin

Extra Irish Stout

6% ABV | 0 IBU

This was my favorite beer I tried during my travels. Reminiscent of an Imperial Stout, but much drier. Dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla with the dry finish that leaves you wanting another.

Honorable mentions:

Black IPA by Blacks of Kinsale

The Hurler by Four Provinces

Comeragh Challenger by Dungarvan Brewing