This chart tracks the change in the strength of craft beers being produced by Irish craft brewers. Although the rate of upward change is not startling it is important to note that it has been rising consistently since 2005 and continues to do so. The strength of beer is measured by alcohol content by volume (ABV) and this rise may be attributed to an increase in the range of beer styles being brewed in Ireland and an attempt to mimic international trends and styles as consumers demand beer that is of a global style, but brewed using Irish ingredients and by Irish brewers. Although some of these spring from global collaborative brewing, they also reflect changing trends globally towards higher ABV beers such as double IPA’s (DIPA’s), double New England IPA’s (DNEIPA’s) and higher ABV imperial stouts.

[Sources: Beer Advocate, Beoir, UnTappd.com, Rate My Beer]