When did Irish whiskey and beer become world famous?

Answer 1

Sometime after 1831:

In the early stages of whiskey production, the whiskey was blended with a thick malt. This gave the drink an almost soupy consistency and a deep, smoky flavor. This smoky flavor came from the peat that distillers used in the fires to dry the malt. However, in 1831 Aeneas Coffey invented a still, which enabled a continual process of distillation to take place. This led to the production of the grain whiskies of today. This lighter, more drinkable grain whiskey extended the appeal of whiskey to a considerably wider consumer market.

Whiskey has survived the United States prohibition, countless wars and rebellions, harsh taxation, depression and recession, to maintain its position as one of the world�s most coveted liquors. Whiskey can be purchased in almost two hundred countries worldwide. Whiskey has surely left the Gaelic borders from which it was born and has spread throughout the world, infecting millions with its intoxicating luxury.

Believe it or not, Irish whiskey was the number one selling whiskey in the world in Victorian times.

The world went whisk(e)y mad after the failure of the grape crop in France meant the supply of Brandy was stunted. Everyone turned to whisk(e)y, and the most coveted whiskey was Irish pure pot still whiskey.

However, a number of events conspired to shrink the industry to a meare two distilleries. Prohabition in America, protectionist policies in Ireland, the Temperance Movement, war with the British Empire, bootlegging... the list goes on.

Thankfully, the industry is growing again. The Irish whiskey industry has grown to three distilleries, with another two opening soon.