Kilkenny beer is not the same as Smithwicks, although it is related. The main difference between the two is that Kilkenny has a creamy head and body a la Guinness, while Smithwicks come across more like a red lager. Kilkenny was introduced by Guinness in the 1990s to address some market segment or other that had inexplicably been overlooked previously. All in all, it was rather successful, as I believe Kilkenny is now enjoyed in many countries around the world.