Beer has been fostering good relationships in Ireland for more than 5,000 years. The Irish purchased beer from England until the 1700s, upon when the country started its own major brewing endeavors. These days many Irish beers are lighter in style than Guinness and range from lagers to red ales. Ireland was late to join the modern, craft beer movement. However, in the last decades, many other beer styles have been added to the Irish brewing repertoire.