An ale called Ruby Ale was being brewed by the G.H. Lett Brewery of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland when it closed its doors in 1956. It is thought that this brewery evolved from a 15th century friary.

Sometime later (the exact date is unknown) George Killian Lett, a master brewer in the familiy tradition, licensed the name to the Coors brewery and to the Pelforth brewery in France. Both now produce a reddish brew very similar to the original Ruby Ale.