Lynne Swan
Guinness is one of the first things non-natives associate with Ireland. Despite this, numerous Dubliners have yet to visit the famous storehouse (it’s Ireland’s number 1 visitor attraction!) and walk through it’s historic gates. The City team were amongst those who had yet to check it out, so, we took a trip to St. James’ Gate to see what all the fuss was all about!
The self-led tour (there is an option to have a guide talk you through the tour if you’re part of a group of people, however, we opted for the self-led tour so that we could take it all in in our own pace) is a very interactive one and visitors are shown the entire Guinness making process (minus the secret ingredient, of course!). The tour begins at the bottom of the ‘world’s largest pint glass structure’ which visitors are informed can hold a mighty 14.3 million pints of Guinness!
Master brewer, Fergal Murray, guides you along the way via short yet very informative videos which let the viewer know just how the hops, barley, water and yeast are made into the famous ‘black stuff’. Visitors are advised that the tour can take up to an hour and a half or more depending on the pace at which you take it all in. Not long into the tour, visitors are given the opportunity to stop for a drink break and do a ‘taste-test’ of Arthur Guinness world-renowned drink.
The ticket you’re given upon entering the storehouse can be redeemed for a pint in the Gravity bar on the 5th floor or else used to learn how to pull the ‘Perfect pint’ in the Guinness academy on the 4th floor. The ‘Perfect pint’ option is a real-treat as participants even get a certificate to show that they have ‘perfected the perfect pint of Guinness’! The views of Dublin city from the Gravity bar really are something else and there really is nothing like enjoying a cold drink whilst over-looking Dublin city.
The store house is open 7 days a week from 9.30am-5pm and is located on Market street, Dublin 8.
Great little piece on one of our most famous landmarks!