Guinness Factory Tour – Enjoying the Perfect Pint in Dublin

Can you really visit Ireland without doing a Guinness Factory tour in Dublin?  As an avid beer drinker, and lover of the delightfully dark stout, I knew I had to visit during my trip to Ireland in 2018.  Most people either love or hate Guinness.  The dark, heavy stout isn’t for everyone.  But as someone who often orders a Guinness, the ones in Ireland are the best tasting in the world. 

But before I begin, a little history on Guinness.

Guest post by Lannie from Lannie’s Food & Travel Blog.

History of Guinness

On 31 December 1759, Arthur Guinness signed a lease in the St. James Gate area of Dublin.  The terms of the lease for the 4-acre property were a rent payment of 45£ a year, for 9,000 years.  That’s right – I typed that right.  Nine thousand years.  Since then, Guinness bought out the property, so the mind boggling 9,000-year lease is no longer applicable.  But still.  I’m personally curious whether Arthur Guinness himself insisted on such a lengthy term, or whether that’s what was offered to him!

Either way, such was the resolve to turn Guinness into a household name, which has, so far, lasted 250+ years.  250 down, 8,750 years to go!  Just kidding.

The Guinness Storehouse (current visitor center and tour facility) was originally the brewery’s fermentation plant, operating between 1902 – 1988.  The barley’s fermentation now takes place elsewhere in Ireland.  So no.  You’re not visiting a fermentation plant in the St. James location.

I know, I know.  An old fermentation plant doesn’t sound like the ideal visitor experience.  In 1997, it underwent a serious renovation, and now comprises of 7 floors of dark, bubbly excitement in the shape of your favorite Guinness pint. 

Learning how to make Beer on Guinness Factory Tour

Most breweries I’ve visited in the past are attached to a trendy restaurant.  And while they do brew beer there, I can say that the Guinness Storehouse is the first and only brewery I’ve ever been to where I learned about the production process. 

The ground floor is devoted to the four ingredients in the black stuff and the brewing process.

1. Water – from Poulaphouca Lake in County Wicklow, south of Dublin.  Some say that the reason Guinness in Ireland tastes the best, is because of their water source. 

• Barley – the grain, which is the foundation of the beer. Guinness’s barley comes from farmers who’ve supplied the barley for the last three generations.  The barley is roasted at 232 degrees Celsius, which gives the Guinness its dark color;

• Hops – the flowers of the Humulus lupulus plant – helps kept the beer fresh, and contributes to the beer’s flavour and aroma;

“I love that stuff. Been drinking it for years. I heard they recently decided to add more hops to it.”

  -McLovin, from SuperBad

• Yeast – the key component to convert sugars into alcohol during the fermentation stage.  Rumor has it that the yeast that they use in the Guinness brewery today is descended from the yeast that Arthur Guinness used himself.  (How does that work?)  Some yeast from each brew is transferred to the next brew.  The yeast is the most valuable part of Guinness’s famous brew, there is a reserve supply in the Director’s Safe.

Now, you know all about Guinness’s brewing process.  That’s just the brewing exhibit of the Guinness factory tour.  They’re still so much more!

The Funnest Part of the Guinness Storehouse Beer Tour in Dublin

Maybe you recognize some of the cheeky Guinness ads that frequent your favorite bar and pub.  There is an entire section devoted to the fun advertising campaigns.  Loved seeing the ads come to live in 3D.  Some of my favorites included the ostrich, the cycling fish, and the whistling oyster. 

One of the great things about art is… you really don’t need an explanation for it.  But if one were to explain the whistling oyster, to take from the sign placard:

“Presumably the oyster was whistling for a Guinness.  For Guinness and oysters are inseparable.  Epicures say that there is nothing like Guinness to bring out the subtle charm of oysters.  In fact, Guinness is as good for oysters as it is good for you.”

And there you have it.  Guinness is good for you. 

Enjoying your Guinness at Guinness

I’m glossing over a few more parts of the exhibit, but you wouldn’t want this blog to show you everything, would you? 

But following all that fun at your own pace with hops, barley and whistling oysters, you’ll arrive at the Gravity Bar.  A perfect place to enjoy the views of Dublin and take a peak over the extensive brewery grounds at St James’s Gate. Oh right, and to drink your own Guinness draft. 

“Sláinte!”

Fun Facts from the Guinness Beer Tour in Dublin

1. Every day at 10 am, expert taste testers check every singl brew of Guinness for quality and consistency.  It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!
2. Guinness is the first brewer to add Nitrogen into beer, which Guinness has included since 1959!
3. The Nitrogen creates the 30 million bubbles in each pint of beer! 
4. And is responsible for the iconic, creamy white head everyone loves!

Parting Thoughts on my visit to the Guinness Storehouse

I think you all know how much I enjoyed this brewery tour.  Beer is not something I know much about, though I do enjoy it.  I loved all of the nuances (heritage yeast, 30 million bubbles, water from the Wicklow Mountains) that make Guinness so special. 

For Guinness fans, beer enthusiasts, or even if you’re just looking for a fun activity, the Guinness Factory Tour in Dublin City is enjoyable for all!

Information about the Guinness Factory Beer Tours in Dublin

Tickets:

There are three different packages for Guinness Storehouse tickets, as of 17 April 2021:

1. Welcome Back – 15 Euros, which includes the entry, 1 pint of Guinness Draught at the 7^th floor Gravity Bar, and (optional) a reservation at Food on Five, the 5^th floor restaurant
2. Upgraded – 24 Euros, all of the above, plus a special pint from the Stoutie.  This special pint includes your photo on the creamy head of your pint!
3. Ambassador – 30 Euros, all of the above, plus a guided tour with a host.

Currently, the Guinness Storehouse is closed due to COVID-19.  Tickets can be booked through their online system from 6 May 2021 onward.  Check the Guinness Storehouse website for latest information.

Location

St. James’s Gate,
Dublin 8, D08 VF8H,
Ireland

Information about the writer- Lannie’s Food & Travel

Lannie is a food and travel blogger based on the Isle of Islay in Scotland.  She is the co-host of #TravelBlogTuesday with CarpeDiemEire, a weekly Twitter chat for travel bloggers.  Lannie loves exploring a place through its food and drinks. 

What else to do in Dublin

Guinness is definitely the quintessential Irish experience. But Guinness aren’t finished with you yet. Next door is the Open Gate Brewery, owned by the same group, Diageo, is an experimental wing of the company. Here you’ll get to see brewers make their own small batch brews, and of course, most importantly, try them. If beer isn’t your thing the Roe and Co distillery is right across the road, and tours are available of this emerging Irish whiskey. More whiskey tours are available in the city at Teelings in Newmarket and of course Jameson in Smithfield.

Besides Guinness the other tour really worth taking in the city is the Trinity College Student Tour. With the students of the college acting as a tour guide, you are in for a knowledgeable and humorous experience. Best of all at the end you’ll see the legendary Book of Kells, and the Jedi Library (known more commonly here as the Long Room)

Dublin is the perfect city for your own walking tour, and armed with this article on the best walks in Dublin, you’ll see the best the city has to offer.

Final thoughts from CarpeDiemEire

Having run #TravelBlogTuesday every week with Lannie, it’s been a pleasure getting to know her and her blogging work. For those who don’t know what #TravelBlogTuesday is; it is a weekly chat on Twitter encouraging travel writers to share their new articles, and support each other. All are welcome. Lannie’s blogs are a highlight of the weekly chat, especially those on her new home of Islay in Scotland.

If you are wondering why Lannie took up island living, think whisky, castles, beaches and the wild west coast of Scotland. I know I’m convinced to Visit Islay. Personally I’ll also be packing my thermals to copy Lannie and see some of those Puffins in Scotland, my personal favourite article on her site.

Looking for a hotel or activity in Dublin?

Dublin has a broad selection of accommodation catering for all budgets. many of its city center hotels are 4 or 5 stars, and the standards are high. The Dublin 2 area has the highest rates, followed by Dublin 1. For a more economical option, the hotels in the affluent Dublin 4 and 6 areas offer good quality at a lower rate, with excellent transport links to the city.

Disclosure; This post contains affiliate links such as the Booking.com hotels booker below, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any money, it will help keep this site going and me travelling. Thank you for your support.