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If you visited Dublin and did not pay a visit to the iconic Guinness Storehouse Brewer, did you really visit Ireland at all?
We planned a visit on our last day in Ireland, and a part of me wishes we did it on our first day so we could go back.
The brewery is humongous and provides seven levels of history and interactive exhibits, ending with a refreshing pint of Guinness that is enjoyed on their rooftop bar.
Guinness is not your typical brewery tour, it is an experience, and here is everything you need to know, before you go!
St. James’s Gate Brewery & The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin
First, let’s talk about the process of making Guinness at St. James’s Gate. You can tour the whole facility, including the Guinness Storehouse, which we will get to in a bit.
But this is also a place where the brewers of Guinness invent new beers, and you can sample them during your journey.
How The Beer Is Made
You have to learn about how they make their beer before you drink it. It is a very detailed and extensive process, filled with love and hard work.
Milling
The first step in their brewery process is Milling. They use different types of Irish grain in brewing, such as malted barley, rye, and oats. Grain is pushed through rollers to crack the kernel and milled down into a powder-like grist for maximum efficiency for the next stage of the process.
Mashing
Next comes mashing, where the grist is added to water in the mash vessel at varying temperatures. The resulting mash is separated into a high-sugar liquid called wort, which forms the foundation of our beer, and spent grain, which is no longer needed and is sent for animal feed.
Boiling
Then they boil. The vigorous boil and heat change the natural oils from the hops to bittering compounds to balance the malt with some bitterness and aroma.
Fermenting
Finally, the fermentation process begins as yeast converts sugar molecules into CO2 and alcohol. Different yeast strains produce distinct flavors and aromas. After the yeast completes its task, brewers leave the beer to mature for anywhere from 3 weeks to a year.
Taking A Tour Of the Guinness Storehouse
Now that you know the history behind the brewing process, it’s time to talk about the amazing tour you can take of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Your tour includes entry to Guinness Tasting Rooms, Gravity Bar, and a pint of Guinness or a non-alcoholic drink.
When you arrive, you will check in with your tickets at the front door. They have a coat and luggage check for those coming from the airport or train station. We used it for our luggage since we ran extremely late from our train from Galway!
From there, it is a self-guided tour through the Guinness Storehouse. There are seven floors of history, interactive learning experiences, and everything Guinness. You can take your time as you make your way through their 250 years of brewing.
The best part about this tour is it’s interesting! While I love art galleries and history lessons, sometimes visiting can be boring. But Guinness did it right; each floor had bright lights, music, and fun activities. I was not bored for a second.
You will find some historical documents too, including the 9,000-year lease signed and sealed in 1759 by Arthur Guinness.
The tour concludes at the Gravity Bar on the Guinness Storehouse rooftop. Here, you can enjoy a pint of Guinness, included in your ticket.
As you enjoy your Guinness, admire the views of Dublin all around you. While enjoying your Guinness, take in the panoramic views of Dublin surrounding you. Despite Ireland’s reputation for rain, we could see the city stretching out for miles.
We did the Standard Experience. But they also have a variety of others, including a pouring class and an extra pint.
How To Get To Guinness Storehouse
Since Guinness is located in Dublin, it is easy to get to. Many tour companies even offer packages to pick you up from your hotel.
We walked from Heuston Station to Guinness Storehouse, which took 17 minutes. When our tour ended, we walked back to our hotel, which was near Temple Bar. The walk back was around 24 minutes. We got plenty of steps on this day.
You can also take a quick taxi ride over if you are coming from Dublin’s Temple Bar District.
Guinness Storehouse Hours
Their hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday, 9.30 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday, 9.30 AM to 5:00 PM. You will be able to book a reservation in these time slots.
Always check the website before visiting since they close for renovations sometimes.
Booking A Tour To Guinness Storehouse
Once you’ve booked your flights to Ireland, make sure to book your tickets to Guinness Storehouse! Visiting ranks as one of the top things to do in the entire country of Ireland, and time slots fill up quickly. You can’t visit the brewery without a reservation, no exceptions.
Book your reservation directly on their website. If you choose a separate tour company, they typically include your reservation as part of the tour package.
You can change your reservation up to 24 hours before your slot time incase of any changes.
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