The Guinness Storehouse Tour

The Guinness Storehouse Tour

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Several weeks ago I joined up with some people in the work abroad in Ireland program to take a tour of The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Before moving to Dublin I had never had Guinness, so I decided I should wait to try “a pint of the black stuff” in its native land. People say Guinness is better in Ireland anyway, and who am I to argue?

The Guinness Storehouse Tour

The Guinness Storehouse is massive. The tour is a self guided tour with a variety of different exhibits to see along the way. There isn’t a brewmaster in-person showing you how they make Guinness, but the tour displays are easy to follow along with. The first part of the tour goes through the ingredients that are in Guinness (barley, hops, water, and yeast), and how the beer itself is made.

Water fountain at the Guinness Storehouse.

After this you get to learn about Arthur Guinness (the namesake and creator of Guinness), and the legacy of his family in Dublin. Fun fact – did you know St. Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin was initially a private park for local residents? It was Arthur Guinness’s grandson A.E Guinness who pressured the government to give the park to all of Dublin. Who knew I was enjoying a lovely day in the park thanks to beer?

St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin, Ireland.

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After learning about how Guinness is made and about Arthur Guinness there is still more to this tour. There is one area that’s dedicated to the different advertisements for Guinness over the years. It was a pretty fun section. It also talked about the famous harp symbol found on Guinness. The harp has become the symbol of Ireland (the only country with its own musical symbol, which I think is fantastic). As a company, Guinness started using the harp as a symbol for its products back in 1862. When The Republic of Ireland formed as a country in 1922, they wanted to use the harp as a symbol of the country but had to change it to a mirror image to avoid copyright infringement.

Fish on a bicycle advertisement at the Guinness Storehouse.
Vintage ad for Guinness.

Storage and Transport

Next, there is a section about how Guinness was stored over the years (it used to be stored in oak barrels), and how it is transported (both in the past and now). The last section goes through what Guinness looks like (or used to) around the world.

Tanks of Guinness. These metal tanks are filled with Guinness, about 75,000 pints worth.
Guinness bottles from other countries.

The Tasting and Gravity Bar

During the tour, there are two stops you will want to make. First is the tasting room. This is where you will learn how to taste Guinness properly. Unlike doing a wine tasting, you won’t have to spit anything out. The tasting room just offers a small shot glass worth of Guinness to try, but that’s not the last time you can have Guinness at The Guinness Storehouse.

At the top of the Storehouse is The Gravity Bar, which has 360° views of Dublin. Everyone over the age of 18 with a tour ticket will get a free pint of Guinness, and those under 18 will get a complimentary soft drink. There is another bar on a lower floor that has different types of Guinness (that surprised me…I thought there was just one).

A view of Dublin including Phoenix Park from The Gravity Bar.

Tips for Your Visit

This is the most popular tourist attraction in Dublin. It will be busy. We were there on a Saturday, but if you can visit during the week it might be quieter (no guarantees on that).

Purchase your tickets online in advance. You’ll save 10% on the ticket price, and will be guaranteed a spot. If you don’t book online and it’s busy you may be turned away at the door.

You don’t have to be 18 to go on this tour, but you will need to be 18+ (with ID) to have any alcohol. Minors do need to be accompanied by an adult.

You get a complimentary pint of Guinness (or soft drink) at the gravity bar. Any other beverages will cost extra.

Give yourself at least an hour to do the tour.


Things To Know
The Guinness Storehouse is located at St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8. Map here. If you take the Red Luas Line the closest stop to get off at is James’s and then it’s about a 10-minute walk. Tickets for adults range from €14 to €20 depending on the time and day of the week you go. The Storehouse is open from 9:30 am with the last tour starting at 5 pm.
I paid for my own way to The Guinness Storehouse, and all opinions, words, and photos here are my own. This post has not been endorsed by anyone at The Work in Ireland Program nor anyone at Guinness.
If you’re looking to stay in Dublin you can book a hotel here.


Would you take a tour of the Guinness Storehouse?

7 thoughts on “The Guinness Storehouse Tour”

  1. Hi Alouise,

    It’s amazing. I am a tee totaller but when I drink beer it’s usually Guinness. One of the few beers I enjoy immensely. Just a 0-60 thing for me. I never drink, barely at all, and then I dive in with the most stout, strong, acquired taste of them all. Perhaps the Irish blood speaks out at times. Begging for a little soul brew to perk me up. Or to mellow me out. Not sure quite what the Big G does.

    Good sign off too. Drop that case o beer hint 😉

    Ryan

  2. Funny enough I’m not much of a drinker either (I’ve been in Ireland for 2 months and have had a grand total of 3 beers). However I did really enjoy the Guinness, and there’ll probably be a few more before I go home. Especially if Guinness is kind enough to send me a case 🙂

  3. It is quite an interesting post – whoa! I have never been to a distillery or even a storage center. It is totally a new place for me. It is also fun seeing the old advertisements 🙂

  4. Wow, my husband would love to go to this tour! My goodness, what interesting photos you have of the Storehouse Tour!

  5. I know the fish-on-the-bicycle quote from the old U2 song, “Tryin’ to Throw Your Arms Around the World”. I had no idea it was associated with Guinness! Makes sense, though, since U2 also is from Ireland.I am a self-proclaimed beer snob and would you believe I do not care for Guinness? I’d probably still visit the storehouse and go on the tour, though, if I ever get to Dublin.

  6. I am not a beer fan myself but beer and wine tours are always so interesting. I’ve already been to a few and a friend told me great things about the Guinness warehouse! So fun to see the whole process and try a different taste. It is one of the main attraction in Dublin for a reason! I am sure it is worth it even only for the 360 Bar!

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