Dublin: Next Stop, Guinness
If I can convince you to do anything at all, it’s this. BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE GUINNESS STOREHOUSE ONLINE BEFORE YOU GET THERE. I’m telling you, the line had several HUNDRED people there. It would have taken us over two hours to get inside. However, since yours truly actually had the foresight to buy the tickets in advance, we simply bypassed the entire line, went to customer service where we waited 2 minutes, and went inside. Let me tell you, there were some dirty looks thrown our way. And yes, we gloated. I’m not ashamed to admit it.
My husband is the Guinness afficionado. Personally, I think it tastes like you’re drinking watered hay. But to each, his own. They give you a plastic disk with a droplet of Guinness frozen inside, as your ticket. You also get a plastic ring token to exchange for a free drink (either Guinness or soft drink) of your choice.
The Guinness tour is self-guided. The bottom floor begins with a huge flat of barley kernels which have been partially roasted. You can taste the roasted kernels if you wish. Further on is a waterfall, to show the purity of water and a display of hop vines. They look realistic but are made of silk. Like most brews, the kernels are crushed and mixed with water to form a mash. Yeast is added, and the fermentation begins.
You go through multiple levels of the building during tour, including escalators and elevators. It’s more of a museum and not a building where they actually make the Guinness (for health and sanitary reasons). There’s an area where you can taste a small sample of Guinness after you go through each of the levels. I’d recommend it to see if you like Guinness (I didn’t). There’s an area where you can pour your own Guinness. There’s an art to it, apparently, where you pour it halfway and let it settle. Then you pour it the remainder of the way and you’re supposed to wait again for the foam to be just right. You can actually watch the bubbles rising and settling while you wait. At the top floor, there’s a bar where you can see the entire cityview. It’s really pretty. I went ahead and got my free pint of Guinness, which I tasted and then handed the rest to my husband. Poor man, he had to suffer.
The entire tour took about two hours. As we walked out, I’m sure some of the poor folks who had to wait in line were just getting inside. Overall, it’s a fun way to spend the afternoon. Did I mention you should BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE??
So, have you ever tasted Guinness? Did you like it?
Better question–have you tasted Bulmer’s (also known as Magner’s Cider)? Now THAT is a drink that’s tasty. 
Michelle posted in Ireland Tales @ 6:18 pm | Viewed 4224 times
Kelly Says:
I’m not even going to ask how you know what watered hay tastes like…:shock:
beth Says:
I so adore Guinness I can’t even begin to speak. Mmmmm….How can you not like it? *sigh* Though I will say, after having it at the factory and in Ireland elsewhere, well, it tastes different in the states. Still good, but not as good.
I will caveat your advice to buy in advance with “Go to Ireland off season if you can.” Cause we were two of maybe 15 people in the factory when we went.
The weather is still really nice in September and starts to be nice toward the end of February/early March and you get to beat all the lines. Some things aren’t open in the Feb/March timeframe, but in September we didn’t run into anything closed.
Anyway, never have tried Bulmer’s but I’m guessing I would like it.
Stacy Says:
My father-oin-law is a big Guinness drinker!
Larissa Says:
I drink it, but I have to be in the mood. Or there’s no other beer…
Rene Says:
This would have been my first stop. I like Guinness although I prefer others. I love watching the brewing process. And yes, I knew about the pouring rituals, I watch hubby do it all the time.
Melissa Mc Says:
Hubby loves Guinness. It’s a little too heavy for me.
Thanks for the tip about online tix. If we ever make it back over to Ireland, I’ll know what to do.
Teresa Says:
I LOVE Guiness
Especially when it’s on tap. Yummmmm. Will keep in mind to BUY TICKETS FIRST - I know my dh would love to see the brewery! He used to brew his own, but now we’re watching our waistlines a little more closely (age will do that *g*) we can’t possibly drink it nearly quickly enough to make it worthwhile.
LauraP Says:
Guinness isn’t my thing. I love hard cider though, so I suspect I’d like Bulmer’s.