Everyone knows that Guinness is synonymous with Ireland, so when in Guinness you definitely need to sip a few pints of it. Back home, I’ve never been a fan of Guinness but in Ireland it tastes much better. I think the shelf life isn’t as good, also Guinness is one that needs to be flowing through the taps frequently, which it is in Ireland. So from being fresh to being pumped through fresh taps, Guinness tastes smooth and great and was something I really enjoyed drinking. But not only do you need to taste some Guinness, when in Dublin going to the Guinness Storehouse is essential.
The Guinness Storehouse was once the Guinness Brewery’s fermentation plant, but is now a 7 story museum that tells the brand’s story; from the brew process all the way to the marketing. The Guinness Storehouse is rated as a top attraction in Dublin, and I like beer, so we had to go. But our trip to the storehouse wasn’t just for me, it is a sensory museum with lots of lights, animations and many things that are visually stimulating. It is family friendly and interactive; our daughter got in for free and there are lots of things to excite the kids including large model mascots, branding, lights, videos and sounds that make for a visually appealing experience.
Exhibits and Different Floors
When you enter you are amazed at the size and layout of the storehouse. It is open concept, where you can see up and down the 7 floors, and the architecture is cool too. There is a gift shop which sells all things Guinness including merchandise, Guinness flavored chocolate bars, Guinness flavored gravy and much more. And to top it off the prices aren’t that bad. We bought some gravy, chocolate and a wall decoration.
Throughout the museum we learned about the brewery process and what makes the recipe unique. This was a cool section of the museum, and the ingredients were lit up and displayed as large 3D models. We also learned about the barreling process, the marketing, and the brand itself. We watched old commercials and saw mascots from the earliest and most famous ads.
Then came the best part, the tasting process. We got to smell the different ingredients and then learn how to taste Guinness. Following that it was time for our complimentary drink in the Gravity Bar, in the 7th floor overlooking Dublin. The bar was nice, but it was packed and hard to get a seat. The view was cool, but to be honest the Dublin skyline isn’t anything special; but still it was nice to have a beer in a bar with panoramic views of the city.
Tickets, Costs and Final Thoughts
I was a bit disappointed because when booking the tickets, the website asks if you wanted to purchase an extra drink, in addition to the complimentary one, of course I said yes, even for the €6. But when I went to show my ticket at the Gravity Bar, they told me it was only for an extra soft drink. When booking, it was misleading and come on €6 for a soft drink is A LOT! So, that was a rip off, but at least I got an extra beer from my wife.
Besides the drink fiasco, all in all it was a good experience. The Guinness Storehouse wasn’t spectacular but was a go at your own pace and cool thing to experience while in Dublin. I like beer but am not crazy about learning about the brewing process, although the Guinness Storehouse shows and educates you in an interactive and visually stimulating way. Plus, Guinness is part of Ireland’s culture so to really immerse yourself in Dublin, it is something you must do. It cost about €30 a person but that wasn’t bad considering the included drink which was a nice way to conclude the tour, sipping a nice cold Guinness with panoramic views of Dublin.
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