Guinness Tour Review: You Need to do this Surprising Experience

If you only have time for one big activity in Dublin make sure you visit the Guinness Storehouse. I share why in my full Guinness tour review. 

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Guinness Tour Review: What is the Guinness Storehouse?

The Guinness Storehouse is the home to the world famous Guinness Brewery. Even if you were somehow not familiar with Guinness before arriving in Ireland you will be once you land.  It’s impossible to miss the Guinness signs and artwork in or outside just about every bar, not only in Dublin, but around the country.  The Storehouse is a special immersive experience that walks you through the brewing process and explains what makes Guinness so unique.  The Storehouse is part of the St James’s Gate Brewery, an area that Arthur Guinness first leased in 1759. 

Guinness Tour Review: What makes this experience so special?

As an art major and art history minor, I LOVE a good museum experience.  Art, history, industry, you name it I’m open to it.  I have visited hundreds of museums throughout my lifetime and this experience is on par with some of the best museums in the world. While it is considered a “tour” or “experience”, it is basically an interactive Guinness museum. 

Guinness Tour Review note: You do not have to drink (or even like) beer to enjoy this tour. It is extremely well designed while also being informative. 

The standard tour format

The “tour” is self guided through multiple floors of visuals that walk through the brewing process from start to finish.  Guinness only uses 4 ingredients, water, barley, hops, and yeast, but the way they use and process those ingredients determines how the beer is made and tastes.  Not only that, but the recipe hasn’t changed in over 200 years.  The only major changes have been to improvements in brewing technology, and the addition of nitrogen gas. 

As you go through the space there is an interactive exhibit for each ingredient and each step of the brewery process. This includes barreling and transportation of the beer. Ireland has a rich history of coopering (wood barrel making) as the barrels are used for both beer and whiskey. 

As you move through the tour you will continue up through the building.  There are add on experiences such as specialty tastings, as well as a free guided tasting.  

One of the last exhibits prior to arriving at the gravity bar, is showcasing the iconic history of the Guinness branding and advertising. This is complete with picture perfect instagrammable moments. 

Enjoy a guided beer tasting

There is a free guided tasting included in the cost of the tour.  You will see a waiting area on either floor 4 or 5 for the tasting (there is a staff member to ask if you can’t find it). The tasting takes about 10 minutes in total.  First your group will enter a room that has a bar and 4 large round white pillars in the middle of the room. Each pillar has a different fragrance associated with the beer wafting out of them Willy Wonka style. There is a guide that will explain the tasting process before handing out tiny samples and moving the group into a second room. 

Next you’ll learn the history of the Guinness founder, the family, and the proper way to taste this beer.  It’s not meant for delicate sipping, instead you take a “generous mouthful” and swirl before swallowing to get the full flavor of the beer. 

Have a pint at the Gravity Bar

The self guided tour also includes a full size complimentary pint of Guinness that you enjoy in the rooftop bar.  The bar is located on the top floor of the building and offers 360 degree unobstructed views of Dublin.  There are two different bar areas, both of which have floor to ceiling windows.  The interiors are designed with a fun Guinness garden party theme.  

This bar is bumping!  During the busier tourist months expect the bar area to be full with limited seating and standing room. This is especially true at the end of the day where people hang for a pint (or two) after their tours. 

How do you get to Guinness Storehouse Dublin?

The Guinness factory is located in The Liberties neighborhood of Dublin.  This is south of the river and west of Trinity and Temple Bar. From those more central areas of town, expect it to take anywhere from 20-30 minutes depending on your mode of transportation. 

If the weather is nice, and you have time to spare, take a leisurely walk along Thomas Street.  Dublin overall is very flat which makes the city very walkable.  

Public transportation is abundant in Dublin. There are buses and trams throughout the city center.  A one way ticket in cash is €2 per person, or €1.50 if you have the app on your phone.  To get to or from Guinness Dublin, you can take the 13, 123, G1, G2 or S2 buses to James street.  From the bus stop, the brewery entrance is a short 5 minute walk. 

If time is an issue and you aren’t as concerned about budget, order an Uber from the app.  They have options for taxis and town cars. 

To Have the Best Vacation, Skip Driving in Dublin

Guinness Tour Review: What to know before you tour the Storehouse?

This experience is very popular!  Days and times will sell out, particularly in peak summer months.  You are able to book ahead 3-4 months in advance, with the flexibility to adjust your booking 24 hours prior to your tour.  I was able to book my mid-week tour the day of, in the middle of September.  However, you may not be that lucky on a Saturday in July. 

The tour takes place entirely inside, so no need to worry about layers or what to wear with the exception of comfortable shoes.  You’ll be walking and standing for anywhere from 60 minutes to two hours. 

Tours and Fees

Tickets start at €22 on the website, but they only offer a limited number of discounted tickets in advance for mid-week days and times.  Realistically you will pay €26 for mid-week and €30 for weekends. Purchase Guinness Storehouse tickets directly here.

During the week, timeslots start at 10am with the last available start time at 4:45pm.  On Saturdays and Sundays, timeslots start at 9:30am, and run until 5:45 on Saturday and 4:45pm on Sunday.

I did the last Tuesday time slot, and it was great because there aren’t people coming in after you, but the building also isn’t closing down right away.  This means you have plenty of time to enjoy the space and experience without feeling rushed or crowded. Plus you feel better about enjoying a pint at 6pm than at 11am. 

Overall I recommend planning 90 minutes to walk through the exhibits and enjoy your tastings.  However, if you plan to do any of the premium experiences, they recommend allotting 3 hours. 

Premium Experience Options

Whether you love Guinness or if you’re just a beer connoisseur, you can dive in even further with a premium tour experience.  On top of taking additional time, they have an additional price ranging anywhere from €45 to €350 per person. Some of the options include expanded history and beer tastings, a whiskey tasting at the adjacent Roe & Co Distillery or the “ultimate” experience with a behind the scenes brewery tour.  These tours are all 18+ whereas the standard tour allows children. 

Hop on Hop off Tours

Some of the hop on hop off tours also have an option to include the Guinness Storehouse tour in addition to your Dublin sightseeing tour.  This offers the benefit of including your transportation to and from the brewery while also allowing you to see and learn more about the city at the same time.

A Summary of my Guinness Tour Dublin Review

This experience is perfect for anyone that wants a more interactive and visual history of one of the most important exports in Irish history.  This is the most in depth brewery exhibit and history you will find, that is also visually stunning.  It perfectly blends the tradition of the craft and the charm of the brand. 

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