When you think of Ireland, one of the first things that will probably come to mind is beer.

Ireland is known for their beer culture. One of the most iconic Irish beer brands of all?

Guinness

So it probably comes as no surprise that there’s a place in Dublin where Guinness fans, beer lovers, and just about anyone can come and pay homage to Ireland’s most beloved drink.

Welcome to the Guinness Storehouse!

History of the Guinness Storehouse

The history of beer in Ireland is long. Some say beer-making in Ireland even dates back to the Bronze Age!

Beer in the Middle Ages was largely brewed by monks and women, but it was in the 18^th century that modern commercial brewing began, thanks to innovations in refrigeration, pasteurization, and transportation.

Enter Arthur Guinness, who in 1759 signed a 9,000-year lease for a brewery located at St. James’s Gate. He initially brewed ales before switching to porters and the Guinness brand was born. Today, you can enjoy Guinness in over 120 countries.

The Guinness Storehouse was opened in 2000. It has since become one of Dublin’s most popular tourist attractions, welcoming some 20 million visitors since first opening its doors. Even Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II visited the Storehouse on her visit to Ireland in 2011 – although, unlike untold numbers of other visitors, she didn’t enjoy a pint.

Guinness Facts

Interested in some facts about Guinness?

• According to a study commissioned by Guinness, every year over 160,000 pints of Guinness beer are trapped in facial hair.
• The Irish government uses a harp as one of the country’s national symbols. However, the official harp is left-facing so as not to infringe on the copyright of Guinness’s right-facing harp.
• The Guinness Book of World is related to the Guinness beer brand. The book was conceived as a reference book to solve arguments in pubs – inspired by a real-life argument. The first book was published in 1955.
• The top 3 Guinness consuming nations are, in descending order: the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Nigeria

Visiting the Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse is an interactive experience spread out over 7 floors. (There are escalators and elevators to help you get through it all.)

Lower ground level: This is where you’ll buy your tickets.

Ground level: There’s a lot packed into this level. There’s the store, where you can pick up your merch and souvenirs. There’s also the copy of the 9,000-year lease granted to Arthur Guinness for use of the site. Next you’ll be introduced to the main ingredients found in beer – malt, hops, yeast, and water. Finally, you’ll get to know a little bit more about Arthur Guinness and his family, which included 10 surviving children.

First floor: The first floor walks you through more of the beer making process and distribution. One of my personal favorites is the exhibition on cooperage, the making of the barrels that were historically used to transport the beer. No seriously, don’t miss it.

Second floor: This is where the tasting experience is found, where you get to smell the aromas of the beer.

Third floor: One of the most popular floors, this is where you can walk through the history of Guinness advertising. Guinness was the first brewery to do a modern advertising campaign and these classic ads left an imprint on the imaginations of those who lived through them.

Fourth floor: If you purchased the Guinness Academy experience, where you learn how to properly pour a pint, or the Stoutie experience, where you can get a beer with your selfie on the head, here’s where you’ll do that.

Fifth floor: There are a few restaurants at the Storehouse and you’ll find them here. It’s a good option for lunch (which is what I did) or dinner.

Seventh floor: The tour culminates here, the Gravity Bar, where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Dublin while enjoying a pint of beer (included in the price of your ticket).

How to Visit the Guinness Storehouse – Practicalities

Location

St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H

Opening hours

9:30am to 5:00pm Sunday through Thursday

9:30am to 6:00pm Friday and Saturday

Opening hours subject to change.

How to get there

On foot: about a 30-minute walk west from College Green

By tram: Take the red line from Dublin city centre towards Tallght and get off at Fatima. From there, it’s about a 9-minute walk

By bus: Take the Number 123 bus to Steeven’s Lane. From there, it’s about a 5-minute walk

By Hop-on-Hop-off tour: Hop-on-Hop-off buses typically have a stop at the Guinness Storehouse

By car: There is limited free parking at Crane Street.

Tickets

From €26 per adult*, depending on the time of visit (weekdays are cheaper) and the type of experience

*For most accurate pricing, visit the Guinness Storehouse website

All tickets include:

• Self-guided tour
• Guinness Tasting Rooms
• Gravity Bar with pint of Guinness (or a soft drink)

Other experiences (which naturally increase the price of the ticket) include receiving an extra pint that includes your selfie on the head, learning how to pour a pint correctly, and enjoying a tasting paddle at the Home of Experimentation & Innovation.

Is booking in advance required? It’s certainly recommended, but not required. If you have a specific time you want to visit, booking in advance is recommended. Personally, I had no problem showing up and immediately getting a ticket, but I travelled during low season.

Recommended length of visit

About 90 minutes

Nearby

The Guinness Storehouse is only a 20–30-minute walk from many of Dublin’s main sights, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, and Dublin Castle.

Dublin’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head, is also nearby.

Will you be adding a visit to the Guinness Storehouse on your next trip to Ireland? Let me know in the comments!