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Irish Daily Mirror

Guinness Storehouse visit is the best day out in Dublin bar none

I recently came across something more rare than the recent good weather we've been enjoying here — not one, not two, but THREE Irish adults who had never done a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. This is an experience I assumed every Irish person of a certain age has done at least once before so it was a shock — and, as it happens, a welcome surprise in the end — to find someone who had never been before. This gave me the perfect excuse to visit the Storehouse, and enjoy new additions — like the STOUTie Experience — which have been added since my last visit as well as take in the experience with fresh eyes, courtesy of my friend who was popping his Storehouse cherry. READ MORE: The Club House Hotel is like stepping through the wardrobe at Narnia READ MORE: Europe's cheapest city breaks where a 3 course meal with wine costs just €27 For me, this has always been the best day out in Dublin — indeed it was named World's Leading Beer Tour Visitor Attraction 2024 and the World's Leading Tourist Attraction 2023 — and so it never surprises me to see queues outside the famous gates as hordes of tourists fill the premises at St. James's Gate in Dublin 8. And on this particular Saturday, a sunny afternoon in mid-July, the Storehouse was busier than I had ever seen it before, with a great buzz about the place as tourists from all over (though you'll hear American accents at every turn!) experienced the history, heart, and soul of Ireland's most iconic beer. The Storehouse is built over seven floors, which wind around a glass atrium that is shaped in the form of a pint of Guinness — don't forget to look up when you're starting your tour to see the iconic Guinness-shaped glass. Visual representations of how the brewing process works You can tour the Storehouse yourself or take a guided tour — having done both, I'd recommend doing a self-guided tour which gives you plenty of time to take in the experience at your leisure while still enjoying the behind-the-scenes look at the craft of brewing a perfect pint, with incredible visual representations of the process that will leave you enthralled. But the Storehouse is also about so much more than just the brewing, you'll also explore an exhibition and cinema room dedicated to vintage Guinness advertising — 'My Goodness, my Guinness' is the one I grew up with while my granny always reeled off the 'Guinness is good for you' as she downed another glass of the black stuff — read stories about staff who have worked in Guinness over the years as well as locals who remember the earlier days of the factory, which dates back over 265 years. This experience is truly all immersive, and that's before you even get into the more tailored packages Guinness has introduced over recent years. So while visitors may be eager to get to the famous Gravity Bar on the seventh floor, to enjoy unparalleled panoramic 360 degree views of Dublin city, don't be in a rush — there is so much to see and do here. On top of the standard experience, guests can — and should — partake in the Academy experience, where you'll learn how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness and even leave with your very own certificate to print off when you get home. And you'll have to forgive me for bragging, but we nailed this part of the tour and I WILL be proudly displaying my certificate at home. We were joined in our 'class' by a group of excitable Americans who really livened up our day as we guzzled down the fruits of our labour. The STOUTie experience is a must The best part of the day, though, for me was the STOUTie experience. For just €8, you can have your picture taken and then observe, and film for that all-important Instagram story, as your image is etched onto the head of a perfectly-poured pint of Guinness. I've never been much of a Guinness drinker — in fact, I've only ever tried one pint before, in the Gravity Bar no less — but the pint in the STOUTie experience was far nicer than I remember the Black stuff being. My friend, who is a Guinness drinker, commented that it was the best pint he'd ever had. We didn't do it on this visit but you can also do the Guinness Brewery Experience, where visitors can journey through the working brewery itself as well as the tunnels underground. Or try the Connoisseur Experience as a Guinness beer specialist will reveal the nuances, distinct aromas and flavours of famous Guinness varieties before letting you taste them all for yourself. In between all this, there's also the coffee shop on the first floor to take a breather, gift shop to take home some precious mementos from your visit as well as 1837 Bar & Brasserie, the restaurant you don't want to not visit! I've eaten here once before — during the, whisper it, pandemic — but there is a new menu that I think is even better than the previous one. And the cocktails? Sublime! We tucked into a 10oz ribeye with Roe & Co. pepper sauce and chunky chips and a grilled chicken Caesar salad with pancetta and it was all absolutely delicious — and washed down with another creamy pint in the Gravity Bar. The food and cocktails at 1837 Brasserie & Bar is delicious It may have been surprising to find an adult who hasn't enjoyed this experience before, but one thing's for sure, it's not surprising that this is still the best day out in Dublin for adults. Bravo Guinness! BOOK IT The Guinness Storehouse opens Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 9.30am to 5pm, and Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 6pm. There are extended summer opening hours from July to September, with last entry at 6:45pm. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.