Guinness Storehouse Brewery, Dublin, Ireland
I was excited to be visiting Ireland for the first time. I also knew that it would be an adventure with TBEX Europe. The journey started with an excellent introduction. My friends, other TBEX attendees, and I arrived in the early morning from the States and headed directly to the flat we found through Airbnb, which was in easy walking distance of the Guinness Storehouse. Unfortunately, we could not drop our bags at the flat until later that day. Our friendly cab driver suggested we check our bags at the Guinness check desk while we toured the Storehouse. This simple piece of information set our trip off on the right foot.
Honestly, I tried Guinness in the US some years ago and was not impressed. How wrong I had been! Guinness is fantastic! In Ireland, they control the brewing process and presentation, which is fantastic.
One of my fellow travelers had arranged tickets for the Guinness tour. You can choose either the standard or connoisseur experience (which includes the tour and the tasting experience in a private bar). There is a charge for the tours, either self-guided or guided. Guests learn about the barley, hops, and water used to make the beer, the fermentation temperature, and the process that produces the delicious caramel-colored concoction. Throughout the building, there are displays on transportation and advertising, and it also includes four restaurants.
For a small additional charge, you may attend the Guinness Academy. There you will learn to pour your own perfect pint under the direction of a master. I recommend this addition as you learn that the beer presentation is part of the Guinness experience. After your successful pour, you can take your pint and climb to the Gravity bar for a panoramic view of the city. What an introduction to Dublin and all before 11 in the morning!
Arthur Guinness bought the old brewery in 1759 and signed a nine-thousand-year lease. The lease is on display for all visitors to see upon entry.
The Storehouse was built in 1904 and served as a fermentation plant until the 1980s. It is a seven-floor building of displays, with much to read and learn about the process of creating Ireland’s best-loved beer. By 1824, Guinness was known worldwide, and by 1833, Guinness was the largest brewery in Ireland.
The Harp, the symbol of Guinness, is prominently displayed on each glass, and you can even play it. The Harp was imprinted on the first bottle of Guinness in 1862. The Irish Government later adopted the symbol as its official government symbol.
By 1886, Guinness was a publicly traded company and had become the world’s largest brewery. By 1929, 2 million pints were sold daily, and by 1950, 5 million pints were sold daily. In 2000, the Guinness Storehouse opened to the public. By 2008, 10 million pints were being enjoyed daily.
For the record, there are approximately 198 calories in a pint of Guinness, and it is the best-selling stout in the world.
Guinness can be found in nearly every country, and I doubt it will ever be overtaken in its’ homeland. It is truly Ireland’s home brew.
