If you visit Dublin and you don’t visit the Guinness Storehouse, you might as well run your passport through the shredder and just stay home.
It’s one of those stops that sounds like a tourist trap, and it likely is.
But when you’re actually inside I think that you’ll agree with us -this is the best brewery tour we’ve done anywhere in the world.
Even though there’s no actual brewing happening here.
It’s much closer to an Epcot attraction than anything else – well-designed, immersive, and interesting enough to keep you from rushing through to get to the creamy pints at the end.
The Storehouse sits right at St. James’s Gate, which has been the entrance to the Guinness complex since Arthur Guinness signed his famous 9,000-year lease back in 1759. Yes, nine thousand years. The man was not hedging his bets.
The brewing process is broken down in a way that even the non-beer-nerds in the group can appreciate. Four simple ingredients, clean and bold signage everywhere in Guinness’s signature black and white, and enough interesting displays to keep you occupied between sips.
The hop garden exhibit is particularly well done, as well as the barrel-making section.
The advertising history section was one of our favorite parts.
Guinness has been around long enough that their old ads look like they belong in a time capsule, and not always in a flattering way – let’s just say marketing sensibilities have evolved considerably.
That said, some of the classic campaigns actually do hold up surprisingly well and there’s a real artistry to how the brand built its identity over more than a century.
One fun historical footnote: the iconic Guinness harp that appears on everything from the bottles to the signage was first officially used in 1876. When the Irish Free State was choosing its national symbols in 1922, they also landed on the harp – though Guinness had gotten there first, so the orientations are actually mirrored to keep things legally distinct. It’s one of those "huh, I didn’t know that" moments that you only get from actually doing the tour.
The whole thing wraps up with a pint at one of the several restaurants and bars at the top, where you get a 360-degree view over Dublin that’s honestly worth the price of admission on its own. We walked through the popular Gravity Bar on the top floor for the views, but quickly headed down one level to find quieter, less-crowded seating.
The beer tastes better here too, though that might just be the setting doing some of the work.
Either way, this is an absolute must-do in Dublin even if you don’t like beer – yes it’s a bit Disney-like, but it’s a cultural experience well worth your time.
Vathouse No 4
These vat houses were originally used for mass storage of beer for final maturation.
St James Gate
One of the gates leading into the Guinness complex
What Clydesdales?
Budweiser has the Clydesdales, but Guinness apparently has horses that actually like the beer. It’s not a great shot, but I had to keep it because of the tongue.
The Front Gate
The front gates at the entrance to the Guinness Storehouse
Four Simple Ingredients
The tour has many simple yet effective signs like this that draw on the distinctive black and white synonymous with the brand.
The Hop Garden
They’ve done a great job making the tour like an Epcot or Disney experience.
Liquid Nitrogen
I’m sure these are just displays and not the actual storage containers, but they’re still pretty cool looking.
Sign Me Up
That’s a lot of beer… The barrel-making section is very cool, they didn’t just make the beer.
Classic Advertising
They definitely had different tastes in advertising back in the day
Tick Followed Tock
Part of their classic advertising
Is It Random?
I’m not sure what this artwork is or if it is related to their advertising, but it makes a great photo either way.
Est’d 1759
The Guinness Harp, first used in 1876. The Irish Free State also chose the harp as their symbol in 1922 and it remains on the Republic of Ireland’s National coat of arms to this day.
Guinness Storehouse Water Display
A pretty amazing Waterjet display inside the Guinness Storehouse tour
