There's no middle ground when it comes to a pint of Guinness...you either love it or hate it. This dry, Irish stout has a distinct flavour that has been around since it's origin in 1759. The production of the "black stuff" takes place at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin. On a recent trip to Ireland, my sister and I visited The Guinness Storehouse, a building designed in the shape of a giant pint of Guinness. The 7-floor pint tells the history of what goes into making the world famous beer.
Beginning the self-tour on the ground floor, we saw the 9,000 year lease Arthur Guinness signed back in 1759. Making our way up the pint, we discovered how Guinness is brewed and stored and where it is sold around the world.
It was interesting to watch videos of the men making barrels and how important this job was. For nearly 200 years, these highly skilled craftsmen created barrels by hand. Referred to as "coopers" these men would spend years as an apprentice before honing their skill. Unfortunately, they became a dying breed with the introduction of stainless steel barrels.
On the 3rd floor, we visited the tasting room. If you've never enjoyed Guinness, you will learn to appreciate the flavours and blend that go in every glass. Made from yeast, barley, water, roasted malt extract and hops, Guinness is often referred to as a "meal in a glass". We entered the Velvet Chamber, where the lights were dimmed, we were given a tiny pint sized glass of beer, and instructed to sniff first before tasting the beer, letting it rest in our mouth before swallowing it. This was my sister's first taste of Guinness!
Onto the next level, you see the variety of advertising Guinness has used over the world through the years.
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You could get your photo taken with
a number of the different ads. |
Who could forget the famous, "A Woman Needs a Man like a Fish Needs a Bicycle" ad? Irish band 'U2' also used the line in their song, "Tryin' to Throw Your Arms around the World".
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| You even leave with a certificate. |
The next level was perhaps my favourite. It was here we enjoyed the Connoisseur experience, and learned to pour a proper pint. First, you grab a room-temperature glass. You begin to pour at a 45° angle until the beer reaches the Harp level. Then you let the beer settle. Once it turns black, you pull the handle and fill the glass to the top. It should take 119.5 seconds to pour a Guinness. You need patience when ordering this beer! 🍺
When you are finished pouring the perfect pint, you take the elevator up to the Gravity Bar where you can enjoy your drink while taking in the amazing panoramic views of Dublin. You will see landmarks such as St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College and Croke Park. When you exit, you go through the gift shop where you can purchase your own Guinness pint glasses, BBQ sauce, t-shirts and other goods.
If you ever find yourself in Dublin, a trip to the Guinness Storehouse is a must. Even if you don't like the beer, you will come to appreciate it and all the work that goes into making this brew. Besides, it tastes much better in Ireland. SLIANTE!
Stay tuned for some more tales from my trip to the Emerald Isle 🍀.
~MT
On our second day in Ireland, while walking the streets of Dublin, we came across a lovely pub, The Ferryman Townhouse. An old Georgian building that overlooks the River Liffey, this charming pub looked inviting. Music could be heard from the sidewalk and when we opened the door, wonderful scents from the carvery greeted us.
