Mmmmm Guinness! (Guiness Brewery)

Member Name: Lools_24

Product:	Guiness Brewery
Date:	11/03/09 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gravity Bar, Views over Dublin, steeped with history

Disadvantages: Third and fifth floor sparse of exhibits

My review of Dublin airport outlined my nightmare travel incident as part of a recent trip to Dublin. As part of the trip to Dublin my boyfriend and I visited the Guinness Storehouse and had a fantastic time.

**Location**
The Guinness Storehouse is located in St James Gate Dublin. It's a 20-minute walk from the heart of Dublin City Centre. Alternatively you can get the bus, which takes 10 minutes. My boyfriend and I decided to walk... and then it started to snow. Despite the blizzard and Artic like conditions we were able to find the place as it is signposted all of the way from the City Centre.

**Price**
Admission price per adult is 15 euros. Included in the admission price is:

Entrance ticket
Storehouse guide map
Complimentary pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar
Car Parking

It does seem reasonably expensive but you will spend a minimum of two hours inside looking around.

**History**
In 1759, at the age of 34, Arthur Guinness signed a 9000-year lease for the St. James's Gate Brewery, Dublin, at an annual rent of £45. The Storehouse focuses on the History of Guinness and how it has evolved into a global brand.

What I found really interesting was finding out how the Guinness brand has established and grown since it was set up in 1759 . What amazed me was the global sales and brewing of Guinness in countries that you would not expect. I visited Tanzania last year and was amazed at the poverty and how basic the standards of living were. . Learning that actual Guinness was brewed in Tanzania rather than exported was quite a novelty to me and I just couldn't believe that Guinness is brewed, sold and bought in a country which many people have to walk miles for drinking water!!

**The Storehouse**

The Storehouse itself is quite modern despite being in the middle of the St James Brewery site. The Storehouse itself is a former fermentation plant on the site and is constructed to be in the shape of a pint. The visitors centre is very touristy, and shiny for being in such an old building and does have a modern and light feel rather than a crumbly old stuffy museum type building and is set over seven floors.

Ground Floor
The ground floor is where you are introduced to the four ingredients found in Guinness- water, barley, hops and yeast. The water section is excellent and there is a huge water feature demonstrating what goes on in the brewing process, which you can get up close to. There is also a large gift shop on this floor selling various branded souvenirs.

First Floor

The virtual master brewer guides you step by step through the Brewing Process. Up to 100 visitors each week will be able to Start the Brew themselves by operating a computer that is scheduled on the same timetable as the brew house. On the same floor, you will find a state of the art Tasting Laboratory. In the tasting Laboratory you get a sample of Guinness. Both my boyfriend and I thought that it didn't taste as nice as the Guinness served in the Gravity Bar on Seventh Floor. You will also find the Transport Exhibit, the Craft of the Cooper, and tales about Guinness abroad.

Second Floor
This floor includes the history of Guinness Advertising and all the associated branded memorabilia from over the years. The various TV ads are shown on screens too.

Fifth Floor
The Source Bar is an artistically designed bar. Beside this, the Brewery Bar is an informal and relaxing place to dine while at the Guinness Storehouse. Enjoy traditional Irish cuisine with traditional Irish recipes that use Guinness as a defining ingredient

Third Floor
This is an interactive exhibit which lets you look at your own drinking habits and promotes the dangers of binge drinking. This floor is quite empty and not so interesting as previous exhibits on lower floors.

Fourth Floor
There is exhibits on this floor which shows the history of the Storehouse building from 1904 to when it was made into a visitor attraction in 2000.

Fifth Floor
The Source Bar and the Brewery Bar are located on this floor. You can find traditional Irish cuisine using Guinness or go for a drink.

Seventh Floor- Gravity Bar
This is where you will receive your complimentary pint of GUINNESS. Panoramic views across Dublin. Really nice place to sit and chill with a pint of Guinness (or a soft drink). The views are brilliant. Unfortunately when we visited there was a huge snow storm which limited the views due to near blizzard conditions. However when the weather cleared up a bit we still had fantastic views. On a clear day this would be even better.

**Overall**

I'm not usually a fan of brewery tours; however I found the Guinness Storehouse to be an excellent attraction to go and see. I like the fact that although there are a number of talks going on this is not a guided tour so you can go at your own pace. The history of the place is brilliant and despite this being a building built over a hundred years ago the place has a very modern feel yet I don't feel this affects the authenticity and historical feel. The fifth and third floor do seem slightly sparse in comparison to the other floors in terms of exhibits hence the reason for my 4 star rating. Even if you don't like Guinness the Gravity Bar is a must for the sights over Dublin. A definite must see attraction if you are visiting Dublin.

Summary: A must see when visiting Dublin