The Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Brewery is one of the largest and most famous in the entire world. Founded by Arthur Guinness at the ramshackle site of the old St. James Gate Brewery in 1759, it has become one of the most well known and prosperous corporations in Ireland. The company is widely recognized for its production of a distinctive dark stout with a thick, creamy head. Although the brewery itself is not open to visitors, the four story building next door, known as The Guinness Storehouse, contains a variety of visitor attractions.

The Guinness Hopstore houses the World of Guinness Exhibition, the Cooperage Gallery, and the Gilroy Gallery.

The exhibits include audiovisual and interactive presentations that draw the visitor into the center of the process of brewing and bottling from start to finish. They learn the complete process, including the reasons for the unique appearance and taste of the Guinness product, from a Master Brewer.

The Cooperage Gallery contains an interesting collection of tools used to build the storage casks formerly used in the brewery, and the Gilroy Gallery showcases examples of John Gilroy’s innovative graphic design.

The world’s largest glass of stout is also located on the premises, and stands over 200 feet high. If it were filled with Guinness beer, this amazing structure would contain 14.3 million pints. Its foamy head houses a restaurant as well as the Gravity Bar, providing patrons with spectacular views of the city of Dublin to enjoy while they drink their complimentary pint.

New features are being added to the Guinness experience, including the Taster’s Laboratory, where visitors will gain insight into the methodology of the professional tasters and get the opportunity to practice this coveted job. The additions will be ready at the start of 2006.