This famous black dry stout is loved the world over, but legend has it that it never tastes as good as it does when it’s pulled on the Emerald Isle.
The story of Guinness began in 1759 when Arthur Guinness took a leap of faith, signing a 9,000-year lease at St. James’s Gate in Dublin, where he opened his brewery. Guinness first exported his ale 10 years later, shipping six-and-a-half barrels to Great Britain, and now, skipping ahead more than 250 years, the signature beer has become one of the most successful brands worldwide.
Whether you like the black stuff or not, a trip to Ireland is not complete without learning a bit about its most famous beverage and attempting to drink a pint! Here are some of our favorite ways to do that.
- Visit the Guinness Storehouse
Here you will learn how to make and pour Guinness like a pro before tasting a free pint in the Gravity Bar, where you will enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Dublin and the surrounding mountain range. The huge seven-story Guinness Storehouse, situated at the St. James’s Gate brewery, is Ireland’s number 1 visitor attraction, and is an important part of Dublin and Ireland’s history and heritage. It is like a Willy Wonka factory tour for beer-lovers, taking visitors into the heart of the world-famous Guinness brand and company, from its origins to its growth as a global brand.
2. Stay at the luxury Luggala Lodge
The 6,000-acre Luggala Estate, also known as the Guinness Estate, is hidden in an enchanting valley amid a dramatic wild landscape, encompassing emerald fields, shimmering waterfalls and the spectacular heather-laden Wicklow Mountains. Its luxury lodge was built in 1787 and was purchased by Ernest Guinness as a wedding present for his daughter Oonagh and her new husband in 1937. Oonagh Guinness turned the lodge into “the most decorative honeypot in Ireland”, attracting Dublin intelligentsia, literati, artists, actors, scholars and writers to her enticing little kingdom. For a glimpse into the life of the Guinness family in the early 1900s, guests can enjoy a unique and luxurious holiday experience at the stunning Luggala Lodge.
3. Discover the Irish Pub scene
For a much more casual and relaxed Guinness experience, there are endless choices of bars across Ireland to enjoy a pint or a few at some of its many cozy pubs. And if you ask some country locals, they will tell you that some of the best pints of Guinness are usually pulled in the quaintest of village pubs off the beaten trail by veteran barmen and barmaids. You can explore Ireland and its pub scene with a chauffeured tour organized by Isle Inn tours, or if you’d prefer to discover the islands hidden villages on your own, we can set you up with a self-drive car rental.
Contact us to organize your ideal trip to the Emerald Isle.
LINKS:
Luggala Lodge: http://www.luggala.com/
Guinness Storehouse: http://www.guinness-storehouse.com
