BEER TOURS · BREWERY TOURS IN IRELAND
Good brewery tours in Ireland fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
You’ll tour Dublin’s seven-story Guinness Storehouse at St. James’s Gate on your own, from ingredients and brewing to famous advertising. Finish with a Guinness or soft drink at the Gravity Bar, where clear-day views reach across Dublin. Allow at least two hours, and more if you want to linger.
“A very enjoyable time in the Guinness Store house, lots to see and do! Very visual”
Explore Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse at your own pace across seven floors of brewing history, advertising, tastings, and interactive displays. Finish with one pint of Guinness or a soft drink in the Gravity Bar, where floor-to-ceiling windows offer wide views over Dublin. No live guide leads this visit.
“This facility is a must due even if your not a beer drinker it was festive due to the December Holiday season, also it had great interactive technology. Book in advance lines get long.”
Visit Jameson Bow St. and Guinness Storehouse in one half-day tour with an English-speaking guide. Taste Jameson whiskey, enjoy a Guinness pint, walk through Dublin’s Liberties, and finish with 360-degree city views from Gravity Bar. Guides such as Fergus, Richard, Miriam, and Sean have earned strong praise.
“Richard was such a friendly and knowledgeable guide for our first day in Dublin. I loved the small group and the perks of having a scheduled group and skipping the lines for tour tickets was great! Would definitely recommend for a short tour :)”
Use the Big Bus to reach Dublin sights such as Trinity College, Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, and the Guinness Storehouse. Your package includes fast-track Guinness entry, a pint in the Gravity Bar, live commentary, and 24 or 48 hours on the route. Check your separate Guinness ticket before leaving the bus.
“The Guinness experience was fantastic. It was an amusement ride meets science museum experience. Something for everyone! Worth the money!”
Pair Dublin’s Big Bus hop-on hop-off route with priority entry to Guinness Storehouse. Your self-guided visit covers seven floors and ends at Gravity Bar with Guinness, Guinness 0.0, or a soft drink. Live bus guides such as Brian, Jimmy, Michael, and Anne add local stories along the way.
“Fun way to see the city. The guides were all great and shared different stories about the areas you were travelling by so if you took the tour for more than one day you were learning new things.”
In a private fourth-floor bar at Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse, a trained Guinness Connoisseur leads you through Draught, Original, Foreign Extra Stout, and Brewers Project. You will learn the proper pour, sample each style, and finish with a full pint and city views from the Gravity Bar.
“The whole experience was a delightful afternoon spent. Kevin who educated us on the Guinness varieties that are exported around the world and gave us inside stories couldn’t have been any better in his role.”
Spend four hours with a local guide exploring the Guinness Storehouse, the Liberties, Molly Malone, Trinity College, and the Book of Kells. Skip-the-line Guinness entry, a Gravity Bar pint, and timed Book of Kells access are included. The walk ends near Dawson Street’s pubs and restaurants.
“Book of Kells. Tour would have been better if it ended at Guinness Brewery instead of started there. 10 a.m. a little early to visit a brewery.”
Start with 90 minutes at the Guinness Storehouse, then meet guides such as Denis, Keith, Ken, or Paul for a private Dublin pub tour. Travel past the Liffey, Croke Park, and the GPO before visiting several local pubs and learning how to pour a proper Guinness.
“This was a wonderful experience. Our tour guide Denis took up to 4-famously renowned pubs in Dublin. We had a pint of beer at each stop followed by a great history lesson. We got to learn how to properly pour Guinness beer. I would highly recommend this tour.”
Join a small English-language group for Guinness history, a pint at Gravity Bar, Irish whiskey tasting, and a Roe & Co cocktail workshop. Guides such as Dermot, Emmet, Maura, and Roger add local stories, while the route includes considerable walking over cobbles, hills, and stairs.
“Our tour guide Mora, was fantastic! She rushed us through the boring parts and cut the lines for us so that we were able to stratify the experience! Definitely choose a personalized tour, as it will save you time and skip the boring areas. Get certified to pour Guinness and make sure to spend some quality time at the 360° rooftop bar. The crowds are definitely intense, but with five stories, it doesn’t feel as bad as it could.”
Start at Jameson Bow St. with an English-speaking guide, a three-whiskey comparison, and a Jameson cocktail. Ride the Luas to Guinness Storehouse, explore its seven floors with audio guidance, and finish with a Guinness at the Gravity Bar. Guides such as Niall and Caroline bring Dublin’s drink story to life.
“Absolutely amazing and in depth tour. Our guide was called Niall and he was fantastic, so enthusiastic and passionate about his job and the places he was talking about. 10/10 would recommend, it’s better than doing it yourself”
At Rascals HQ in Inchicore, an English-speaking guide takes you from the brewery story to the Malt Room and brewhouse. Taste malted barley, smell the hops, see brewing art installations, and finish with four 190ml core beers. The 45-minute tour ends at the taproom.
Spend four hours with an English-speaking guide such as Dermot or Malene, visiting Guinness Storehouse and Roe & Co Distillery. Taste whiskey, make a cocktail, walk Dublin’s historic whiskey quarter, and finish with a Guinness in Gravity Bar. Comfortable shoes are essential.
“Had an amazing time on our tour with Malene. She was honestly the BEST tour guide we have ever had - informative, charming and funny. The entire experience was essentially akin to having a new friend show us around Dublin. We were partially hungover from a wedding the day before and she was completely on it - keeping the tour relaxed and checking in often- at one point she even got us salt and vinegar chips when we weren’t feeling well to help us feel better. Highly recommend her! Also, both the tour of the Guinness Storehouse and Roe & Co was very informative - while everyone is more familiar…”
Join an English-speaking guide such as Seamus, Noel, Mick, or Fergie for a four-hour Dublin walk linking Jameson Bow St., the Brazen Head, and Guinness Storehouse. Timed entry, Jameson samples, a whiskey drink, and a Gravity Bar pint are included.
“We had a great time learning about the history of both the Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Storehouse. Noel was a wonderful guide and had a great deal of knowledge that he shared with us! I would highly recommend the tour!”
Join a small group in Kilkenny at 11 a.m. for a food-and-history walk led by guides such as Carla or Kieran. Taste Irish cheese, sausage rolls, seafood or chowder, Smithwick’s beer, handmade chocolates, and Irish coffee, with the brewery visit possibly adding an extra hour.
“Carla was such an amazing guide! She really loves her town and it shows. She was super knowledgeable and passionate! She is hands down our favorite guide we have ever had. The places she took us were fun and yummy! We loved all the Kilkenny facts and exploring the area with someone like her. Must do while in Kilkenny if you love food and adult beverages.”
Start with a self-guided Guinness Storehouse visit and a Gravity Bar drink, then meet your guide outside for three traditional Dublin pubs. A group of up to eight enjoys three included Guinness pints, a pouring lesson, live Irish music, and luxury transport.
“It was a wonderful experience for me and my wife. We learn so much about Guinness and also we learn how to pour a perfect pint. Special thanks to our driver Paul and our guide the most handsome guy Ken.”
