There are two very traditional Irish drinks: whiskey and beer.. You can't visit Ireland without drinking a glass of one and a pint of the other. Both are legendary drinks and the country is recognized internationally for the quality of some of its brands.
Personally, whiskey is not my thing, but I really like cold beer. Being in Dublin, anyway, I have done the two must-sees in this joyous experience: I have visited the Old Jameson Distillery and also the Guinness Storehouse. I think that if you like the vibe of going out to bars on these two walks you cannot escape. Nor will you. Then write down this guide to how to visit Jameson and Guiness in Dublin.
Irish whiskey
Actually the Irish don't write whiskey but whiskey and the word comes from an Anglicism derived from some ancient Celtic language for whiskey o water of life. There is another country famous for its whiskey, Scotland, but each has its own way of making and they are different.
El whiskey Irish it is distilled three times while the Scottish is done twice. In Ireland almost no peat is used for the process with the malt so the finish, the final flavor, is softer and not smoky as is common in Scottish whiskeys. Of course we can find some exceptions both in one and another country, but in general this is the case. Both are world famous but in business matters the men in tartan are better off as there are little more than a hundred distilleries there while whiskey distilleries in Ireland are fewer than ten.
The Old Jameson Distillery
The motto of this Irish distillery is Sine Metu, fearless. And it has maintained it since the founding of the company in 1780. The business was started by John Jameson upon landing in Dublin with a lot of passion and entrepreneurial vision. It was in everything from the first steps of the process to the glass bottle.
Today the distillery makes various types of whiskey: Jameson Original, Caskmates, Black Barrel, Gold Reserve, 12 Years Old, 18 years Old Limited Reserve and Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve. The Original has a triple distillation and is aged for a minimum of four years. It is a classic in its green bottle that has a certain very soft floral aroma, some wood and sweet notes, while on the palate it feels spicy, with vanilla, nutmeg and some sherry.
If you are in Dublin you can come to learn more about the most famous whiskey in Ireland. The Old Jameson Distillery is in smithfield since the XNUMXth century And you can go into the factory and try different types. Even there is a restaurant where you can have lunch and a gift shop with some cool Jameson tidbits and of course green bottles to take home with you. How is the guided tour?
It's a hike that allows you to go back a few centuries and learn about the history of the distillery itself but also of whiskey in general and the differences between the three most famous whiskeys in the world: the Irish, the Scottish and the American. Guided tours take place about every 15 minutes between April and October and every 25 between November and March. The last tour departs at 5:15 pm and in high season it is highly recommended to make a reservation that can be made online and also obtain a 10% discount on the entrance per adult.
Hard 50 minutes. It is always open, even on public holidays, although closes Good Friday. On Sundays it opens from 10 am and for legal reasons it cannot sell alcohol on Sundays after 12:30 pm so keep that in mind.
The distillery also offers two experiences:
- Jameson Taste Experience: Available every day and has no attendance limits. It costs 22 euros per person and is at the bar. You taste four varieties of Jameson whiskey, some of the best, even the oldest. You can do this before or after the guided tour of the distillery.
- Jameson Whsikey Masterclass - This experience is only available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and lasts for one hour. You can book before or when you arrive to do the guided tour. It costs 27 euros and is only for adults.
Irish beer
Beer in Ireland has a long history and some scholars speak of five thousand years, It almost started with agriculture on the island taking advantage of the fertile land, the mild rain and the good weather. Legend has it that Saint Patrick himself had his own friendly monk who was a true specialist when it came to making beer. The monks, in fact, became the specialists when it came to generating new varieties using herbs.
The commercialization of beer began with Guiness in the XNUMXth centuryBut it wasn't the only brewery in the country at the time, and it seems there were more than a hundred. Guiness was the only one that achieved such a development and became a colossus. Thus, it is the quintessential Irish beer brand. There are others, many others, but Guiness is the most international.
The distillery was founded by Arthur Guiness in the XNUMXth century at St. James's Gate in Dublin. He started and from the beginning he exported a recipe that time would make legendary. Of course, this brand made and makes different varieties of beer, although it started with only three: ale, single stout, double stoutt. A Guiness beer has water, barley, roast malt extract, hops and yeast. The roast part of the malt is what gives it its dark color and its distinctive flavor.
Visit Guiness Storehouse
The Guiness Storehouse is located at St. Jame's Gate Brewery and today It is one of the five most popular tourist attractions in Dublin. The truth is that a super place designed to receive visitors and the experience is much more interesting than in the Jameson Distillery. You walk through seven floors of the building and you live many interactive experiences as you get into Irish beer history.
Actually here there is much more than a brewery: there is a very famous bar, the Gravity Bar, on top of everything with great views of Dublin, the Arthur Bar and Bar The Connoisseur. There are also a cafeteria and a restaurant. A very, very good time to visiting Guiness Storehouse is on St. Patrick's Day for a great event takes place. This year it was between March 16 and 20 since it always lasts more than one day.
To secure a place for you at the party It is convenient to book and buy online with time. And if your name is Patrick, Patricio, Patricia or something that derives from the name of the saint, you receive a little gift. There are concerts, Celtic dancers, marching bands of musicians, classes at the Guiness Academy, tastings and more.
The factory is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. but you can only enter until 5 p.m. Between July and August, in the summer, it opens until 8 pm although it is only entered until 6 pm. It is closed on Good Friday, December 24 and 25 and on Saint Stephen's Day. Prices? They vary, if the weekend you arrive before 11:30 am you save 20% and the entrance costs 16 euros. If you don't have a regular price of 20 euros per adult and 16 per student presenting identification. Adult tickets They include a pint of beer.