Drinking in Dublin: Part 1

I’m happy to report that by the time Tammy and Xavier got done spoiling us, I was in tiptop shape and ready to enjoy round two of Ireland. We started in Dublin where we decided to hurt our livers a bit at the Guinness Storehouse and the Old Jameson Distillery. It wasn’t all gluttony, though; it turns out that Guinness and Irish whiskey are an integral part of Ireland’s history.

Our wonderfully weird waiter at JJ’s.

The Guinness Storehouse

Touring the Guinness Storehouse is a first-rate experience celebrating 250 years of Irish history. It’s fitting that the building that once held the original brewery now invites you to explore the story of the world famous beer. Exposed piping, steel beams, and retired factory parts define the industrial design of the 8-story, pint-shaped, fully renovated, experiential museum. The building itself was a real treat.

The building is full of little moments like this one. <3

This is a more different piece of an enormous bronze sculpture that is part of the transportation display.

This is the water display — an ode to the importance of the water source, the Wicklow Mountains.

Here’s the brewing process for inquiring minds.

Heading toward the Storehouse…even the approach is cool.

We also met Christian and Rose (love them) from California at the Guinness Storehouse. Here’s a blurry photo of us heading into the Storehouse together after I needed to inquire about Christian’s sweater, which proudly bears the image of a kitten. That is an awesome sweater.

Details were not spared in this building. This is a small piece of an enormous bronze sculpture that is part of the transportation display.

We began our tour learning about the man behind the brand, Arthur Guinness. His vision, commitment, and determination are nearly unbelievable to me. For instance, did you know that he leased the initial 4-acre brewery space for 9,000 years? It was an unused dilapidated brewery called St. James Gate Brewery, a name the company retained. Guinness Draught wasn’t even a thing yet. I’m here wondering what I’ll do for work when I get home, and he’s all, “yeah, 9,000 years, let’s do this!” Also, he and his wife, Olivia, had 21 (not a typo) children together. I’m not even sure that I can fit that reality into my brain.

Diego’s perfect pint

Hanging out in the Gravity bar with a 360 view of Dublin

Heading up to the top floor to take in the views from Gravity Bar.

The glass walls of the gravity bar are very cool and also a little unnerving.

The tasting room was full of white mist coming from several different barrels each representing different flavor notes in the Guinness. It was rad.

One of their most recognizable ad campaigns.

Serving up the good stuff in Gravity Bar

There was a huge wall of casks from the display about the coopers (cask makers).

We went on to learn about the brewing process and what’s in each pint before ascending to the next level. There we discovered the art of cooperage (cask making) and the history of transporting and advertising Guinness around the globe. Parched from all that learnin’, we moved on to the tasting rooms and the Guinness Academy where we studied time-honored tasting traditions and practiced pouring the perfect pint. We finished our tour on the top floor at Gravity Bar, which boasts a 360-degree view of Dublin thanks to its glass walls. More pints were consumed – merriment and jumping pics ensued. We had a blast. Well done, Team Guinness.

Postscript: Guinness really does taste better in Dublin.

Post Postscript: If you’re wondering how an 8-story building can have a 360-degree view of a major city like Dublin, I wondered the same thing. Apparently Dublin restricts building heights, which is definitely part of its charm and probably also contributing to the city’s significant housing shortage.

The Old Jameson Distillery

Dublin is also home to the Old Jameson Distillery, now a visitor center. The modern distillery was moved to Middleton sometime before I was born. A new friend, Nadia, from our hostel joined us for the Bow St. tour. The tour was well done and we learned a lot, but I was a bit distracted because my thoughts wandered to my Dad. He introduced me to Jameson over the age-old Irish coffee debate – Jameson vs. Bushmills (Ireland’s oldest whiskey). He preferred Bushmills, but I like my whiskey neat so I would have to say that the bigger difference is made with homemade whipped cream vs. store-bought. 

Daddy made great cocktails. He frequently sat up waiting for me to arrive when I drove over for a visit from Austin. I fight falling asleep when I drive long distances and he lived about 8 hours from me. He worried. Arriving after midnight to find him waiting to receive me with a cocktail in hand is a cherished memory. We had the best chats over those cocktails. It’s funny what you miss. 

We were also fortunate to run into our new California-based friends from the Guinness Storehouse, Christian and Rose. The 5 of us took full advantage of the cocktails in JJ’s bar following the tour. I’m pretty sure that we were only supposed to enjoy one complimentary cocktail, but part of Diego’s life philosophy is, “if it’s free, take three.” I have learned that it’s best not to ask questions. 

Cheers to new friends and to my Daddy, who joined us in spirit.

Stay tuned for our next episode of Drinking in Dublin…