Display at Guinness Storehouse; by Ramona Zacharias

By my tastes, a trip to Dublin wouldn’t be complete without making a stop at the Guinness Storehouse at St. James Gate.

The number one attraction in Ireland and one of the world’s top brand experiences, this multi-floor, self-guided tour offers a full pour of history and information about the country’s most famous brew.

My particular tour happened on a very significant day in Guinness — and Irish — history: September 23, Arthur’s Day.

The holiday celebrates the date in 1759 when Arthur Guinness signed a legendary 9,000-year lease, giving him a disused brewery for an annual rent of £45, and the ability to mass produce “black gold.”

Snow Patrol, the Manic Street Preachers, Mick Jones of the Clash and many others were on site to help celebrate by raising a pint to Arthur for his lasting contributions. The atmosphere was giddy that day, but I suspect a visit almost any time of the year would be festive.

I started on the main floor, and while waiting for the tour to begin, my attention started to wander to the two-floor store behind me. Clothing, coasters, posters, fudge, shot glasses — I knew I would be spending a fair bit of time and a good chunk of change in there a little later on.

But then Zelda, my tour guide, drew my attention upwards. We were actually standing in the world’s largest pint glass.

Guinness Storehouse, circa 1955; courtesy of the brewer

The glass and steel structure was built in a circular style, narrow at the museum’s starting point with an increasingly larger circumference from floor to floor. At the top is Gravity Bar, where I later sipped a complimentary pint of the black stuff and enjoyed a 360-degree view of Dublin.

The museum is mostly what you would expect: a history of the company, facts about Arthur and interactive displays that highlight Guinness’ four ingredients (water, barley, hops and yeast) and its brewing process.

You can even sample some roasted barley. It’s not the taste test most visitors are seeking, but is interesting all the same.

The Advertising Section, where I watched early commercials and saw some classic posters, provides a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The restaurant (about halfway up the pint) serves a great Guinness stew.

There are, however, some out-of-the-ordinary exhibits to highlight. The “Genealogy Pods” allow visitors to trace their ancestry to see if a family member ever worked at the brewery.

Even more popular is a spot to learn to “pour the perfect pint.” There are only six steps, but they make all the difference to the taste.

Did you know, for example, that the initial draft needs to settle precisely 119.5 seconds before being topped up? Or that you need to use a Guinness glass, with the harp on it, for measuring purposes?

A word of caution, however: Once you undergo this training process, you’ll never order another Guinness without watching your bartender like a hawk.

Cheers — or as the Irish say — Slainte!

Check out this article to read about other factories-turned-museums.