Calling all beer enthusiasts! Forget the trip to Ireland; Baltimore, MD now boasts its very own Guinness Factory! (Okay, it's still my dream to visit the one in Ireland.)
For the uninitiated, Guinness traces its roots back to Dublin, Ireland, in 1759, originally known for its ales. The iconic dry stout made its debut in 1778 and gained such popularity that by 1799, the brewery exclusively produced stouts and porters. While Guinness began in Dublin, it has expanded its reach to over 150 countries. Remarkably, after over 60 years, the first American Guinness brewery opened its doors on August 3, 2018, in Baltimore, costing a whopping $80 million to establish. Wondering why Baltimore? The decision was swayed by Diageo, Guinness' parent company, which had owned the land for several years, finding common ground in the city's hardworking ethos.
Ryan Wagner, the brewery's ambassador, anticipates visitors' excitement over their Belgian-inspired beers, including sours and barrel-aged varieties. He affirms, "There's no limit to the creativity. If we can dream it, we can do it." (Personally, I'm eagerly awaiting a sour release...)
My visit to Guinness with Christian on August 11, just a week after their opening, was an unforgettable experience. The massive parking lot and the colossal building hinted at the grandeur within. Despite the bustling scene, the absence of a cover charge surprised us as we ascended the stairs in awe.
Approaching the bar, we faced a dilemma – join the lengthy line or find a spot anywhere at the bar. Opting for the latter, we soon discovered the challenges of navigating the crowded space. While waiting for the bartender's attention, I questioned my skepticism about Guinness' dark beers. Christian initiated a game, offering me $1 for every new item I disliked, and surprisingly, my first dollar came from a Guinness beer.
Guinness showcased a broader beer selection than expected, prompting me to sample before committing. Though flights were not yet available, I savored Citra Wit and settled on a Belgian-style Apricot Pale Ale, while Christian opted for the Milk Stout – both choices exceeded our expectations.
Exploring the brewery, we learned about the self-guided tours, offering glimpses into the Dublin brewery's history and artifacts. The extensive merchandise section tempted me to start a collection, beginning with my first brewery glass.
Excitingly, Guinness plans to introduce flights once their paddle shipment arrives. The prospect of revisiting post-flight-board and potentially less crowded circumstances intrigued us.
The three-story brewery boasts a basement housing the beer production area, a main floor with merchandise, seating, and a bar, and an upstairs restaurant with 270 seats. The spacious outside section, complete with cornhole, an outdoor bar, a food truck, and photo-worthy spots, adds to the appeal. Guinness envisioned a brewery that allows patrons to disconnect and relish the environment, a goal they've achieved with no external beer sales, no TVs, and an immersive Guinness experience from culture to history, all enjoyed over a cold, refreshing beer.
That being said, here is my rating:
Atmosphere - ★★★★ - This is by far the largest brewery I have ever been to. The atmosphere was unlike any other. I had mixed emotions on what to rate this because I really enjoyed my experience overall and loved all the different places to hangout but my experience at the bar was very unpleasant. I just wish more people around the bar utilized the other places to enjoy their beer (store, "museum", beer garden)
Beer - ★★★★ - I went into this visit thinking I wasn't going to enjoy the beer. However, both beers that I tried, I thoroughly enjoyed. I would love to see a Guinness sour though. (Does this mean I have to give Christian his $1 back??)
Employees - ★★★★ - It took FOREVER to get our beer. I'm taking into the consideration that they were busy but there had to have been a better system than the one they had in place. They also had a weird line system going on that wasn't necessary which created traffic jams and unnecessary confusion. I'm predicting after being open for sometime, they have come up with better solutions. I also really enjoyed the ladies in the merchandise section. They were very friendly and informative.
Location - ★★★★★ - For a brewery this large, the location is perfect (for Baltimore). They really make use of the land they have by creating a
three story brewery and a beer garden. Let's not forget, the parking lot is HUGE.
Social Media - ★★★★★ - I applaud Guinness on their social media. Each platform they use, posts different content. Facebook is more story and history based while publishing important information. Their Instagram uses a good mix of photographs and videos while their Twitter focuses on GIFs. Not to mention, their website is well put together.
Total: 4.4 STARS!
Cheers!!
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