The Tasters' Clock | Unsplash: Rahul KanikeThe Name ‘Guinness’
The famous beer was named after Arthur Guinness, the founder of the brewery, who signed the lease for the St. James Gate brewery in Dublin in 1759 - a lease for an astonishing 9,000 years! The rent was set at 45 pounds per month in 1759 and has not been changed to this day.
roasted barley | Unsplash: Y SGlass Atrium
The glass atrium just after the entrance of the Guinness Storehouse is shaped like a Guinness beer glass and is 7 stories high. It would take three days to fill this glass with Guinness beer.Ingredients
Guinness is made from only four ingredients: roasted barley, malted barley, hops, and yeast. Water also plays a big role in its production, as reminded by the waterfall inside the Guinness Storehouse. The roasted barley gives Guinness its color and is responsible for the rich, malty aroma.The frothy head on the beer
For the thick, creamy head to form, nitrogen is added to the beer.Tasters
Every day at 10 in the morning, a few lucky ones have hit the jackpot. The job of the experienced taste testers is to check the quality of every single Guinness.Task distribution
The brewery had its own timber yard, a smithy, a joinery, a cooperage, a barley malting plant, and even a railway. Nowadays, there are other solutions for the bottling and distribution of the beer.The Harp
Many know that the harp is a symbol for Ireland. Did you know that Guinness adopted the harp as its emblem before Ireland even had a government? For this reason, the harp had to be reversed on the Euro. The golden harp is one of the oldest and most famous brand logos in the world. It is also the oldest brand logo that has remained unchanged to this day.The special font
The unique font of the Guinness logo is called ’Guinness Antiqua’ and was specifically developed for the brand. It is known for its distinctive slant and bold appearance.
Guinness is good for you | Unsplash: K. Mitch HodgeForbidden slogan
In the early years of Guinness advertising, the slogan ‘Guinness is Good for You’ was used. Introduced in the 1920s and used until the 1960s, it was discontinued due to regulatory concerns.
'Good things come to those who wait' | Flickr: Claudia Schillinger CC-BY 2.0Advertising
Guinness ads have changed significantly over the years, from early illustrations and text ads to today's elaborate film and TV ad campaigns. The ads often reflect the cultural trends and societal concerns of their time. The Guinness Storehouse dedicates an entire floor to Guinness advertising. Stop by and discover the popular slogan ‘Good things come to those who wait’.
Cycling fish | Flickr: Owen Byrne CC-BY 2.0Curiosities
When you're at the Guinness Storehouse, look out for the whistling oyster and the cycling fish. Have fun finding them!
Pouring Guinness | Flickr: Regan Buker CC-BY 2.0Pouring Guinness
Pouring the beer takes at least 2 minutes. The beer flows from the tap into the glass at a 45° angle. When the beer reaches the top of the harp, the glass must rest for 119.5 seconds to allow the 30 million nitrogen bubbles to burst and form the thick, creamy foam before the beer is topped up. The temperature of the Guinness for pouring is 6° Celsius (42,8° Fahrenheit).Worldwide popularity
Guinness is sold in over 150 countries worldwide and is one of the most well-known and best-selling beers in the world.Guinness World Records
The idea for the Guinness Book of Records came from Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of Guinness. He decided to publish a book recording such facts during a debate about which was the fastest game bird in Europe.