Visiting Guinness and Jameson and Ireland’s top breweries and distilleries

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Franciscan Well Brew Pub

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The tour culminates in the "Tasting Room" with an opportunity to sample the finished product and to compare it with other whiskies. More information: Old Jameson Distillery, Bow St., Smithfield, Dublin 7, tel. 01-807-2355; web:  www.tours.jamesonwhiskey.com

Today John Jameson Whiskey, along with other Irish whiskies such as Powers, Paddy, Midleton, Redbreast, and Tullamore Dew, are actually produced at one central mega-distillery at Midleton, Co. Cork.  The modern plant sits next to the Old Midleton Distillery which was established in the early 17th century. A tour of the latter provides close-up views of the mill building, maltings, corn stores, still houses, warehouses, kilns, water wheel, and copper stills, including the largest pot still in the world, with a capacity of 31,648 gallons.

To illustrate the step-by-step whiskey-making process, there is an audio-visual presentation, as well as demonstrations and working models.  Afterward, visitors are invited to taste the various products. More information: Old Midleton Distillery, Midleton, C. Cork, tel. 021-461-3594; web: www.tours.jamesonwhiskey.com/Home/The-Jameson-Experience-Midleton.aspx

While in Co. Cork, also head to the Franciscan Well Brew Pub – a micro-brewery that produces its own beer, with names such as Blarney Blonde, Rebel Red and Shandon Stout. There is a large beer garden in the back. More information: Franciscan Well Brew Pub (14 North Mall, Cork City, tel. 021-439-3434); web: www.franciscanwellbrewery.com

Moving on to Co. Clare, the Biddy Early Brewery west of Ennis claims to be Ireland’s first pub-brewery, producing local brews Black Biddy, a fruity Irish stout; Blonde Biddy, a European pilsner-style lager; Red Biddy, a sweet Irish ale; and Real Biddy, a cask-conditioned ale. Visitors can learn more about the beers by taking a tour of the brewery culminating in a tasting session, or watching an A/V. More information: Biddy Early Brewery, Inagh, Ennis, Co. Clare, tel. 065-683-6742); web: www.beb.ie

In nearby Co. Offaly, the town of Tullamore gave its name in the 19th century to a popular whiskey known as Tullamore Dew.  Learn more about it at the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, housed in the original Tullamore Dew Distillery on the Grand Canal. During the 45-minute guided tour, you’ll also learn how Tullamore Dew got its name, using the initials of one of the early whiskey-makers (Daniel E. Williams). At the end of the tour, a sample of Tullamore Dew awaits all adult visitors.  More information: Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, tel. 057-932-5015; web:  www.tullamoredew.com/heritage-centre

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