Smithwick's Experience: Ireland's Oldest Beer

Explore Smithwick’s history in Kilkenny with an immersive tour featuring holograms and living portraits. Enjoy a perfectly poured pint at the end.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Smithwick’s Experience - Travel to Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny at your convenience, located about 1.5 hours by car from Dublin. Situated in a historic Victorian brewing building in Kilkenny City, the Smithwick’s Experience provides an engaging, multi-sensory exploration of Smithwick’s rich history.
    Upon arrival, join one of the guided tours,…
What's Included
  • 1 pint of Smithwick’s or a soft drink
  • Guided tour
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional Information

Explore the rich history of Smithwick’s, Ireland’s oldest beer brand, by visiting the Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny. Encounter Franciscan monks, animated portraits of the Smithwick family, and impressive holograms on this engaging, guided tour situated in a historic Victorian brewery in the heart of Kilkenny city. Journey from the 13th century to the…

Location
Smithwick's Experience
Saint Francis Abbey Brewery 44 Parliament Street,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(256 Ratings)
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Wayne_h
May 11, 2025
Smithwicks History - Actual brewery has moved away to Dublin. This is a history tour in the old brewery location but it is very up to date and interesting. Good guide and great gift shop. The admission cost includes a pint of beer, although we took the 3 beer flight option.
Review provided by Viator
Carolynms3580rh
May 11, 2025
Don’t miss this! - Barry and Evan were amazing! We learned so much about our favorite beer. Thank you for making this once in a lifetime trip even more special!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandie12332
May 9, 2025
Excellent Tour- Amazing Guide, Very Informative & Great Value. - I took this tour on Easter Sunday. It was a very enjoyable tour guided by Morgan who made the tour positively memorable for me. He was very relaxed and knowledgeable. He had a great sense of humour and I observed that the children on the tour really enjoyed his jokes. The hall of pictures with framed historic Smithwicks related characters who came to life telling their story and background was an innovative touch. There was the offer of a free refreshing pint of beer at the end of the tour which you could consume in a relaxed customer seating area. The whole atmosphere and experience was very relaxed, informative and memorable. I would highly recommend you take this tour when in Kilkenny.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
F4577usnancyr
May 8, 2025
Great Experience - Wonderful, detailed tour. Our guide Simon was exceptional. And the beer wasn't even the best part. Loved the hall of picture framed Smithwicks, bonus when they came to life!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzanne_w
May 6, 2025
Do not miss out - Do not blow it off great experience. Chris was passionate and knowledgeable, Good beer so surprised it was so low alcohol I guess that is why people can drink here all day
Review provided by Viator
Footprints518461
May 3, 2025
This tour was better than that other big one in Dublin!! - Awesome tour! Barry was very informative and kept us laughing along the way. A shout out to whomever designed the rooms / graphics/ displays… very well done!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Claude
Apr 26, 2025
Smithwick's > Guinness 🇮🇪 - We loved the Smithwick's experience! The visit with Chris is dynamic, fun and fun. We go through the history of Ireland's oldest brewery in detail. Thank you Chris! 😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sadiem882
Apr 25, 2025
Amazing - Chris M made this tour come to life, he animated the stories and engaged the whole group throughout, we finished in the bar and Darren the barman brought the craic - we’d recommend highly!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
580benedicted
Apr 25, 2025
A great visit, especially if you love Irish beers - Great visit to learn more around the origins of the Smithwick's and Kilkenny beers. Chris' explanations were clear and with humour. We liked the Harry Potter like history room, and the sensory experience. It was great to taste various beers, but plan plenty of time if you have numerous ones to taste. We got great help when booking via email after an issue with the website, and I was happy to be able to surprise my husband and daughter with an engraved beer glass. A good moment together.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tweeling74
Apr 25, 2025
Historical brewery experience - Nice experience to learn about the history of one of the oldest beers made in Ireland; unfortunately, the brewing process is now at Guinness in Dublin, so you can only see glimpses of the process. I found the tour better than the one at the Guinness, cozier and slightly more interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $25
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).