So on my way to the Guinness Storehouse, which I might add I’m pretty excited to visit, I walk through the campus of Trinity College…

 

one of the world’s leading universities:

 

It is also referred to as the University of Dublin and some of its more celebrated alumni are Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, scores of leading jurists, politicians, physicists, business leaders, and of course Courtney Love (Courtney Love? Who knew!):

 

I feel a little smarter already after an hour of walking around its hallowed halls.  Remember how carefree life was when you were a student?  If you are reading me and are feeling the dread of a term paper deadline or any such other stress from school, trust me, it will pass. Just enjoy it. University life is a privilege.

Speaking of college life, shall we get to the drinking part?

These next sets of photos may feel like not-so-subliminal advertising for Guinness, but they certainly do not need me to push their beer which is already world-renowned.

 

I knew ahead of time that this would be a huge tourist attraction, and when I get inside I can see why that’s the case even if you are not a beer fan. The history behind this brand is quite legendary–including this 9000-year lease signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759 for mere £45 per year,

 

but it’s the business machine behind its hops and barley in present day that really captures my attention:

 

My tour starts here with this ticket,

 

and the next couple of floors introduce me to the main ingredients that go into this dry stout ale with a distinctive burnt flavor resulting from the roasting of its barley:

 

One of the coolest displays is a huge container of the barley grains…

How’s that for a sandbox?

 

I also enjoy tasting the roasted grains, but c’mon now, it’s the tasting lab on the next floor that we’re all giddy about, right?

 

I’m not much of a beer drinker, and by that I mean I don’t drink beer at all. But I do like the bitter taste very much and it hits me right away. And that’s why I get a little loopy by the time I get to the floor where there’s a display of the advertising art used by Guinness–not really sure what I’m trying to do to the bunny on the wall…

and when I get back to my hotel that night I no longer have the black cardigan you see above. I stop by their lost & found office the next day but it’s a goner.

Anyway, at the end of the tour, on the 7th floor I exchange my ticket…

 

for…surprise! More Guinness!

 

This bar has a 360 view of the city below:

 

Cheers, Arthur…