The Smithwick's Experience tour provides an immersive and educational experience about the history of Smithwick's brewery and beer production in Kilkenny, Ireland. The tour guide explained the brewing process knowledgeably and guests got to experience different parts of the process. It concluded with guests sampling Smithwick's beer or mineral water and testing their knowledge with a quiz. After the highly impressive tour, the guests continued their day in Kilkenny with lunch at Kyteler's Inn, learning about a historic witch trial that took place there.

1. Smithwick’s Experience
Blog
On a rare day, where myself
(Courtney, Receptionist),
Diane (Front Office Team
Leader) and Lucie (Deputy
General Manager) were off
together we headed down to
Parliament St. to see the new
Smithwick’s Experience. We
walked down from the hotel,
the short five minute stroll and entered down the cobbled lane to where the famous
Smithwick’s gate stands and the name hangs proudly over the gateway. There is a courtyard
with seating to wait for your tour to begin. We made the most of the sun shining that day.
There is always time for a selfie…or two……
We got our tickets at reception and saw the original cobbles
from the Coles house which dates back to the 18th century. It
was great to see part of the original
house. We had Caoimhe taking us
around and she was really great. She
spoke so clearly and confidently and
her knowledge was immense.
We began our tour by entering a small
door with little head space; if you are
tall you will need to bend down! Here
there was a short video which took us
back to 13th century Ireland when
Franciscan monks inhabited the site
and began brewing on site from the local produce. It was very well
executed. The whole tour is very high tech and very impressive.
Our tour continued with a holographic image of a Franciscan monk explaining more of the
13th century history, you also learn of the Penal Laws and the Reformation.
You are then whisked forward a couple of hundred years and enter the front door of the
Smithwick’s house and meet some very interesting characters from the Smithwick’s family in
the drawing room! A genius idea, look at the wall as you move on from the drawing room. As
an ex guide of Kilkenny Castle I was fascinated by the copy of the deed signed by the Duke
of Ormonde for the lease of the land from the Ormonde family for the site which is just
outside the drawing room. I would have loved more time to study it.

2. With the background of the
family and how they came to be
in Kilkenny and their relationship
with the city explained we then
learn of the brewing process. It is
a highly skilful and detailed
process; Caoimhe really knew her
stuff at this part. It was so
technical.
We walked through the malting process, felt the heat and saw the different amounts of barley
used for different drinks. Diane mixed the mash in the next room and the aromas were very
evident. I never knew a hop was a plant. Prepare your nostrils
for this part of the tour! Those hops have some intense smells!
The last part of the tour was to taste the perfect pint or if
Smithwick’s doesn’t tickle your taste buds there is the option
of a mineral also which myself and Diane chose. Lucie tasted
the half pint like a real connoisseur. There is a beautiful area
like a little bar where you can sit and enjoy your pint with
friends or family at the end of the tour just before you exit
through the shop. There is also a short quiz you can take here
to test your knowledge after the tour. We got 8/8 (no
pressure).
We were mesmerised with the new Smithwick’s Experience.
It was way beyond what we were expecting. A great tour, a
must see in Kilkenny. We actually learned a great deal about
the history on tour.
It was just coming up to lunch time when we finally left the shop. We just had to pay a visit
to Kytelers Inn. Here meet Alice Kyteler, accused of witchcraft in the 14th century. Her story
is the first witch trial in Ireland. She was to be put on trial and burnt at the stakes. She
however escaped from Kilkenny and was not heard of again. Kytelers today is famous for
their tourism experience and known amongst locals for their beautiful vol eu vents, if you
don’t believe me, try it for yourself. We didn’t even need menus, vol eu vents all round!