https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fRYfjr1yi0 Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Even in the home of the black stuff they’re dreaming of Guinness Dublin’s green and white Christmas.

You’ll see I’ve Christmas cribbed from Guinness’s enduring festive advertising and am happy to do so.

And, of course, we put caressing a pint (or gargle, my collective noun) of plain at the centre of our Christmas carousing.

We learned to in, of all places at the Ri Ra Irish bar in Las Vegas.

Now the best place to sup your Guinness is Ireland and while we all have our fave bars there’s only one Guinness Storehouse.

Where you get the panoramic view from their Gravity bar, the top floor of their seven storeys.

But don’t take my word for it (well do) but American Presidents (and their governor pals) and British royalty have all sipped the stout.

Kodaline high hopes

Some, of course, going the full hog to don a white foam moustache.

This year Guinness Storehouse in the capital’s Liberties district is pushing its already excellent green credentials.

By dressing up the Christmas tree with 1759 lights, soundscaped decorations and a festive menu of Irish produce.

The recently awarded Leading Tourist Attraction in Europe has collaborated with multi-media talents, Farouk Alao, Sorcha O’Higgins and Ger Clancy, as well as Jason Boland (Kodaline), who has created an original piece of music.

Sorcha’s artwork represents the Guinness Storehouse through the ages – an industrial past, an iconic present, and a technicolour future.

While Ger Clancy’s take on the iconic St James’s Gates makes for the perfect backdrop to festive photos this season.

Tunnel of love

Friends in high places: With former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe

This year, visitors can interact with a cinematic experience that uses cutting edge technology to breathe new life into stories and photography from the Guinness Archives.

Curated by Nigerian Irish multi-disciplinary artist Farouk, each scene uses motion technology to invite visitors to explore, capture and share moments of festive celebration with friends and family during their tour.

One of the first visual installations that consumers will see is the dramatic tunnel, which sits beneath the Guinness Storehouse Christmas tree featuring those 1759 lights as a nod to the year Guinness began.

And reframes the 9,000-year lease signed by Arthur Guinness.

Guinness with it all

There are seasonal experiences to marvel at and excite the senses behind St. James’s Gate this Christmas.

A giant bauble display fills the building, perfect for capturing a story for Instagram, while pop-up live entertainment during the holidays will help visitors create special memories.

Of course the stout is at the centre of everything in the Storehouse.

So enjoy the best artisan producers like Kish Fish and Medialuna, Irish cheese producers, the spiced beef sandwich, and Mulled Guinness and Guinness smoked salmon.

Meaning you can take a taste of the Guinness Storehouse from our home to yours this Christmas.

Guests can also upgrade to the STOUTie or Academy experiences, both available as optional extras when booking on the Guinness Storehouse website for the ultimate day out in Dublin over the festive break.

Christmas at the Guinness Storehouse is included in each experience ticket.

Make a date

The law of Gravity: At the top of the Storehouse

EXPERIENCE DATES: Wednesday November 22^nd – Friday 5^th January

OPENS: 10am

PRICES: Start from €24 per adult

What’s the ingredient… well, you’ll just have to go out to the Caribbean if you want to be a rum master in St Lucia.

For me, I caught the rum punches bug myself in the West Indies and made Saturdays my cocktail-making day.

And that skill I learned at the hands of my Bajan pals and took back here with me I’m happy to say I passed onto the Son and Heir.

Not that I come anywhere near the rumaristas of the Caribbean.

All of which brings us to our Kittitian (their denonym) friends.

And they have only put together a special rumarista (mine) package for those who pay them a visit.

Out on a wing

So to the first part of the tour which will take you to Wingfield Estate distillery.

And that’s where rum expert Jack Widdowson (Founder of Old Road RumCompany) will teach rum theory and the history of rum production.

While there it’s worth considering too who might have come before you.

And the recently excavated distillery is found on the 18th-century sugar cane plantation owned by a direct ancestor of Thomas Jefferson.

And yes, you’ll be sipping Old Road Rum and learning the history.

While there will be a chance to see a preserved aqueduct, chimney, mill house, boiling house, and lime kiln and learn how to label their own rum bottle.

Spice it up

Rum time: With Caribbean chums Jevan and Donna

Now onto the second course which takes place at the lively Spice Mill Restaurant on Cockleshell Bay.

Run by rum expert Roger Brisbane this course will showcase spiced rum creation methodology, rum-blending techniques, and cocktail creations.

So a key part of the whole rum experience is of course the Hibiscus that you’ll see around every Caribbean island.

And which Roger curates with Hibiscus Spirits.

Carnival time: St Lucia

It is created by infusing handpicked and locally grown Roselle Hibiscus calyx, known as sorrel, to flavour the rum and create a natural red colour.

And, of course, you’ll get a certificate to show your friends at the end of it all…

To take pride of place alongside others I’ve passed over the years.

Such as the Guinness pouring scroll from Las Vegas ,

So just a notch on the Neon City tour.

Stay the course

And we’ll get started with a visit to Wingfield Estate – home of Old Road Rum, and the oldest surviving rum distillery in the Caribbean:

Introduction of Rum
History of Rum in St. Kitts
Rum production methods
Learning How to Taste + Identify Flavour Profiles
Tour the estate
Label your own rum bottle

And visit Spice Mill – home of Hibiscus Spirits:

Learn how to create spiced rum
Methodology of creating classic rum drinks
Learn nuances of creating rum cocktails
Rum appreciation methods

So get your bookings in for the Kittitian RumMaster programme cost $150 per person. For booking information, visit Our Stories | St Kitts Tourism

St. Kitts can be easily reached from the UK via twice weekly (Wednesday & Saturday) direct flights from London Gatwick with British Airways.

And come back with a new skill when you’ll be a Rum Master in St Lucia.

Tag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fRYfjr1yi0

Guinness Dublin’s green and white Christmas