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Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny Entrance Ticket

Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kilkenny, Ireland
Popular pick
Booked 10+ times last week!
  • 1 hour (approx.)
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· Danny_D ·
Sep 2026
This was amazing! We learned so much about the history of Smithwicks and the whole process, of which their beer is made. Tha guide was excellent! Lots of fun! Loved the pint of beer at the end!
· Knight_G ·
Aug 2026
Very enjoyable way to spend a few hours lovely building - the presenter was funny and knowledgeable the whole thing was so enjoyable (particularly the beer).

Overview

Located in the heart of Kilkenny city, Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny is a multi-sensory experience that immerses you in the history of Ireland's oldest ale. Harvested from our land, seasoned by our history, Smithwick’s has been brewed in Ireland since 1710. Enjoying your favourite Smithwick’s Ale, while one of our local staff explains what makes it so unique, makes this one of the most enjoyable tours in Ireland.
  • Admission to Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny
  • Enjoy a 1-hour guided tour of the Smithwick’s Experience in Kilkenny
  • Gain insight into Ireland’s medieval brewing heritage
  • Learn of the delicate balances of hops, malt and barley that go into Smithwick’s delicious beers
  • End your visit with a pint of beer from the brewery or upgrade to a tour including a tasting of 3 ales, Smithwicks Original, Smithwicks Pale Ale & Kilkenny Ale, served on a traditional tasting paddle.

What's Included

  • Guided tour
  • 1 pint of Smithwick's or a soft drink
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified

Meeting and Pickup

Departure Point

  • Smithwick's Experience, 44 Parliament Street, Kilkenny R95 VK54 Ireland

What To Expect

1

Smithwick's Experience

Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Infants under the age of 6 years go free of charge
  • Minimum drinking age is 18 years
  • Adult rate applies to all bookings
  • Please note: it is recommended to pre-book your preferred time slot; refer to voucher for details

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9
based on 963 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sort by: Most insightful

Amazing tour

Danny_D, Sep 2026
This was amazing! We learned so much about the history of Smithwicks and the whole process, of which their beer is made. Tha guide was excellent! Lots of fun! Loved the pint of beer at the end!

It was a great tour. My...

John_R, Aug 2026
It was a great tour. My guide, Morgan, was super knowledgeable about Smithwick’s as well as just Irish history in general. He was fantastic. I wish the tour had shorter introductory videos and more interactive elements. The tour probably only lasted ~40 minutes.

Good relaxing tour

Susan_C, Aug 2026
It was nice to learn about the history of Smithwick’s and its place in the story of the area. We also enjoyed the interactive nature of the tour.

Knowledgeable and fun presentation

Knight_G, Aug 2026
Very enjoyable way to spend a few hours lovely building - the presenter was funny and knowledgeable the whole thing was so enjoyable (particularly the beer).

Good tour

briancfarley, May 2026
Good tour. It’s unfortunate it hasn’t been an operational brewery for a while. My one comment is there is no citrus growing in the Yakima valley. Grapes, peaches and citrus hops but no lemons or oranges. Well indoors I guess. From someone who lived in Seattle for many years…..

Smithwick’s history tour

Eric_C, May 2026
Christy was an excellent tour guide for Smithwick’s- friendly and informative. The final touch is to taste some of the beer brewed by Smithwick’s

Smithwick’s Paddle Tour Tasting

Flynn_B, May 2026
It was great! Morgan our guide was funny and very knowledgeable. He guided us through the tour and then to try the beers. I would highly recommend doing the paddle tour. You get to try not only the Smithwicks Red Ale, but also their Pale Ale and then their Kilkenny Draught Irish.

Overall 9/10

Justin_F, Apr 2026
Tour was quite short, but very informative. Morgan the tour guide was outstanding, and made the experience quite enjoyable. Great time!

Delicious!

Zoe_B, Aug 2025
Fun and quick tour. Was great to learn about and then task our favourite beers. Our guide was fantastic and charismatic, making jokes and connecting with each of us throughout the tour. He gave us wonderful local hidden gems to hit for food and enjoyed hearing about where each of us was from. Delicious!

Great tour

Diarmuid_C, Jul 2025
Ruby was a great tour guide, really knew her stuff and was very personable. The pints after were also top quality.

Good way to spend an hour, then taste away

Kathleen_S, Jul 2025
More of a history lesson than a beer tour, but good anyway. Interesting when you sit and smell each ingredient that goes into the beer. Wish there were more “factory” elements such as vats and whatnot. The “flight” ticket is more expensive than the “pint” ticket, but you get a lot more beer with the flight.

History, Beer and Fun- Do It!

Regina_W, Jul 2025
Awesome and informative tour! History and beer- how can you go wrong? Our guide was knowledgeable and engaged. Lots of history on the town of Kilkenny as well as the history of Smithwick’s. At the end, we got tastes of the beer. The bartender was great and equally knowledgeable. Great experience!

Disappointing

Michael_B, Jul 2025
A nice river trip but not a lot to see. Guide did his best to make the trip enjoyable. Mary had a little lamb

I enjoyed the Smithwick’s...

Kathryn_G, Jun 2025
I enjoyed the Smithwick’s experience. Gavin was a knowledgeable host and the beer itself is quite tasty. The talking pictures were fun albeit a bit creepy!

Our guide was great and...

MaryKay_L, May 2025
Our guide was great and the bartender in the tasting room was great too. Sorry I don’t have their names. Learned some interesting things about Smithwick’s.

Smithwicks History

Wayne_H, May 2025
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.

Do not miss out

Suzanne_w, May 2025
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

Always awesome Smithwicks

Lisa_B, Mar 2025
Evan was humorous and very knowledgeable. Learned a lot about the Smithwick family and their interactions with and influence on Kilkenny town.

October 2019 Ireland Visit

Mary_C, Oct 2019
We all had an amazing time and no wimpy pourings like in the states when you try the product. Full half pint glasses. The tour was very surprising (I won't revel part with the bathroom couches) so anyone that takes the tour will be entertained. It is not your usual Brewery tour. This was a family tour, Son, Daughter & Son-in-law, me and my husband.

Smithwick's Brewery Tour

Priscilla A, Jun 2019
Great little tour of one of Ireland's best. Informative AND tasty! I recommend the this tour for any beer/ale lover.

First you will learn how to...

jessyann23, Jan 2018
First you will learn how to pronounce Smithwicks correctly. Informative and high tech tour as you learn the history of this beer and the secret to what makes it so good. At the end of the tour, enjoy your beer tasting with fellow tour mates. The town of Kilkenny is small and quaint. Smithwicks is easy to find.

Very fun experience. It's a short...

Jordan H, Nov 2017
Very fun experience. It's a short and intimate tour, and you get to learn quite a bit about the beer making process. They also allow you to interact with some ingredients, such as smelling different hops. The building is also right in the middle of the medieval mile of Kilkenny city, so it is conveniently nearby many other great pieces of history, like the Black Abbey. The tour doesn't take too long, and it is not too demanding physically. I recommend getting the package that gets you 3 beers at the end. It is not much more money, and you can relax and enjoy the nice bar at the end of the tour.

Not to be missed. This tour is a lot...

Cathy_C, Oct 2017
Not to be missed. This tour is a lot more intimate and entertaining than the Guiness tour, which is very crowded and chaotic. Smithwicks is a smaller brewery with an even longer history. Our tour guide was lovely, very welcoming, and informative - and the environment is much more charming.

Learned lots and is by far the best...

Jacee_G, Oct 2017
Learned lots and is by far the best brewery tour we have been on

Great way to begin our trip to Ireland...

LYNNS_P, Sep 2017
Great way to begin our trip to Ireland. Small group which turned out to be fun and friendly.

This tour is worth the time and...

Mary B, Jun 2017
This tour is worth the time and . What I found especially fun and unique was that they told the history of Kilkenny and the influences from outside foreign invasions on the brewery and town. Without spoiling anything, the tour was not just someone talking - there were lots of fun stations. Our guide was very knowledgeable and answered our questions. Pay a little extra for the paddle tasting.......it's worth it!

Excellent tour highlights the...

Lacey O, Oct 2016
Excellent tour highlights the history of the product and the family behind it. Pronounced Smith-icks as the w is actually silent. They utilize moving pictures framed TVs in one room to tell part of the history which was very well done and informative. Who wouldn't want to end their tour with a delicious pint or half pint of their product?!?

This tour is set up like a smaller...

Luka B, Aug 2016
This tour is set up like a smaller version of what you get in Dublin in Guinness Storehouse. So if you have seen the Dublin version, this comes as being just ok.

Really enjoyable great commentary...

Seamus H, Jun 2016
Really enjoyable great commentary and a really interesting hour. Would recommend it. The audio visual was amazing a must see.

This was a great experience to learn...

Kim L, Jan 2016
This was a great experience to learn the history and how the beer is created in a unique way. My only negative comment is that the group size was too large for the tour, as you didn't feel like you got enough time to see and explore the things on the tour, with so many people in the room. Take the tour from 30 guests to 10 guests at a time.
Member Pricing
From

$25.54

per person
Was $26.89(-5%)

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 30 days in advance.