Wicklow offers various experiences that bring you to the heart of locally crafted drinks and tell the story of ideas, knowledge and passion to produce local flavours to drink. Whether it’s beer, liqueur or wine, Wicklow has an array of exceptional breweries, distilleries and even a winery, that run tours and tastings to suit your buds.
For fans of the ‘black stuff’, come and see the pint shaped Guinness Lake at Lough Tay.
Wicklow Brewery
Redcross: This brewery believes the best beers are made fresh, and enjoyed fresh.
At Wicklow Brewery, the quicker the pint reaches the lips, the better- and by that, we mean they don’t waste any time from the production process to the enjoying process! Head brewer Bryan Kelly says; “by using our own home-grown malted barley and pure water from our own land, we don’t barrel and store the beer in a warehouse for weeks.” For Bryan, the magic of making a beer begins at the raw ingredients you choose, and it’s only complete when someone buys and enjoys, your product. But the brewery isn’t the only attraction on the premises, there’s Mickey Finn’s Pub and Restaurant as well as The River Valley Glamping experience. You could quite literally plan your entire weekend here in this one spot.
Powerscourt Distillery
Enniskerry: Possibly the grandest of the tours offered in Wicklow, is the Powerscourt Distillery Experience, situated within the stunning grounds of the Powerscourt Estate. This special pairing has been carefully put together by in-house chef and food and beverage historian, Santina Kennedy. Inspired by the quality of Powerscourt’s Fercullen whiskey range and the history and location of the Powerscourt Distillery, Santina has chosen foods that reflect the history, legacy and the innovation of local food producers. Santina, who is a Wicklow native herself, has a personal interest in the heritage of the Powerscourt estate, which is apparent throughout the tour. Her ancestors worked in the Mill House when it was a central part of farming life on the Powerscourt Estate over hundreds of years. The food and whiskey pairings include Irish Farmhouse Cheeses, many of which come from Wicklow.
Wicklow Way Wines
Newtownmountkennedy: From the mountains of California into the valley of the Wicklow mountains, this wine combines a love for Irish food, flavours and nature. Brett and Pamela took what they learnt in California, Florida and Massachusetts and brought it home to Ireland where they opened their vineyard on the outskirts of Newtownmountkennedy, just 15 minutes from south Dublin. The Wicklow Way Winery offer tours of the winery for small groups, followed by a wine tasting of three wines, along with local artisan cheese and chocolate pairings. By the end of the tour and tasting you’ll walk away with a new appreciation of wine, wine tasting, food pairings and the care and precision that go into the whole process, from meadow to glass. Wine, chocolate, cheese and the Wicklow Mountains, what more could you want?
O Brother Brewing
Greystones: Located in the stunning surrounds of Belmont Demesne, Greystones, O Brother Brewing is a multi award-winning, family-run Irish craft brewery offering one of the most unique Wicklow brewery tours and taproom experiences. Set within a Georgian walled garden and surrounded by woodland trails and bike routes, our Wicklow taproom is open Friday to Sunday (12–7pm). Beer lovers, passing hikers or cyclists, friends or families can enjoy award-winning craft beer in Wicklow at its source. Drop in for a fresh pint in the garden, share an antipasti platter on Saturdays and Sundays, or book in for one of our guided brewery tours. Founded by the O’Neill brothers in 2014, O Brother Brewing has grown from a small industrial unit in Kilcoole into one of Ireland’s most exciting independent breweries. We’re proud members of Love Irish Food and Origin Green, and our beers have been recognised nationally and internationally with Great Taste Awards, Blas na hÉireann, and World Beer Awards. Our ethos champions creativity, community, and local produce and that spirit carries through to our brewery tours and taproom experience.
Wicklow Wolf
Newtownmountkennedy: This craft beer is quickly becoming one of the more popular pints to have pulled in your local. Established in 2014 by two friends with a mutual love for good craft beer, this beer is brewed not only with love but in a sustainable way. They brew 8 different beers which they call their ‘Alpha Pack’, but they also have a range of limited-edition beers. Learn about the power of the Wicklow mountains and how they capture that in their craft beer and what’s the story behind the wolf.
Bailey’s Liqueur Farm
Tinahely: There are some things we do, only once a year. One of those things is drink a Baileys, whether it’s on ice, in your coffee or poured over your warm Christmas pudding. Baileys has its place in everyone’s annual calendar. So, imagine going to the farm and seeing the silky, creamy magic being made in real life? What a festive treat that would be, or just a treat in general, no festive occasion needed! The Baileys farm in Tinahely is something for everyone in the family. Their 30/40-minute workshop tour includes a mixing demonstration of the ingredients used to make Baileys and a short history of the liqueur….as well as multiple samples of one of Ireland’s most successful brands!
