(CHICAGO, Ill.) — The worldwide brand of Guinness has expanded even more in the United States.
Back in April, I visited the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. It was a classic, rainy day in Dublin, and the perfect opportunity to stay inside for hours on end and walk around the immense brewery that Guinness has to offer.
Earlier this fall, Guinness opened up an additional U.S. brewery in Chicago, Illinois. It’s located in the West Loop of the City, near Fulton Market.
In terms of visual appeal, I was blown away by the exquisite architecture and design of the brewery, yet relaxed by the comfortable atmosphere the bar provided.
The Open Gate Brewery offers a smaller gift shop where you can buy Guinness merchandise. Your next stop will be through the first-ever Guinness bakery. A dazzling array of lights hangs across the ceiling above you, offering a beautiful view as you walk through the brewery.
I did not stop for coffee and pastries, but this is an awesome addition for those who need a late morning or early afternoon pick-me-up, and for those who aren’t beer fans but love coffee!
Next you will head into the main bar & restaurant area. This is where I come back to beautiful architecture the brewery offers.
There is a giant harp sculpture above the bar in the middle of the room. Surrounded by tables and chairs, the brewery offers a place for patrons to sit down, relax, and have a pint + food.
There is also plenty space, if all tables are taken, for people to stand around, pint in hand, and enjoy the ambience of the brewery.
Part of Guinness’ nature is offering that “perfect pour” in your glass. I was asked by multiple people how the Guinness was in Chicago and if it differed from when I’ve had it elsewhere (including Ireland), to which I replied that it was equally amazing.
The bartender was very chill and welcoming, my friend Chris and I really enjoyed our time.
The food was exceptional. We split an order of fried cheese curds which were perfectly crispy and tasted so good.
I then had the corned beef board, which allowed me to make two 1/2 corned beef sandwiches that were equally phenomenal.
Alongside the corned beef board, I ordered a side of brussel sprouts for us to enjoy. They were really unique and had great flavor, but they were laid on top of a spicy sauce underneath it, which made it a little too spicy for us when eaten in large portions. Just something to keep in mind if you are not a huge fan of spicy foods, and to have plenty of water (or Guinness) on hand!
Of course I had to wear my Limerick GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) hurling jersey! If you’ve never heard of hurling, I’d highly recommend looking up highlights on YouTube, it seems so fun!
I will definitely be back to the Guinness Open Gate Chicago Brewery for more perfect pints and delicious food.
Matt Sheehan Official 