The Final Draft > A Taste of Kilkenny. Why the Smithwick’s Experience is a Top Summer Stop
A Taste of Kilkenny. Why the Smithwick’s Experience is a Top Summer Stop
We love our city all year round, but it’s fair to say that Kilkenny is at its liveliest in the summertime. Long days and lovely evening stretches mean that you can fill your days with so many of the fantastic attractions and activities that the city (and county) has to offer. And with so much happening in Kilkenny in summer, you are truly spoiled for choice! So why do we remain such a popular summertime stop, and one of the best things to do in Kilkenny? Here are just a few reasons…
Right in the heart of the city
Our central location makes us an easy spot to reach, no matter what else you’ve got planned for your day. Have you booked a kayaking trip or a cruise on the Nore? You can be back on dry land and at our door in just a few minutes’ walk. Want to enjoy a picnic in the sun, in the beautiful gardens of Kilkenny Castle? You can be there within ten minutes of finishing your complimentary pint at the end of our tour. Our central location right on Kilkenny’s famous Medieval Mile makes us a natural stop for anyone spending a busy day exploring the best that the city has to offer.
A tour is easy to slot into your day
Our Standard Smithwick’s Experience beer tasting tour takes around an hour from start to finish, and our Masters of Ale Experience takes about 75 minutes. Our standard tour schedule starts at 11 am every day with the last slot at 5 pm, and a tour runs every 20 minutes. No matter how packed your Kilkenny summer itinerary is, you should easily be able to find a time that suits.
If you want to try our fantastic new Masters of Ale Experience, which we launched in 2024, it’s scheduled for 5:20 pm daily and is a great way to wind down after a day’s sightseeing in the sun.
A cool break on a hot day
Our old stone walls were built long ago, and they keep us all cool even through the hottest summer days. If the summer gets a little too sweltering, why not come in and cool off? Step out of the sun and back in time, as you tour the cool halls of the old stone abbey to learn about its rich legacy of brewing.
The Barrel Yard comes alive in summer
Above all else, our Barrel Yard is a firm summertime favourite. Jam packed with events and full of atmosphere, it draws visitors, tourists and locals alike to Parliament Street in summertime. Every May we transform this once purely functional brewery space into something incredible.
Where once barrels were stored and repaired, we have built a buzzing hub of live music, food trucks, good times and perfect pours. The Barrel Yard Sessions have become a bit of a local legend when it comes to summertime socialising in Kilkenny. In a city known for its wonderful live music scene, we wanted to ensure we were part of keeping the culture alive, and the Sessions have been a success from the start.
Admission to the Barrel Yard Sessions is free, with plenty of seating and standing room throughout the space. It’s even heated, to keep you from getting chilly when the warm summer days turn into cooler evenings. You’ll find the music lineup on our Social Media channels, so make sure to follow us and keep up with the great bands we’ll be showcasing all summer.
Make sure you book your summertime slot for the Smithwick’s brewery tour
We’re very proud that every summer, when Kilkenny is at its fullest with visitors, so are we. The atmosphere around the beer brewery and Barrel Yard is always second-to-none, as we welcome visitors from all over the world.
No matter how busy we are, we never overcrowd or rush our brewery tours. To ensure your enjoyment, we stick to a limited group size for each tour. Because of this, we recommend booking your slot in advance to ensure you get the timeslot you’d like.