Guinness Brewing North America Review

This place is very much a tourist attraction.. but, if you can get past that it's pretty darn great.

Its Guinness, need I say more? They have some stuff brewed there, and others that are from St James Gate. Amazing food selection and flavor. Definitely a must hit

I know I'm a single divorced guy but when I ask for a table in the sun and there are plenty of tables in the sun then I want a table in the sun.

Great tasting and guided tour in a fun, well organized space. Plentiful outdoor seating means this will be *packed* in the warmer months!

Staff super friendly, beer was great. It's an actual experimental brewery. Great gift shop. Took the tour, Lucas knew his history and was a great host. Can't wait to bring famliy when they certainly to visit!

Beautiful facility, great service and good beer. I was incredibly impressed with the measures they are taking to make the site safe but welcoming in this COVID environment. The gotab system on the tables works great and allows for simple seamless experience. They have really thought through how to ensure people can still relax and stay safe.

We've been to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin a couple of times and this is about as close as you can get without a plane ticket! We loved every minute of our time here. The people were lovely, the beer was delicious, and the food was amazing. It definitely gave us that little magical feeling you get when you walk through the Storehouse at St. Jame's Gate, despite the smaller scale. I can't wait to bring more of my family and friends here!

Beautiful place, nice menu selection, but the coffee maker is broken? No coffee to end the meal? Nobody could run to Walmart and buy one? Good food, but I sense a lack of commitment by restaurant management.

Attended the Holiday Beer Dinner. The chefs prepared an incredible four course dinner. Beers were paired perfectly with each course. The rabbit porchetta was amazing and the Gingerbread Spiced Ale is a new favorite. Five stars for Chef Kevin, Chef Kamryn, Chef Victor, and the culinary team at Open Gate Brewery!

Loved the food, the atmosphere and their layout! The staff were friendly and helpful with all the questions and recommendations on the menu, a place I will be coming to again when I visit the area.

Great USA version of the Irish beers. Plus has the home brew on tap. Service staff very friendly.

Great beer, great food, and really have their ducks in a row when it comes to socially distanced dining

Fantastic place to visit, a lot of selection of beers , this is the only Guinness Brewery in USA

What a nice change from the warehouse setting at other local breweries. Can t wait for this place to mature with shade trees, restaurant, and more locally brewed choices than their hoppy blond (I would call it an aromatic IPA). Regardless, worth stopping and sitting sipping a spell

Delicious beer, loads of variety. The food selection is scarce with no food truck. Great service!

Was expecting more from Guiness. Food taste like food from a chain restaurant. Been to many breweries with nicer atmosphere. Very strange decor upstairs

The Tour was amazing, learning about the history about Guinness. Very friendly atmosphere and relaxed. Me and my Wife enjoyed the Beer tasting after the tour. The person who gave the tour was so informative about the history of the company and Guinness. The Restaurant within the Guiness building was good, Restaurant 1817. I definitely will tell my friends my good experience so they would go there. I definitely enjoyed the Day there with my wife...This place is one for the books!

An American version of the Guinness brewery in Dublin. Still new so not a full fledged tourist trap yet. Worth the stop for a flight to try beers only found here. Staff is knowledgeable and plenty of knick knacks to purchase.

Great, relaxed, almost Cheers-like atmosphere. Staff was very courteous and knowledgeable about the beer and food selections. Food and drinks were amazing.

Excellent food, beer and service. Gift shop has some cool stuff. Overall very nice place and lots of employees to help you out.

Highly recommend. Our tour guide was engaging, extremely friendly, and very knowledgeable. Great atmosphere!

Had a great time. Atmosphere was great, food and drinks were great. Had two tabs one was mine and one was my husbands. My father in law decided to pay for ours and we were still charged on our cards and as well his that he PAID FOR US. Tried contacting by phone and email to speak to a manager and nothing . Happened to one of our friends same day as well they were double charged. Now I will have to drive an hour to speak to a manager because they have poor management skills to be able to contact a customer back.

Awesome bulleit stout and good bar food. Super crowded... hard to find a table or seating in bar area. Restaurant smelled delicious... expensive but since the bar food was so good, I'm pretty sure it will be delicious.

The final stop of the night. Still baffled as to why Guinness would open up their first U.S. location in the Baltimore area, but I m glad they did. Holy hell, this place was huge. There were so many beers to taste, and I can t wait to come back.

Absolutely spectacular service. We went to the restaurant (upstairs). I ve been here three times already and was not disappointed. The Guinness beef stew and Shepard s pie are both amazing.
They recently added a shelter for people waiting for Lyft rides too, which I thought was a nice touch. Would highly recommend.

*This review is only for the bar, restaurant was closed. Stunning bar area and seatting. Modern, open and lots of seating. Staff was friendly although when we went there they stopped taking food orders at the table. Food was your typical bar foods, crab dip, chicken fingers and decently good fried brussel sprouts. Definitely don't go here just for the food. Beers were on point and acutally had some variety which was a pleasent surprise. They do definitely have something for everyone but don't pass up a classic. Good times all round

Fresh air vibe that reminds you of life before COVID-19

Staff is very friendly and attentive. Food was good. Nice selection of beers.

A very fun environment with great indoor and outdoor seating. Never once felt overcrowded. Awesome beer. Will definitely return!

Great place if you love beer and have a open mind for experimenting. You must make reservations before coming. Nothing is cheap here . If you come be prepared to spend some money. The Beef Stew is the way to go if you choose to go the cheap route. Only $8 , with some warm bread you are good to go . Don't order the Sea bass. You will be upset. It's expensive and looks like it was made for a 5 year old to eat . The beers are amazing. Atmosphere is top notch. Staff is warm and inviting. Definitely would recommend this place for beer lovers . 100%!! The menu needs to be done over . Definitely not a Maryland style menu. Other then that I will be back for the DELICIOUS BEER and finger foods.

Good atmosphere and fantastic beer. We joked about the burger somehow not coming with fries but we weren't expecting it to be missing everything on the burger as well. It should be more clear that you're paying 15$ for a cheeseburger that you could get at McDonald's. Also the black eyed susan (12$) comes only half full since it's a higher percent? It tastes like fig, saving you the trouble of ordering it. ;)

Nice open complex to spend time relaxing outside with friends and family. Some self guided and a guided tour indoors along with good food options in the tasting bar and restaurant.

Did the tour with an additional tasting. It was very informative and the opportunity to try the experimental beers they are brewing was very cool!

Fun, lively and popular place to spend time with friends or go for happy hour. Plenty of parking on site. Despite the large space inside where the bar is located there didn't seem like there was enough space. Maybe the bar is just too big for the space? The food was decent and despite standing because of limited seating, a good time was had by all. The bathrooms are for single use but they are unisex. Guys leaving the toilet up could become a bother for the ladies. Just a thought

LOVE this place. Great beer and great food...what more do you need?

Amazing tour, great food, amazing atmosphere. So cool to have this in Baltimore!

Good beer and good food. It will satisfy your expectations. You can leave your car in the car park for 2 days, if tend to over indulge. If taking the tour, be sure to ask for Jim. He keeps things cheerful.

Beautiful and spacious. Top notch service and great food and beer! A must see place for sure

Awesome tour, with great brewery historical facts and great beers

The beers were good as well as the ambiance. The server was not attentive, we had empty water and beer glasses for some time. We ordered the tartare, beef stew and brick chicken. Tartare was good and the girlfriend enjoyed the beef stew. The brick chicken, especially the sides, was good. Unfortunately the corn bread was hard and dry.

Awesome place and the curbside pick up is fast and easy. Only issue is to give a google review you have to use maps, I couldn't do it from google itseld.

Do your self a favor and visit the brewery. The food is good and the beer is outstanding! Enjoy inside or outside.

If you are a craft beer person, you won t like this BEER FACTORY. I loved Guinness and i was very excited to come to their local brewery. I was sad to found out their canned beer tasted better than draft. On top of that, their wood is awful, everything is pricey, and the atmosphere is unfriendly. Think of a factory when going!

Great bar food and fresh, creamy foamed Guiness on tap. Lots of delicious stout options and large interior layout makes it an easy choice for a midweek gathering with colleagues or friends. Visited from out of town and really enjoyed the atmosphere.

I like this place. Sleek, clean and modern. Plenty of space inside. Nice restaurant up stairs and great bar on the first floor. It was cold, so we didn't venture outside, but the outdoor space looks amazing for better weather.

Had lunch there, food was good. Beer is fresh. Did the tour, guide was very knowledgeable, brought group into for comments / feedback. Will do again when back in this part of the country.

A great place to visit, with good beer and good food. Guinness has done a really nice job with the new brewery south of Baltimore, with a great outdoor seating area, a bar on one floor and a restaurant on another. And they have a rotating beer list along with the usual Guinness beers. Not sure if they change their menu regularly but that would make it a reason to come back more frequently.

This place is pretty cool. Extensive outdoor seating. Great draught beer, beyond the stout they're known for. The food is really good too, but the ordering is unique.. even before covid. The portion sizes are decent, except for the burger. The patty was small, but made up for it in flavor.

Great beers, LARGE facility, clean, friendly staff, food was Ok-ish. Restaurant didnt have a very big selection and the price was a tad high for the quality. But the beer was great.

Large outdoor and even larger indoor areas. Corn hole, jumbo jenga, music. Great hangout

Awesome place all around!! Super Family Friendly for a brewery, awesome experiences to be a part of, amazing tour! Fun for everyone regardless of age!! Would give 12 stars if I could

Nice work on social distancing. Sat outside. Tables clean and with umbrellas. Could order food and drinks with a nice app by scanning a barcode on the table. All brought out quickly by staff. You could also go up to the outside bar to order. Good food and beer of course with plenty of options. Mask required during this time any time leaving your table.

They seriously have their stuff together. I'm super impressed. It ran like a well oiled machine. During the COVID restrictions my wife and I decided to head out for some beer and food.

We were able to scan a QR code with our phones and start a tab. When ordering beer they brought it over in under a minute. Unreal!

The food was amazing as was the beer.

The facility was super clean and Guinness is taking the covid guidelines more seriously than any vendor I've dealt with this year.

One of the coolest place. Staffs were very friendly as well. Good choices of beer and outdoor setup was cool as well. But food wasn't that great though. Couple of good appetizers on the food menu will be great.

A spring tasting tour was just what my wife and I needed for a date night. It was very centered on the process of making beer so it was kind of dull. I was hoping for more history of Guinness. It was sprinkled in here and there but our tour guide Sam was pretty thorough with water, barley, hops, yeast and brewing process. Don't get me wrong that stuff can be interesting, I just wanted more Guinness trivia. My wife and I also had dinner at the resteraunt. The food was edible, but it lacked that dynamic which compells me to eat there again. The atmosphere was really where this place shined. On a summer day, I could go there just to grab a beer and play corn hole (yes, they have corn hole on site) as well as a huge courtyard with tables and beach chairs to relax in.

The facility is beautiful with so much to do! Our tour guide, Jim was extremely knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. The staff were courteous and went above and beyond to make our visit enjoyable. This is definitely a must do for anyone visiting the Baltimore Washington area!

We had a wonderful afternoon here! 7 of us were able to get a large table without any wait. We created a nice base with their crab poutine and bacon cheese fries, both fantastic! We were able to sample a good amount of their beers with several flights. Unfortunately, all the tours were booked that day, so we explored on our own. Dropped a paycheck at the gift store and was delighted I could have all my new Guinness glassware engraved for a nominal fee. We ended our visit with their dessert flight, which everyone needs to sample. Beautiful place, outdoor space is amazing and looking forward to another visit.

Went there for my husband's birthday: so so fun! We got dinner in the restaurant and then went on the brewery tour. The food in the restaurant was absolutely delicious! A little pricey, but for a special occasion it was worth it. The tour was incredible. I didn't go in with any expectations, but our tour guide was so incredibly knowledgable about the beer making process (should out to Amelia!). I learned so much! Maybe home brewing is in my future? Ha ha. Highly recommend.

I bought Tour tix for six of us and the hour tour was informative. Grab your one free beer before the tour(included), and enjoy the bar and light fare at the bar afterwards. Looking forward to enjoying the large outdoor open space this summer.

Four of us went for a guided tour followed by a guided tasting and then ended our evening with dinner at their 1817 Restaurant. From the time we walked onto the grounds until we left we enjoyed everything about our visit. The tour was fun and informative. The tasting exposed us to some products that aren t even on the market yet. When we went to dinner we were able to choose some of the beers we tasted that you aren t able to purchase anywhere else. We all had different entrees: steak, flatbread, burger & paella and ended with the Banana Bread Pudding- we absolutely loved all of it. Prices are a bit steep but, honestly, worth it. Next time I d probably try the less expensive options in the Tap Room but this was a treat. We ll definitely be back with more friends! Awesome experience!

The host on the guided tour "Sam" was extremely informative and held the attention of our group the entire time. The atmosphere was very energetic throughout the facility and the food at the restaurant was spectacular! Will definitely be back soon!!

Nice place but 2 flights and a pint for $50... Cmon

This place is absolutely awesome! The staff are professional, polite, and really know Guinness beer. The outside layout is perfect for relaxing and enjoying outdoor games. The inside is spacious and has a very warm welcome feel about it. I attend the free tour that only amplified my willingness to return.

Beer is great, lots of options. Venue is really nice but the restaurant was over an hour wait and its on the expensive side, which is okay if the food is exceptional. My meal came out out and was barely warm I sent it back they took it off the bill but no real apology. Lots of good restaurants in Baltimore not going to be going back to the Guinness's restaurant, really disappointing.

Wonderful fun and informative. The food was high quality and wait staff very helpful.

This is reminiscent of the Sierra Nevada brewery complex near Asheville NC. When weather is nice there are plenty of outdoor spaces where you can enjoy food and beer. Very good selection of beers, as you would expect. We went to the downstairs bar. The food selection there was more bar-like and not that remarkable. There's an upstairs restaurant but its hard to get into since they're still new and the crowds are thick. Also a gift shop if you want some Guiness swag.

What an authentic and wonderful venue for Guinness brews of all kinds, live music, food, and tours. This is such a unique place that I can't wait to come back!

Edit: I have since spoken with the brewery's general manager, who addressed the issue described below. The brewery now provides signs indicating that pocket knives are prohibited on their website and at the entrance.

Security guards were rude and took issue to carrying a simple pocket knife, even though there is no sign at the entrance indicating this policy. The security guard claimed that the rule prohibiting pocket knives is listed on the brewery's website. I have since checked the website and there is no mention of any prohibited items whatsoever. MD state and local law also do not prohibit the carry of pocket knives.

Went to the brand new barrel house and taproom on opening day. First impressions were very good, a very spacious taproom with outdoor patio and balcony seating, not to mention a large beer garden style courtyard. Even with an absolutely packed opening day, it was not close-feeling and I did not feel claustrophobic.

We were able to get a table at the main bar area and I was VERY pleasantly surprised with the level of service despite the rush. Malik, who I understand will be serving at the restaurant upon its opening, was outstanding. We never went long without him stopping by and the beers were not terribly long in coming after our order. Perhaps one of the most unexpected successes in my book was the food. I expected tasty but uninspired "corporate-approved" menus; however, the food was very good and I must say, I was stunned by the timeliness with which it was served.

The place was well-staffed for the opening weekend and everyone was not just pleasant, but genuinely friendly. I spoke with Malik (our server), a tour guide, and some of the merchandise associates and all were very upbeat even after what was, presumably, a very long day.

Overall, its an experience, to be sure. It does not have the "hometown craft brewery" feel that some may be looking for, but the building and grounds are fantastic and the food and beer is of a quality that tests my patience awaiting the opening of the restaurant. I'll be going back.

Awesome experience and great brewery. The bar and the grounds are kept impeccably clean. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable and all seem to have a sense of pride for the company.

Really fun time there, can't wait to go back.

Good food, good beer. However, on the day I went all bartenders and tour guides were white. Most of cleaning and security were people of color. Take a look at B- more and try a little harder Guinness

I had a great time on the tour and enjoyed the bar and shopping in the store. I have been to the Dublin facility and enjoyed it as well. I would recomend it for anyone.

Great experience. I recommend if your passing through.

Great place! Great food! Lots of fun. And of course....great beer

Friendly, attentive staff. Great food, and most importantly an great selection of delicious beer! If you're a Guinness lover or a general beer lover definitely put Open Gate on your list. My experience here was memorable and I'll definitely be coming back.

Great staff, good selection of beer and the tour is informative and fun.

Excellent place to go. The have a good bear, food, tours and a huge patio.

Had a great tour experience walking through the brewery and learning the rich history of Guinness. Ashleigh was a great tour guide and was very funny and knowledgeable, was tough to stump her! Thanks for a great time!

This place is so cool. Guinness Brewery pumped some serious money into an Baltimore landmark and made a fantastic brewery and customer experience. The place is super clean, the staff is amazing, and the beers are ridiculously good. Prices are decent, and definitely sign up for the Guided Tour. Will be coming back for sure!

Tour guide was knowledgeable. Layout was terrific with easy access to all floors & rooms. Food was exceptional with a wonderful server. Everyone was extremely friendly & facilities were spotlessly clean. Last, but not least, the Guinness! Tried a variety of 3 & they were all delicious. Especially the Bourbon barrel Guinness. Also, the original draft brought me back to my home away from home - Dublin, Ireland.

This place is awesome. Ambience is awesome. Inside and outside is awesome. Decor and building is awesome. The beer is freaking amazing. It's crowded, but that's fine. My only complaint is the price of the beer. There's one beer that's 7.50. Everything else is $8-11. $8 for a 5% beer is way too much money. This should be $5 - 6. I bought a flight of 5 - 10% beers that came with 4 samples and it was $22. This is literally my only complaint. Everything else about this brewery is amazing.

I don't have much to comment on, since only the indoor main bar area was open when we went but this is a very cool venue. I am not a huge beer drinker and was pleasantly surprised to find a fruitier beer on the menu that I actually enjoyed. The seemed to have something for everyone. The acoustics inside aren't great and it's hard to hear each other, but otherwise we had a good experience and would return.

A bunch of diferent beers to try. Didn't try too much of the food but we got an order of fries and they were awesome. The building and the grounds are really cool. Didn't get a chance to do a tour, but maybe next time.

The location is fantastic. If you want a 5 star beer garden in the summer with live music, this is the place to impress your friends. The beer is standard with a few interesting twists every visit, but if you come to Guinness, you are coming for the atmosphere.

Great tour.. and the appetizers, meal was on par,and the Tour you got to sample the beers and some experimental ones that are not released to the public.. what a great place to go to have some food, beer and enjoy the history of Guinness..

Great service and their new brunch menu. Comfortable seating tables are not on top of each other and you can hold a conversation at your table without hearing another tables conversation. I ordered french toast made with Texas toast, Bullet barrel stout maple syrup with a vanilla pecan ice cream scoop.

We had a fantastic time on our tour! It was totally worth adding the guided tasting to our tour, as well! And our dinner was delicious! We had a wonderful experience and will definitely go again!!

Great fun! I took my brother there for his birthday. He is somewhat of a beer connoisseur and he was very impressed. The guided tour and tasting was very informative and enjoyable. The restaurant upstairs was reasonably priced and the food was delicious. I cannot wait to go back.

If you like beer, come check this place out! You will not be disappointed!

The brewery tour and tasting was really good and totally worth the price. Our guide seemed to be an expert on all things beer, wine and spirits.
The upstairs restaurant was nice. Employees were well trained from hosts to servers.
The reason for 4 not 5 stars was no good vegetarian options such as IRISH BOXTY. The only option for me was beyond meat . Not a good choice as it is too meat like for vegetarians.

Great brewery, great bar, great store, great restaurant plus activities and an inviting atmosphere! Not your typical breezy tour or bar scene. Good creative food selections. And best of all, the beers. Guinness did it right, they have their staple imports and their expanding American line (milk stout anyone?). But they have allowed for some insane craft brew specialty beers to be developed that you will only find here in store (maybe local markets if you are lucky). These beers are legit and will compete with any craft brew competitors. And they develop new ones every month in house. The only downside, is you have to be a local...

Love this place! Had a wonderful time with my friends and I am so happy that we have a place like this near Baltimore. The beer was awesome and food from the pub were decent.

Tried this with some friends. Food was very good. Excellent selection of their beers. Great service. No wait.

loved visiting with friends in the past and look forward to in the future - the current online ordering and payment system with the curbside pickup is easy and works great