Published: March 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Renata Parker
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Dublin. It's the land of Guinness. It could very well be where Irish genius was born. After all, this shining empire of Guinness was built on just four simple ingredients — barley, hops, water and yeast. Who could predict that Guinness' unique spin on ale would became a beloved brand that would be embraced around the globe for more than 250 years.

Located in the heart of St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, the Guinness Storehouse has been home to the famous brew since 1759. It was a confident Arthur Guinness who launched the empire and signed a 9,000-year lease on the 64-acre St. James’s Gate property. Son of a land manager for the archbishop of Cashel, Guinness learned the basics of beermaking by watching his father prepare ale for his employees. Later, Guinness would use these fundamentals to create the signature ruby red brew that would become a legend.

The St. James’s Gate Brewery on the banks of the River Liffy is the largest stout export brewery in the world and produces a whopping three million pints a day. Once used as a fermentation plant, the brewery's storehouse was transformed 10 years ago and is now used to celebrate the empire's compelling history.

Shaped around a seven-story tall pint, the brew tour begins with an exhibit of the actual lease agreement and then spirals around to a number of fascinating exhibits that feature the process and a perfect dose of Irish history and culture. Free-flowing water from the Wicklow Mountains that is only used for brewing is the vein of the brewing exhibit. Master Brewer Fergal Murray provides an inside look at brewing techniques in the brewing exhibition. Guinness was stored and transported in handcrafted wooden barrels designed by a cooper. Visitors can watch how the barrels were created in the Cooperage exhibit — a true art. You'll be a Guinness connoisseur as you march around the pint. Along the way learn the correct six steps for pouring the perfect pint as well as the rituals for drinking it.

"It was certainly a tradition worth tasting," said Dolly Chewing, international marketing executive for South Carolina, who joined me for a brew tour. "I truly enjoyed learning about the history and the process.”

Take your newfound techniques and head to brew heaven on the seventh floor where visitors can take in the Gravity Bar and enjoy a free pint. As the highest bar in Dublin, the Gravity Bar offers panoramic views of the city. Soak in the scene while sipping one of the most legendary beverages in the world on the site where it all began. Raise your glass to Arthur Guinness for a toast. According to the locals, look like a pro by drinking from the same side of the glass, put your thumb on the harp emblem and keep the proud head of the foam constant.