The tour is fully interactive and suitable for beer lovers and history lovers alike.
The tour begins in 1231, long before John Smithwick ever set foot in the city. Walk the echoing halls in the Abbey of St. Francis, where clever monks found a way of purifying the deadly water that coursed through their land. Using the natural ingredients which grow in abundance near the abbey, they purified water from the local well by crafting it into ale.
From the moment you step into the Cole House, five generations of Smithwicks illuminate their story of unwavering endurance and unbeatable ingenuity through photos, portraits, letters and lively conversation. Cosy up by the fireplace and learn how one family turned a humble Kilkenny ale into a brew famous the world over!
In the Brewhouse you will learn about perfecting the art of mixing four simple ingredients to produce a ruby red ale enjoyed all over the world. But that doesn't mean we are resting on our laurels. We are constantly innovating, and in the Brewhouse you'll discover just what gives our ruby ale its unique character and flavour.
After an exciting trip back in time it is time for a rest pint! The perfect place to judge a pint of Smithwick's? A tasting room, of course. The distinctive taste of our ale, characterised by its fruity aroma and delicate notes, has been winning us awards since 1892. Each glass of our ale contains generations of tradition, experience and uncompromised quality. When you decide your pint has just the right appearance, aroma, taste and mouthfeel, sit back and enjoy the flavour that has made Smithwick's Ireland's favourite ale!
If you don't want to start your bus journey in the midday sunshine then why not take cover for a while and hop-off at Bus Stop 1, at Multicentro, one of the main shopping malls in Panama, with shops that fit everyone's tastes! If you fancy your chances then you can even visit the casino there! Hop-off at Bus Stop 2 and take a wander around the grounds of the famous Parque Urraca. Surrounded by trees and greenery also with a great view of the city, this park is the perfect place to stop and unwind! If you love the natural surroundings then be sure to hop-off at Miraflores.
You can check-in at the visitor centre to find out lots of exciting information and watch the boats pass the lock. Or why not take in the views of the Miraflores Lock up close and take a walk down the Panama Canal. This engineering marvel is a fifty-mile waterway that has been operating since 1914 and transports ships from sea level to 85 feet via a series of gravity-powered locks!
Next on the agenda at Bus Stop 5 is Biomuseo, the Biodiversity museum created by the famous Frank Gehry. The explosive colours of its exterior makes it very hard to miss! We'll take you straight to the Flamenco Island too where you can enjoy a fabulous walk along the marina and take in the stunning view of the skyline. Get ready to explore Panama's finest at your pace. Buy your Hop-On Hop-Off ticket online today and save!
