Visiting Cork...do Murphy or Beamish offer tours?

Beamish has closed.

 

As you probably know, Beamish and it's main Cork based rivals Murphy's ended up being owned by the same company (Heineken Ireland) who then proceeded to close the old Beamish & Crawford Brewery. They moved production of Beamish stout to the former Murphy's brewery (now called Heineken Ireland Brewery) and also ceased production of Beamish Red. The owners have received planning permission (October 2013) for a "Guinness Storehouse" type visitor centre, theatre etc., etc. for the old B & C site with just the old Counting house being retained (it is a protected building). As far as I know there are no visits allowed to either site apart from invited tours of the Heineken brewery as guests.

Other (and probably better) options in Cork city would be the Franciscan Well brewy/pub though recently acquired by Molson Coors and set to expand. Also new brewpub set to open officially in Feb 2014 but prob open now called the Cotton Ball
Cotton Ball details:
18 Old Youghal Road, Mayfield
Cork Ireland
Phone (021) 450 3096
Hours:
Mon - Thu: 10:30 am - 11:30 pm
Fri - Sat: 10:30 am - 12:30 am

Sun: 12:30 pm - 11:00 pm

There is a Cork Porterhouse in Sheare's street and the Bier house (near the Fran Well) should also be visited. Enjoy your visit Leeside.