Whitewater Brewery — Days Out NI

Into the working brewhouse

A guide takes you through the brewery's history and the full production process, so you see where and how the beer is brewed rather than just hearing about it. Because it's a live brewery, you may catch brewing in action, though that isn't guaranteed on any given day. The tour ends at the tap house with a tasting of the ales. Expect plenty of stories alongside the beer.

Guided tour Tasting included Over-18 drinking Working brewery Tap house bar Booking required

Good to know before you go:

Beyond the standard tour and taste, Whitewater runs tap house evenings and seasonal tasting events through the year. Dates and formats change, so check the brewery's TicketSource listings before planning a trip.

What to bring

🪪Photo IDYou need to be 18+ to drink — bring ID if you look under 25.

🚗A plan to get homeA designated driver or a lift, so everyone can enjoy a tasting.

👟Comfy shoesA working brewery tour means standing and a few stairs.

💷A few poundsFor the taproom and a bottle or two to take home.

Everything before you go

Getting in

Pre-booked guided tour only, booked online via TicketSource

Opening

Tour times are set and listed at booking; check before you go

Tours

Guided tour of the brewhouse ending with a tap house tasting; adults £20, ages 12-17 £15 with a paying adult

Age limits

Drinking is over-18 only with Challenge 25 and ID required; under-12s free but kept out of the production area

Food

Bar and restaurant on site

Family-friendly

Older children can attend with an adult, but it's an adult-focused brewery experience

Parking

On-site parking; coach parties welcome

Accessibility

Active brewery floor with potentially wet surfaces; closed footwear required - check access needs before you go

How long to allow

Around 1.5 to 2 hours; check exact length when booking

Address

Lakeside Brae, Clarkhill Road, Castlewellan, Co. Down, BT31 9RH

Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?

Pre-booked guided tour only, booked online via TicketSource

Are there tours?

Guided tour of the brewhouse ending with a tap house tasting; adults £20, ages 12-17 £15 with a paying adult

When is it open?

Tour times are set and listed at booking; check before you go

Is it family-friendly?

Older children can attend with an adult, but it's an adult-focused brewery experience

Is there food?

Bar and restaurant on site

Getting there

Whitewater Brewery is at Lakeside Brae, Clarkhill Road, Castlewellan, Co. Down, BT31 9RH. On-site parking; coach parties welcome. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps Official website See it on our map

Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around CastlewellanSee what else is close by More breweries & distilleries across NICraft beer, cider, gin and whiskey

The story

About Whitewater Brewery

Whitewater was founded in 1996 by Bernard and Kerry Sloan, who started out brewing on the family farm in the Mourne Mountains. The very first brew was made in a great-grandfather's shed before the business grew into the operation you visit today.

It has since become the largest craft brewery in Northern Ireland, producing cask beers, a lager and bottled ales. Its beers have picked up serious recognition over the years, including Great Taste Awards for Belfast Ale and Clotworthy Dobbin, and a place among an International Beer Challenge list of the world's top 50 beers in 2007.