9 Interesting Facts About Guinness Beer

Guinness is one of the world’s most famous beers, originating from Dublin, Ireland. First brewed in 1759 by Arthur Guinness, it is a distinctive stout known for its dark color, creamy head, and rich flavor. Today, it is brewed in over 50 countries and sold in more than 150. Guinness has a reputation not just for its unique taste but also for its cultural significance, particularly in Ireland.

Guinness is owned by Diageo, a British multinational beverage company. Diageo is one of the world’s largest producers of spirits and beers, with a portfolio that includes brands such as Johnnie Walker, Baileys, and Smirnoff. As of 2023, Guinness generates substantial revenue as a part of Diageo’s beer portfolio, which was estimated at £12.73 billion in total revenue across its business lines.

Place Among Beer Makers

Guinness is one of the most iconic beers in the world, often ranked among the top-selling and most recognizable beer brands globally. In terms of the beer market, Guinness remains a strong player, especially in the stout category. Its position, however, is often seen as a niche compared to mass-market lagers like Heineken or Budweiser, but its unique flavor and cultural cachet make it a dominant force in its category.

Interesting Facts

1. The 9,000-Year Lease: When Arthur Guinness started brewing in 1759, he signed a lease for the St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin for an incredible 9,000 years at a rent of £45 per year. This audacious lease is a famous part of the Guinness legend, and the brewery remains there today.
2. Guinness and Iron: It’s often said that Guinness contains iron, which led to a popular belief that it was good for your health. While the iron content is minimal, Guinness used to be recommended for pregnant women and those recovering from illness due to its high nutrient content. However, modern science has debunked these claims, and alcohol consumption is generally discouraged for such groups.
3. Guinness and the Harp: The harp, a national symbol of Ireland, is also the emblem of Guinness. The brand registered the harp as its trademark in 1862 before it became the official emblem of the Irish state. However, the two harps are slightly different—the government’s harp faces the opposite direction to avoid legal issues with the brewery.
4. Guinness Book of World Records: Guinness is responsible for the creation of the Guinness World Records. In 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of Guinness at the time, had an argument about which game bird was the fastest in Europe. He realized that a book answering such questions would be useful, leading to the first edition of the records book in 1955. It has since become a global phenomenon.
5. Arthur Guinness Day: Every year on September 23rd, fans of Guinness around the world celebrate Arthur Guinness Day in honor of the beer’s founder. Events, concerts, and celebrations take place across the globe, particularly in Ireland. It’s a way to recognize the man behind one of the world’s most iconic drinks.
6. The Great Guinness Flood (1913): In 1913, a large vat of beer in the St. James’s Gate Brewery burst, causing 2.5 million liters of beer to flood the streets of Dublin. The incident caused considerable damage to surrounding areas and is one of the most well-known accidents in the brewery’s history.
7. Health Claims Controversy: For many years, Guinness was marketed with the slogan, “Guinness is good for you,” based on the belief that its iron content provided health benefits. Modern science has debunked this claim, and Guinness has since dropped the slogan. In fact, health authorities now warn against alcohol consumption for pregnant women and those recovering from illness, who were once told to drink it for its supposed nutritional value.
8. COVID-19 Shutdown: The St. James’s Gate Brewery temporarily shut down production in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking one of the rare times in its long history that the brewery stopped brewing. This closure was part of the global slowdown, significantly impacting Guinness sales, particularly in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
9. Guinness Ads Banned in the UK: In 2008, a UK ad for Guinness showing a group of men performing death-defying stunts was banned by advertising regulators. The ad, which included sequences of surfing on cars and leaping through fire, was deemed to promote dangerous behavior and was pulled from television after complaints from viewers.