Guinness is a stout beer that originated in Dublin, Ireland, in the 18th century. It is now owned by the British-based multinational alcoholic beverage maker Diageo and is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide. But is it a German beer?
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Brewery | St. James's Gate Brewery |
Brewery Location | Dublin, Ireland |
Brewery Founded | 1759 |
Brewery Founder | Arthur Guinness |
Brewery Owner | Diageo |
Main Product | Draught Guinness |
Beer Type | Stout |
Beer Colour | Dark |
Beer Flavour | Burnt |
Beer Temperature | 6-7 °C (42.8 °F) |
What You'll Learn
- Guinness is a stout originating from Dublin, Ireland, in the 18th century
- It is now owned by the British-based multinational alcoholic beverage maker Diageo
- Guinness is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide
- The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is a popular tourist attraction
- The beer is best served at 6-7°C (42.8°F)
Guinness is a stout originating from Dublin, Ireland, in the 18th century
In 1759, Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease for a small brewery in Dublin, Ireland, at St. James's Gate. At the time, Guinness was 34 years old and had £100 to his name, which he used to establish the brewery. On December 31, 1759, Guinness signed the lease for an annual rent of £45.
Guinness started brewing ales in 1759 and quickly built a successful trade. In the 1770s, he began brewing porter, a new type of English beer. In May 1769, a decade after establishing his brewery, Guinness exported his first beer: six-and-a-half barrels were shipped to Great Britain.
In 1796, the first known export of Guinness left Dublin for England, marking a pivotal moment in bringing Guinness to the global stage. By 1799, Guinness decided to focus exclusively on porter, the now-famous black stout.
Guinness has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 18th century. Today, it is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide, brewed in almost 50 countries and available in over 120.
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It is now owned by the British-based multinational alcoholic beverage maker Diageo
Guinness is now owned by the British-based multinational alcoholic beverage maker Diageo. Diageo was formed in 1997 from the merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan. It is a major distributor of Scotch whisky and other spirits, and its leading brands include Guinness, Smirnoff, Baileys liqueur, Captain Morgan rum, and Tanqueray and Gordon's gin. Diageo has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. It also has a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
Diageo is headquartered in London, England, and operates from 132 sites around the world. The company's name was invented by the branding consultancy Wolff Olins and is derived from the Latin word "dies", meaning "day", and the Greek root "geo-", meaning "earth". This is meant to reference the company slogan, "Celebrating Life, Every Day, Everywhere".
In addition to Guinness, Diageo owns a diverse range of alcohol brands, including single malt Scotch whiskies such as Cardhu and Talisker, blended Scotch whiskies like Johnnie Walker and J&B, Irish whiskey Roe & Co, and American whiskey Bulleit. They also own beer brands such as Harp Lager and Hop House 13, cider Rockshore Apple Cider, gin brands Tanqueray and Gordon's, and vodka Smirnoff and Ketel One, among others.
Diageo has expanded its business through the acquisition of alcohol companies worldwide, including the Chinese baijiu manufacturer Sichuan Shuijingfang Company, Turkish liquor company Mey Icki, and Brazilian cachaça producer Ypióca. The company has also divested some assets, such as the sale of the Red Stripe beer brand to Heineken and the sale of its wine business to Treasury Wine Estates.
Guinness itself was established in 1759 by Arthur Guinness, who signed a 9,000-year lease on St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. It is now brewed in over 50 countries and enjoyed in around 150 countries worldwide. The brand has a rich history and is known for its distinctive flavour and colour. Diageo's stewardship of the Guinness brand has included innovations such as the launch of alcohol-free beer Guinness 0.0% and Guinness Cold Brew Coffee Beer, as well as pioneering dispense technology like Guinness MicroDraught.
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Guinness is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide
Guinness is a stout that was first brewed in Dublin, Ireland, in the 18th century. It is now owned by Diageo, a British-based multinational alcoholic beverage company. Guinness is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide, brewed in almost 50 countries and sold in over 120.
The success of Guinness can be attributed to several factors, including its rich history, distinctive taste, and effective marketing campaigns. The brand has a long and fascinating history that began in 1759 when Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin. The brewery became the largest in Ireland in 1838 and the largest in the world by 1886, with an annual output of 1.2 million barrels.
Guinness has a unique taste that has contributed to its success worldwide. The flavour derives from malted barley and roasted unmalted barley, which gives it a sharp lactic acid flavour. The draught beer is also known for its thick, creamy head, achieved by mixing the beer with nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
Guinness has had a long history of innovative and memorable marketing campaigns, from television advertisements to beer mats and posters. One of their most notable campaigns, created by S.H. Benson's advertising in the 1930s and 1940s, featured animals such as a kangaroo, ostrich, and toucan, with slogans like "Guinness is Good for You" and "Guinness Makes You Strong".
In addition to its history, taste, and marketing, Guinness has also adapted to changing consumer preferences and market demands. For example, in response to declining sales in the 1970s, they relaunched Guinness Extra Stout with a reduced gravity and pale malt, making it more "drinkable". They have also introduced new products, such as Guinness Blonde, a lager brewed in the United States, and Guinness 0.0%, an alcohol-free beer.
Guinness has a significant presence in the African market, where it has been sold since 1827. About 40% of the total Guinness volume is brewed and sold in Africa, with Foreign Extra Stout being the most popular variant. The brand also has a strong following in Ireland, where it is the best-selling alcoholic drink, and the United Kingdom, where it is the most popular draught beer.
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The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is a popular tourist attraction
No, Guinness is not a German beer. It is a stout that was first brewed in the 18th century at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, by Arthur Guinness.
The Guinness Storehouse is a tourist attraction at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. Since opening in 2000, it has received over 20 million visitors. The storehouse is a converted brewing factory and is now a Guinness museum. It is Dublin's most popular tourist attraction, attracting over 1.7 million visitors in 2019.
The storehouse offers a self-guided tour that includes an account of the ingredients used to make the stout and a description of how it is made. Visitors can also learn the legendary six-step ritual of pouring their own pint at the Guinness Academy. The exhibition takes place over seven floors, in the shape of a 14-million-pint glass of Guinness. The final floor is the Gravity Bar, which offers a panoramic view of the city, where visitors can enjoy a complimentary pint of Guinness.
The Guinness Storehouse provides exceptional restaurant experiences, including the 1837 Bar & Brasserie, Arthur's Bar, and the Brewer's Dining Hall. It is within walking distance from Dublin city centre and can also be reached via the hop-on, hop-off bus.
The beer is best served at 6-7°C (42.8°F)
Guinness is a stout that originated in Dublin, Ireland, in the 18th century. It is now available in over 120 countries and is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide.
Traditionally, Guinness was served at cellar temperature, which is cooler than room temperature. In recent years, Guinness has also released an "Extra Cold" version, which is served at a lower temperature and is popular among younger drinkers.
The serving temperature can also depend on the variant of Guinness. For example, Guinness Draught is served chilled at 6-8°C, while Guinness Original/Extra Stout is served at a slightly higher temperature of 10°C.
Frequently asked questions
No, Guinness originated in Dublin, Ireland, in the 18th century.
Guinness is a stout beer, which is a dark, top-fermented beer with a creamy head.
Yes, Guinness is sold in over 150 countries worldwide, including Germany.
The alcohol content of Guinness beers varies, but it is typically between 4% and 8% ABV.