Is Guinness still brewed in Dublin?

Yes. The St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin has been the home of Guinness since 1759 and remains a major production facility. Guinness is also brewed at licensed facilities worldwide.

Is Guinness a beer or a stout?

Guinness is a dry stout, which is a type of beer. It is characterized by its deep black color, creamy white head, and distinctive roasted barley flavor.

What is the widget in Guinness cans?

The widget is a small plastic ball inside Guinness Draught cans that releases nitrogen when the can is opened, creating the signature creamy, cascading head that mimics a freshly poured draught Guinness.

How long was Arthur Guinness's lease?

Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin in 1759, at an annual rent of £45. The lease would not expire until the year 10759.

How is Guinness performing financially?

Guinness delivered double-digit growth in FY2025 and was up 10.9% in H1 FY2026, growing in all regions apart from Asia Pacific. In the US, the Guinness brand grew 5% to 12.4 million cases in 2025, while Guinness 0.0 jumped 51% to 700,000 cases. Guinness is a standout performer within Diageo's portfolio, which has faced broader challenges in US Spirits and Chinese white spirits.

Food & Beverage

Who Owns Guinness?

Guinness is owned by Diageo plc (NYSE: DEO / LSE: DGE), formed in 1997 from the merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan. Founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate in Dublin, Guinness is brewed in over 150 countries and is the fastest-growing major beer brand in the US on-premise. Guinness delivered double-digit growth in FY2025 and was up 10.9% in H1 FY2026, growing in all regions apart from Asia Pacific. Guinness 0.0 is the #1 non-alcoholic beer in Great Britain. Diageo reported H1 FY2026 net sales of $10.5 billion.

Parent Company

Diageo plc

Acquired

1997

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

Dublin, Ireland

Guinness Timeline

1759

Guinness

Founded by Arthur Guinness

Founded

1997

Acquired by Diageo plc

Diageo plc acquired Guinness

Acquired

mid rangepremiumGlobalOfficial Website

Who Owns Guinness?

Parent Company: Diageo plc
Ownership Type: Wholly owned
Acquisition Year: 1997
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock Ticker: LSE: DGE

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
Guinness	Diageo plc	Wholly owned

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Guinness on Amazon

History of Guinness

Founded: 1759
Founders: Arthur Guinness
Acquired by Diageo plc: 1997

Guinness was founded on December 31, 1759, when Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on a disused brewery at St. James's Gate in Dublin, Ireland, at an annual rent of £45. Arthur Guinness initially brewed ales, but by the 1770s he had begun producing the dark porter-style beer that would define the brand. By 1799, he committed entirely to brewing porter, ceasing ale production.

Arthur Guinness's son, Arthur Guinness II, took over the brewery in 1803 and developed the recipe for Guinness Extra Stout, the distinctive dry stout characterized by its deep black color, creamy white head, and roasted barley flavor. The unique appearance and taste of Guinness set it apart from other beers and created a product that was instantly recognizable worldwide.

Throughout the 19th century, Guinness expanded rapidly. The St. James's Gate Brewery became the largest brewery in Ireland and eventually the largest in the world. Guinness began exporting to England, the British colonies, and eventually to markets across the globe. The company went public on the London Stock Exchange in 1886, with the IPO oversubscribed by more than 20 times.

Guinness's advertising has been among the most celebrated in marketing history. The "Guinness is Good for You" campaign, launched in 1929 by S.H. Benson, became one of the most famous advertising slogans of the 20th century. The brand's advertisements, featuring iconic imagery like the toucan and the "Surfer" television commercial (voted the best advertisement of all time in a 2002 UK poll), have consistently pushed creative boundaries.

The Guinness Book of Records, first published in 1955, was created by Guinness Brewery managing director Sir Hugh Beaver to settle pub arguments. The book became the world's best-selling copyrighted book series. Diageo sold the Guinness World Records brand in 2001.

In 1997, Guinness plc merged with Grand Metropolitan to form Diageo, bringing the Guinness brand into a portfolio that includes Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, and other iconic spirits brands. Under Diageo's ownership, Guinness has continued to innovate, introducing Guinness Draught in cans (featuring the widget that creates the signature creamy head), Guinness 0.0 (non-alcoholic), and various limited-edition brews.

In December 2025, Diageo opened the Guinness Open Gate Brewery London, a new £73 million ($99m), 54,000-square-foot visitor experience and working microbrewery in Covent Garden. The King officially opened the facility. Diageo also opened Littleconnell Brewery in Ireland, reinforcing a near €1 billion commitment to Ireland.

About Diageo plc

What does Diageo own?
Diageo owns a portfolio of approximately 200 alcoholic beverage brands including Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, Guinness stout, Smirnoff vodka, Don Julio tequila, Baileys Irish cream, Captain Morgan rum, Crown Royal Canadian whisky, Tanqueray gin, Bulleit bourbon, and Cîroc vodka. The company also holds a 34 percent stake in Moët Hennessy, the wines and spirits division of LVMH, giving it indirect exposure to the Hennessy cognac and Moët & Chandon champagne brands. Diageo's brands are sold in nearly 180 countries.

Is Diageo publicly traded?
Yes, Diageo plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker DGE and on the New York Stock Exchange as an American Depositary Receipt under ticker DEO. The company has been publicly listed since its formation in 1997 through the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness. Diageo does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors.

Who founded Diageo?
Diageo was formed on 17 December 1997 through the merger of Grand Metropolitan plc and Guinness plc. Grand Metropolitan was a British conglomerate that owned Smirnoff, Baileys, and J&B, among other brands. Guinness plc owned the Guinness stout brand, Johnnie Walker, and a portfolio of other spirits. The merged entity was named Diageo, a name derived from Latin and Greek roots intended to convey global reach.

Where is Diageo headquartered?
Diageo is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company maintains its registered office and principal executive offices in London. Diageo's operational footprint spans the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Scotland, Jamaica, Mexico, India, and Canada, among other countries. The company's Scotch whisky operations are centered in Scotland, where it operates numerous distilleries.

How many brands does Diageo own?
Diageo owns approximately 200 alcoholic beverage brands across spirits, beer, and wine. Of these, 13 brands each generate over one billion US dollars in annual net sales. These billion-dollar brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, Don Julio, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Tanqueray, Bulleit, J&B, Buchanan's, Windsor, and Cîroc. The company also holds a 34 percent stake in Moët Hennessy, which owns additional premium brands.

Who owns Diageo?
Diageo plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and pension funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Diageo. The company is incorporated in England and Wales and is subject to UK corporate governance requirements, including a board with a majority of independent non-executive directors.

What is Diageo's revenue?
Diageo reported net sales of $20.2 billion for FY2025 (ended 30 June 2025), down 0.1 percent reported but up 1.7 percent organically. Operating profit was $4.3 billion and free cash flow was $2.7 billion. The company's fiscal year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Diageo's revenue has faced headwinds from unfavorable foreign exchange movements and challenging macroeconomic conditions in key markets including the United States and Greater China.

Founded: 1997
Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock: LSE: DGE
Revenue: $20.2 billion (FY2025, ended 30 June 2025)
Employees: Approximately 28,000

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View full company profile for Diageo plc

Where Is Guinness Made / Based?

Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland

Guinness Categories & Tags

Beer Stout Alcohol Irish Brand Diageo Irish Heritage

Guinness Sustainability & Ethics

Guinness operates under Diageo's Society 2030: Spirit of Progress ESG action plan. Key initiatives include:

Net Zero Carbon Emissions: Target of net zero carbon emissions in direct operations by 2030, with halving of supply chain emissions.
Zero Waste to Landfill: Achieved across all sites since 2020. Every keg at St. James's Gate is filled up to 10 times per year and reused for up to 30 years.
Packaging Innovation: Multi-packs of cans replaced with 100% sustainably sourced cardboard. A new UK plant is planned to use 95% less energy to provide 100% recycled aluminum for Guinness cans in Europe and the US.
Water Stewardship: Comprehensive water efficiency programs in brewing, watershed protection in source communities, and water access initiatives in water-stressed regions.
Lifecycle Analysis: Guinness conducted a comprehensive 2020 Lifecycle Analysis examining environmental impact from ingredients through packaging, production, transport, and post-consumer waste.
Responsible Drinking: Guinness maintains responsible drinking programs and adheres to strict ethical guidelines regarding alcohol promotion.

Note: Diageo has revised several sustainability targets, including Scope 3 emissions and recycled packaging content goals, reflecting practical challenges of meeting ambitious environmental commitments while maintaining business performance.

Awards & Recognition

Brewing Quality: Guinness consistently receives top honors at international beer competitions, including gold medals at the World Beer Awards, International Brewing Awards, and European Beer Star awards.
Brand Value: Guinness is recognized as one of the world's most valuable beer brands by Brand Finance and other brand valuation organizations.
Tourism: The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin consistently ranks among Europe's best visitor experiences and has received numerous tourism awards.
Marketing: Guinness's "Surfer" advertisement was voted the best advertisement of all time in a 2002 UK poll. The brand's marketing campaigns have received numerous industry awards.
Hot Brand: Guinness 0.0 earned Impact "Hot Brand" status in the US in 2025.
Design: Guinness's distinctive harp logo, black and cream color scheme, and iconic glassware have been recognized as outstanding examples of brand design.

Guinness Recalls & Controversies

Supply Chain Capacity Constraints (2026): In February 2026, Diageo vowed to address Guinness capacity constraints in London following supply shortages that affected the brand's availability in key markets. The company acknowledged production and distribution challenges, particularly in the London market where demand has surged.

Diageo Financial Pressures (2025-2026): Diageo reported weak H1 FY2026 results, with organic sales down 2.8%. The company lowered its FY2026 guidance, with organic sales expected to fall 2-3%. Diageo also slashed its dividend in February 2026. However, Guinness has been a bright spot, with 10.9% growth in H1 FY2026.

Sustainability Target Revisions: Diageo has revised several sustainability targets, including Scope 3 emissions and recycled packaging content goals, reflecting the practical challenges of meeting ambitious environmental commitments.

Guinness Book of Records Sale: Diageo sold the Guinness World Records brand in 2001, separating the popular reference book from the beer brand.

Alcohol Industry Decline: While Guinness itself is growing, the broader alcohol industry is facing significant challenges from moderation trends, health-conscious consumers, and affordability pressures. Guinness's success despite these headwinds has been notable but the brand must continue adapting to changing consumer preferences.

Guinness Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+One of the world's most iconic and recognizable beer brands with 260+ years of heritage
+Strong global distribution through Diageo's network in 150+ countries
+Guinness is defying alcohol industry decline with double-digit growth
+Guinness 0.0 is the #1 non-alcoholic beer in Great Britain
+Guinness Storehouse is Ireland's top tourist attraction (1.7M+ visitors annually)
+Social media virality ("splitting the G") driving younger consumer engagement
+Diageo investing in Guinness infrastructure (£73M London brewery, Littleconnell Brewery)

Considerations

-Broader Diageo portfolio under pressure (US Spirits weakness, Chinese white spirits decline)
-Supply chain capacity constraints in key markets like London (February 2026)
-Health-conscious trends reducing overall alcohol consumption globally
-Competition from craft stout brewers and premium beer brands
-Regulatory challenges regarding alcohol advertising in various markets
-Diageo's net debt of $21.7 billion as of December 2025

Frequently Asked Questions About Guinness

Sources & Further Reading

Competitors to Guinness

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

Brand	Parent Company	Country	Founded	Market Position	Primary Market	Gender Target
BaileysSister Brand	Diageo	United Kingdom	1974	Premium	Global	All-ages
Modelo	Constellation Brands	Mexico	1925	Mass market	Global	All Genders
Captain MorganSister Brand	Diageo	United Kingdom	1944	Mass market	Global	All-ages
Johnnie WalkerSister Brand	Diageo	United Kingdom	1820	Premium	Global	All Genders
SmirnoffSister Brand	Diageo	United Kingdom	1864	Mass market	Global	All Genders