Guinness time

Diageo marked the beginning of construction of a new €153 million brew house at its St James’s Gate brewery in Dublin yesterday with the lowering of a “time capsule” at the site.

The capsule was in the form of a Guinness keg and the ceremony was attended by Diageo’s global chief executive Paul Walsh and the Minister for Food, Agriculture and the Marine Simon Coveney.

“We are proud of our long history at St James’s Gate and this time capsule encompasses its past, present and the ambitions of Diageo and its staff for another 250 years at the brewery,” Mr Walsh said.

He said the investment demonstrated Diageo’s “commitment” to Ireland, which is home to two of its top brands, Guinness and Baileys. St James’s Gate is the second-largest brewery in Europe and produces 35 per cent of global beer for Diageo.

David Gosnell, president of global supply with Diageo, said exports of Guinness from Ireland are valued at more than €1 billion. Ireland is Diageo’s third-largest market generating about 7 per cent of its global trading profit. The company has 1,500 employees across Ireland.