An Taoiseach Enda Kenny was joined by Diageo PLC CEO Ivan Menezes to officially open ‘Brewhouse No.4’, the €169 million state of the art brewery at St. James’s Gate, Dublin.

The new brewhouse is one of the most technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable in the world, and is also the largest stout brewery in the world.

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St. James’s Gate is one of the oldest industrial sites in Ireland and Brewhouse No. 4, with a centre for brewing excellence combines tradition and modernity at the 255 year site. Currently Diageo exports more than €1 billion in product from the site to over 130 countries while the Guinness Flavour Essence which is produced in St. James’s Gate enables further brewing of Guinness in 50 countries around the world.

The Taoiseach said: “I’m delighted to open the new Diageo brewery at St. James’s Gate. Ireland has a worldwide reputation for quality food and drink production and this new €169 million investment in the heart of Dublin will help contribute to our export led recovery. St. James Gate has a long history of supporting local jobs while sending iconic Irish brands around the world. The Government’s plan for recovery will see continued support for our indigenous export orientated food and drink sector which provides jobs across the island of Ireland.”

Ivan Menezes, CEO of Diageo, speaking at the opening added: “This is a great day for Diageo and a great day for Guinness, one of the most iconic brands, not just in Ireland, but around the world. Our decision back in late 2011 to invest in St James’s Gate represented a €169 million vote of confidence by Diageo in Guinness and in our beer business. It also represented a major vote of confidence in the Irish economy itself. Diageo’s operations in Ireland support the employment of 20,000 people in the Irish economy, not least through our purchase of goods and services to the value of €350 million a year.”
Brewhouse No.4 brings together all brewing operations to St James Gate. Menezes said: “By consolidating all of our operations to one site Diageo is ensuring the long term sustainability and global competitiveness of our brewing operations. Brewhouse No.4 will support the growth in our exports’ market and Diageo’s ambitions for further growth.”

Brewhouse No.4 is 10,000 m2 and was the largest construction project in Ireland in 2012, equating to 2,000,000 man hours. It uses state of the art technology and processes to minimise energy consumption and greatly reduce environmental impact, ensuring that Diageo remains an industry leader in the area of sustainability.
Paul Armstrong, Diageo Supply Director Brewing, International Supply Centre, said: “Diageo is very proud of its long history in St James’s Gate. 255 years ago when Arthur Guinness signed the nine thousand year lease at St James Gate he did so to secure the future of Guinness. Today with this progressive brewery we are securing the future of brewing in Ireland. I am very proud that we remain true to our history, our heritage and our craft and that St James’s Gate will continue to be the home of brewing innovation for Diageo long into the future.”

New Brewery Facts
· Brewhouse No.4 is the largest stout brewery in the world
· €169 million investment in Ireland
· 4th brewery on site since Arthur Guinness
· More than 255 years of brewing experience
· 35% of global beer for Diageo is now produced at St. James’s Gate
· Diageo is the largest buyer of Irish malting barley
· 3 million pints produced at St. James’s Gate per day
· 1 billion pints produced per year
· Exported to 130 markets worldwide
· Markets include GB, China, Continental Europe, USA, Japan, Australia
· Diageo supports 20,000 jobs in Ireland
· Designed to the highest environmental standards
· Olympic sized swimming pool of water saved every 30 hours
· Carbon reductions equivalent to 4,000 cars a year
· Zero waste to landfill brewery
· Construction of the new brewery was the largest construction project in Ireland in 2012
· St. James’s Gate is now 55 Acres in total
· Brewhouse No.4 is 10,000 m2