Diageo CEO Ivan Menezes, Fourth Generation Brewer Paul O'Farrell, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Paul Armstrong of Diageo in the new Guinness brewery at St James' Gate.  Photos courtesy of MerrionStreet.ie

Guinness producer Diageo, Enterprise Ireland supported client company, opened ‘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.

"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,” said An Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially opening the new brewery on the 10th of September. “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," he said.

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.”

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.

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.

Taoiseach opens new Guinness brewery at St James Gate. Photos courtesy of MerrionStreet.ie