Diageo opens Brewhouse No 4 at St James’s Gate
The largest stout brewery in the world is only the fourth brewhouse to be installed at St James’s Gate in the past 225 years since Arthur Guinness installed the first – and is now the most technologically advanced and environmentally-sustainable on the planet.
Currently Diageo exports more than €1 billion in product from the site to over 130 countries while the Guinness Flavour Essence produced in St James’s Gate enables further brewing of Guinness in 50 countries around the world.
75% of over 1 billion pints a year are exported. Indeed St James’s Gate is responsible for 35% of the beer produced by Diageo worldwide.
“St James Gate has a long history of supporting local jobs while sending iconic Irish brands around the world,” stated The Taoiseach, speaking at the opening ceremony, “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.”
Diageo Chief Executive Ivan Menezes added, “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.
“By consolidating all of our operations to one site Diageo is ensuring the long-term sustainability and global competitiveness of our brewing operations,” stated Ivan Menezes, “Brewhouse No 4 will support the growth in our export market and Diageo’s ambitions for further growth.”
The new 10,000 square metre brewery’s two-year construction involved 1,000 people on what was the largest building site in the country in 2012, equating to two million 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.
At 14 metres in diameter, the new Lautertun in the No 4 Brewhouse is the largest in the world.
Paul Armstrong, Diageo Supply Director Brewing, International Supply Centre, acted as MC for the event.
