In 2009 the Guinness Company celebrates 250 years since the signing of the lease on the world famous St. James’s Gate brewery by Arthur Guinness.  To celebrate this momentous anniversary, GUINNESS STOREHOUSE – the Home of Guinness, Dublin, will unveil a number of new additions to the international visitor attraction including a dedicated 250 Exhibition and a new specialised “History of Stout Tour”.

Visitors to GUINNESS STOREHOUSE can discover and explore the new 250 Exhibition from January 2009 – a whole floor dedicated to celebrating this special year and “Raising a Glass” to Arthur – the man who started it all.  Visitors can see and take home a copy of the original lease, view a specially commissioned short-film showing the illustrious story of the Guinness brand and socialise in a new theatrical bar where patrons can join the worldwide celebrations and have their photograph taken raising a toast to Arthur Guinness.

The “History of Stout” tour promises to be an absorbing experience that truly highlights the depth of flavour that has made Guinness so beloved around the world.  Participants will be taken on a unique, VIP, history focused tour of GUINNESS STOREHOUSE, partake in a private tasting session to sample the characteristic flavours of Guinness variants and learn how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness.  The “History of Stout” tour is exclusive to GUINNESS STOREHOUSE and is available to groups of 10 people or more.  Bookings can be made by calling +353 1 408 4800 or emailing storehouseeventadmin@diageo.com

Throughout 2009 there will be a year-long, global celebrations programme to say ‘thank you’ to Arthur Guinness and to Dublin for 250 years of brewing at St. James’s Gate and to look forward to the next 250 years.  “2009 is the year we celebrate Guinness’s remarkable achievements and where better to celebrate than here, at GUINNESS STOREHOUSE, in the heart of St. James’s Gate, where it all began”, commented Paul Carty, Managing Director, GUINNESS STOREHOUSE.

At GUINNESS STOREHOUSE visitors can discover what goes into the making of each and every pint.  They can experience every aspect of the fabled Guinness craft and learn how to pull the perfect pint of Guinness like a true Dublin connoisseur.  At the end of their visit, visitors can relax in the rooftop Gravity Bar with panoramic 360-degree views of Dublin City.  To skip the queue on arrival and to avail of a 10% discount off adult admission, tickets can be booked online at www.guinness-storehouse.com

Ends

Note to Editors:  About Guinness Storehouse:
The GUINNESS STOREHOUSE building dates back to 1904 and is built in the style of the Chicago School of Architecture. The building was once the fermentation plant of the brewery, which ceased operation in 1988.  In 1997, the GUINNESS STOREHOUSE project commenced to preserve and redevelop the building as a visitor attraction at a cost of IR£ 30 million.  GUINNESS STOREHOUSE opened its doors for the first time in 2000 and since then has won a number of national and international tourism awards. GUINNESS STOREHOUSE welcomes over one million visitors each year from around the world and is Ireland’s number one visitor attraction.

For further information, please contact:

Mark McGovern, Media Relations
E: mark.mcgovern@diageo.com
M: +353 86 34 88 322

Lisa Fitzsimons, Brand Manager
E: lisa.Fitzsimons@diageo.com
M: +353 89 38 37 344