The Guinness brand is so world renowned that’s it unlikely to hear facts that you’ve never heard before. Well, let’s just see about that! Here are 11 facts we at Guinness believe most people have never heard of before.
1. The Guinness Harp: The harp, registered as a Guinness company trademark in 1876, is also the national symbol of Ireland. However, the two can be much more easily differentiated by the soundboard. The soundboard (straight edge) of the Guinness harp is always on the left while the soundboard of the Republic of Ireland harp is always on the left.
2. Worldwide Production: While Guinness originated in Ireland, it's now brewed in almost 50 countries around the world.
3. By-products for Agriculture: The spent grain from the brewing process at St. James's Gate Brewery are sold to farmers as animal feed.
4. Overseas Breweries: The first overseas Guinness brewery (outside of Ireland and the UK) was officially opened in Nigeria in 1963. Nigeria is now the second-largest market for Guinness.
5. Draught Technology: The widget was introduced in 1988. The first iteration was fixed in place at the bottom of the can. It was this widget that won the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement in 1991. The second generation widget, the 'floating widget', was introduced in 1997.
6. Railways: The St. James’s Gate Brewery had its own internal railway system, with 8 miles of track crisscrossing the premises. The system was operational until 197
7. Tourist Attraction: The Guinness Storehouse, a visitor centre at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, has become one of Ireland's top tourist attractions and one of the top things to do in dublin. It offers seven floors surrounding a glass atrium shaped in the form of a pint of Guinness. The highlight for many is the Gravity Bar on the seventh floor, which offers panoramic views of the city and a complimentary pint.
8. Water Source: The water used for Dublin-brewed Guinness comes from the Wicklow Mountains, County Wicklow is known colloquially as the 'Garden of Ireland'.
9. Guinness and Champagne: The "Black Velvet" cocktail is a mix of equal parts of Guinness Extra Stout and champagne. It originated in the Brook's Club, London to mourn the death of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.
10. Guinness Toucan: In fact, a series of zoo animals were introduced as part of a campaign to advertise Guinness beginning in 1935. The first animal to make an appearance was the sealion followed by the toucan. The strapline used for the campaign featuring the zoo animals was 'My Goodness, My Guinness'.
11. Brewer’s Yeast: The St. James's Gate Brewery has been using its own strain of yeast for over 100 years which gives Guinness its distinct taste. The Brewery keeps reserves of this precious ingredient so if anything happens to the main supply, the Brewery can be up and running within a matter of hour
In the annals of beverage history, few have attained the iconic status, cultural influence, and global resonance of Guinness. From its origins in Dublin's St. James's Gate Brewery to its place in literature, world records, and even royal visits, Guinness is more than just a stout. Guinness weaves a tapestry of stories that transcend time. As it continues to be savoured worldwide, every pint poured adds to its rich and frothy history.
Cheers to many more tales and pints ahead!