Latest news with #Guinness0.0
Irish Examiner
08-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Alcohol consumption falls again, dropping 4.5% last year
Alcohol consumption in Ireland fell sharply last year, dropping 4.5% according to a report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), which is demanding cuts to excise rates. The representative body said the data shows consumption of alcohol by Irish consumers was now on par with their European counterparts, but that excise rates remain the second-highest in Europe. The report by economist Anthony Foley shows the average adult consumed 9.5 litres of pure alcohol last year, a drop from 9.9 litres in 2023. All four beverage categories, beer, spirits, wine, and cider, experienced volume decreases in 2024. Ranked against a sample of 16 European countries, Ireland's average consumption was lower than nine countries and was higher than seven countries. 'Ireland is no longer an outlier in terms of high average levels of alcohol consumption as measured by the methodology used for that indicator,' the report notes. The report highlights the changing pattern of alcohol consumption. Secretary of DIGI and CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association, Donall O'Keefe said the report shows Irish people are increasingly drinking in a restrained manner, with consumption continuing the downward trajectory that has been recorded since the millennium. 'This downward trend also raises the obvious question as to why Ireland continues to have the second-highest excise rates on alcohol in Europe,' he said. 'Given that we now consume alcohol at average European levels it makes sense that we should pay excise at average European levels also. This is particularly true following the introduction of minimum unit pricing which prevents the sale of strong alcohol at low prices in supermarkets and shops. 'In contrast to the negative stereotypes that once existed, alcohol consumption in Ireland is now at average European levels, with the purchase of non-alcoholic drinks continuing to increase. 'Across Ireland, hundreds of small rural pubs and restaurants are struggling for survival due to repeated increases in the cost of doing business, including staff, energy and insurance. A cut in excise would offer these businesses an opportunity to continue acting as vital hubs in their communities, as well as a crucial part of our tourism product. 'DIGI will be seeking a 10% cut in excise in this year's budget as an urgent measure to give these businesses a fighting chance of survival,' Mr O'Keefe said. Last week, drinks giant Diageo said bar sales of non-alcoholic Guinness 0.0 grew 27% in the last year, with the non-alcoholic version set to take up 12% of total stout production at the Dublin brewery next year. The product has enjoyed a huge 161% increase in yearly volume on-trade sales between June 2022 and March 2025. Other breweries report similar increases in non-alcoholic versions of their beers. The change in drinking patterns is also borne out elsewhere. In March, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) said the volume of sales in bars had dropped 10% over the previous year. Vintners' Federation of Ireland chief executive Pat Crotty said the CSO figures support anecdotal evidence from publicans around the country that drink sales have fallen in the region of 9% over the past year. 'This comes on the back of rising costs, with the likes of rates, water charges, and labour costs all surging way ahead of inflation,' he said. 'Publicans are now facing a perfect storm of rising costs and falling turnover, which is not sustainable if the pub trade is to survive over the long term. 'It should be noted that most cost increases come from the Government, so we need to see meaningful supports that will make a difference to the average publican struggling to attract customers through the door.'
Irish Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Sales of non-alcoholic Guinness surged 35% last year
Sales of non-alcoholic Guinness 0.0 across can, draught and micro-draught cans in pubs, hotels and restaurants across Ireland increased by 35 per cent in the year to March, new data from Diageo Ireland shows. The increase comes on top of 47 per cent growth of draught Guinness 0.0 in Ireland the previous year. Having been introduced to Irish venues on draught in July 2021, the product is now available in 4,000 on-trade establishments across Ireland. The drinks giant also said it has seen a 161 per cent lift in sales of the brand on draught between June 2022 and March 2025. Diageo said this growth is 'set to continue' into 2026 when the additional €30 million investment announced late last year into Guinness 0.0 production capacity comes on stream. READ MORE This will allow the St James's Gate brewery to brew 176 million pints of Guinness 0.0 a year for international and domestic markets, Diageo said. Ross Bissett, on-trade commercial director at Diageo Ireland, said the growth of the product demonstrates the 'enormous appetite' consumers have for 'greater choice in what they are consuming'. 'Following our recent investment announcement of €30 million in Guinness 0.0 production, we expect it to take up about 12 per cent of all production at St James's Gate,' he added. Cathal Sheridan, who is the seventh generation of his family to run Sheridan's Bar and Restaurant in Milltown, Co Galway, said he has seen 'huge demand' for Guinness 0.0, with customers 'making the most of being able to have a few pints and be able to drive home'. 'That's something that's really important in Ireland as rural isolation becomes a bigger problem,' he said. 'It's also key for the future of rural pubs as we try to encourage folks through the door.' The demand for non-alcoholic products has been seen across the board, with Kantar's recent data showing that 6.2 per cent of all Irish households purchasing non-alcoholic drinks in January. That data was backed up by a recent Drinks Industry Group of Ireland report that found the average amount of alcohol consumed by adults in Ireland had fallen by 31 per cent since 2001.
Irish Independent
06-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Guinness 0.0 hits milestone as more outlets opt for alcohol-free option
Guinness is reporting today that on-trade yearly volume sales of Guinness 0.0 draught grew 161pc between June 2022 and March 2025 – reflecting sales of cans, draught and micro-draught cans in pubs, hotels and restaurants. Sales of Guinness 0.0 on draught have grown by 27pc in the last year, on top of 47pc growth of draught Guinness 0.0 in Ireland the previous year. On-trade sales were up 35pc from March 2024 to March 2025. The capacity for further growth will increase significantly from next year, when a €30m investment in brewing capacity will lift production to 176 million pints of 0.0 per year for international and domestic markets – 12pc of the entire output at the famous St James's Gate brewery in Dublin. In contrast, a report by Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), a trade group, found the average amount of alcohol consumed by adults in Ireland had fallen by 31pc since 2001. A similar trend has been seen in other developed markets. Last month Guinness's alcohol-free beer was centre stage at an investor day held by Diageo, where group CEO Deborah Crew pointed to its global potential based on the pace of its Irish rollout over the past four years. Diageo is planning to accelerate sales of traditional Guinness and the non-alcoholic version around the world, targeting Gen Z and female drinkers among its key growth levers. It's also planning to leverage sponsorship of sporting events such as the Premier League and a continued focus on the Six Nations rugby championship, where the non-alcoholic option has advantages over products that face restrictions in many advertising markets. Even in the traditional Guinness heartland of rural Irish pubs, the beer is finding an audience, according to Cathal Sheridan, a seventh generation publican who operates Sheridan's Bar and Restaurant in Milltown, Co Galway. He cited demand from rural drinkers who need the option to drive home. The on-trade commercial director at Diageo Ireland, Ross Bissett, said demand for non-alcoholic products has been seen across the board. 'The growth of Guinness 0.0 over the last three years demonstrates the enormous appetite consumers have for greater choice in what they are consuming, and highlights the vital role Guinness 0.0 is playing in driving moderation in Ireland,' he said.
Irish Examiner
05-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Guinness 0.0 sales up 27%, with plans for €30m investment at St James's Gate
Sales of Guinness 0.0 in bars have grown 27% in the last year, with the non-alcoholic version to take up 12% of total stout production at the Dublin brewery next year. Guinness 0.0 - known to many people as Guinness Zero - is now available in 4,000 pubs, restaurants and hotels across the island of Ireland. New figures released by Diageo show that the non-alcoholic stout has enjoyed a huge 161% increase in yearly volume on-trade sales between June 2022 and March 2025. 'The growth of Guinness 0.0 over the last three years demonstrates the enormous appetite consumers have for greater choice in what they are consuming," said Ross Bissett, Diageo Ireland on-trade commercial director. This growth is set to continue into 2026 when an additional €30m investment into Guinness 0.0 production capacity comes on stream, allowing the St James's Gate brewery to brew 176m pints of Guinness 0.0 a year for international and domestic markets. "We expect Guinness 0.0 to take up about 12% of all production at St James's Gate which is a testament to the sheer demand we're seeing and the incredible high-quality product our teams continue to produce here in Dublin 8," said Mr Bissett. Overall, Guinness 0.0 serves on the island of Ireland across can, draught and micro-draught cans in pubs, hotels and restaurants grew by 35% in the year to March 2025. First launched five years ago, Guinness 0.0 is now the biggest selling non-alcohol brand in the UK. Last month, Guinness owner Diageo's finance chief Nik Jhangiani said it would not be selling the iconic Irish brand as part of an asset sale plan, finance chief Nik Jhangiani said on Tuesday. Guinness saw net sales grow by 13% over the half-year to December. The stout's extraordinary growth, fuelled by TikTok trends to 'split the G', makes the Irish brand the star for Diageo during a difficult trading period globally. Guinness saw net sales grow by 13% over the half-year to December. The world's top spirits maker forecast a $150m hit from US president Donald Trump's tariffs, and has launched a $500 (€437m) cost-savings programme. Indeed the entire global alcohol sector has been facing some sober realities recently. This week, Remy Martin joined joins peers Diageo and Pernod Ricard in withdrawing sales targets that had become widely seen as overly ambitious as the sector endures a slowdown from previous boom years for pricey liquors.
Scotsman
04-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Popular Edinburgh pub opening new beer garden with machine to pour your own pints
A new beer garden in Edinburgh where customers pull their own pints opens this week – and the first 50 punters to arrive will get a free drink. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Irish pub Malones, on Constitution Street in Leith, welcomes drinkers to the Capital's first 'Guinness Beer Garden' on Friday, June 6. As well as outdoor seating, the new space will feature a Guinness MicroDraught system that lets customers pour their own pint of the famous 'black stuff'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Teasing the new addition to its busy Leith watering hole, Malones said: 'Looking for the best beer garden in Leith? We have just unveiled our brand-new outdoor space, offering the perfect spot to soak up the sun, sip on a cold pint, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Welcome to Edinburgh's first Guinness Beer Garden! 'To celebrate the launch, we're buying a pint of Guinness or Guinness 0.0 for the first 50 customers who arrive on Friday, 6th June from 3pm onwards – so get down early and claim your free pint! T&Cs: available exclusively at Malones Leith, only one pint per customer, only the first 50 customers to order. 'As part of the launch, we've installed a Guinness MicroDraught system so that you can pour your own pint and then chill in the garden watching the world go by you. 'We currently only accept walk-ins in our beer garden. Fire down and we'll see you soon!'
