Sustainability at the heart of Diageo's Brewhouse No 4 at St James's Gate

‘Brewhouse No 4’ opened by Diageo at St James’s Gate is the largest stout brewery in the world and one of the most technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable in the world.

Involving a €169m investment, Brewhouse No 4 combines tradition and modernity at the 255 year site with its centre for brewing excellence.

Covering 10,000 sq m, it 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.

Currently Diageo exports more than €1bn 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.

Officially opening the new brewhouse, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the new €169m investment in the heart of Dublin will help contribute to our export-led recovery.

Ivan Menezes, CEO of Diageo, said the company’s decision back in late 2011 to invest in St James’s Gate represented “a €169m 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 €350m a year.

“Brewhouse No 4 brings together all brewing operations to St James’s Gate. 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.”

Paul Armstrong, Diageo supply director brewing, International Supply Centre added: “When Arthur Guinness signed the 9,000 year lease at St James’s Gate he did so to secure the future of Guinness. Today with this progressive brewery we are securing the future of brewing in Ireland.”

New Brewery Facts

  •  Brewhouse No.4 is the largest stout brewery in the world
  •  €169 million investment in Ireland
  •  4th brewery on site since Arthur Guinness
  •  More than 255 years of brewing experience
  •  35% of global beer for Diageo is now produced at St. James’s Gate
  •  Diageo is the largest buyer of Irish malting barley
  •  3 million pints produced at St. James’s Gate per day
  •  1 billion pints produced per year
  •  Exported to 130 markets worldwide
  •  Markets include GB, China, Continental Europe, USA, Japan, Australia
  •  Diageo supports 20,000 jobs in Ireland
  •  Designed to the highest environmental standards
  •  Olympic sized swimming pool of water saved every 30 hours
  •  Carbon reductions equivalent to 4,000 cars a year
  •  Zero waste to landfill brewery
  •  Construction of the new brewery was the largest construction project in Ireland in 2012
  •  St. James’s Gate is now 55 Acres in total
  •  Brewhouse No.4 is 10,000 m2