The Legacy of Arthur Guinness

Born September 28th, 1725, near Celbridge, Ireland, the man behind Ireland’s famous black stuff came into the world. Arthur Guinness was the son of Joseph Guinness, who at the time served as a land steward for Archbishop Price’s estate. His father was also said to be the one in charge of brewing for the workers and inhabitants of the estate. This is likely how Arthur developed his lifelong passion for brewing. 

Arthur Guinness brewed and honed his skills all the way up until the Archbishop of the estate passed away. Arthur and the Archbishop were said to be close, and before the Archbishop passed away, he set aside 100 Irish pounds (“punt”) for Arthur to set out on his own entrepreneurial journey. A 100 “punt” was equivalent to 4 years of an honest wage at the time. This generous gift enabled Arthur to open his first small brewery in Leixlip with his brother in 1755. This would be their first successful venture as businessmen. 

Four years later, by the age of 34, Arthur signed the legendary 9,000-year lease on St. James Gate Brewery. For an annual 45 punt fee, Arthur secured himself a 4-acre site where he would perfect his brewing recipes and create the iconic stouts that bear his name today!

This brewery is where his legacy would truly develop into a global icon. Guinness began to expand across the globe with its first known export leaving Dublin for England in 1796. This new beer would be called the West India Porter, which was designed to withstand the harsh long voyages of the seas and still maintain its freshness. This beer is actually still around today—it’s just been renamed as the Guinness Foreign Extra Stout! 

Arthur Guinness died in 1803, but his legacy carried on long after. Guinness managed to become the world’s largest brewery by 1880, producing over 1.2 million barrels annually! Today, over 10 million pints are enjoyed daily across 150 countries. 

Fun Facts & FAQs

Fun fact:

The iconic Guinness harp logo, inspired by Ireland’s ancient “Brian Boru harp,” is one of the world’s oldest trademarks, registered in 1876.

Why is Guinness called “black stuff”?

Its deep ruby-black color comes from roasted unmalted barley. Hold your pint to the light—you’ll see it’s not actually black!

What’s the deal with the 9,000-year lease?

Arthur’s bold gamble in 1759 locked in rent at £45/year. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about £6,300 today—still a steal for prime Dublin real estate! This lease has been bought out fully by the company today!

Is Guinness better in Ireland?

Many swear it tastes creamier there! This isn’t just nostalgia—Irish pints use a mix of nitrogen and CO₂ for that signature velvety head. 

Wait, wasn’t the Guinness family into more than beer?

Absolutely! Arthur’s descendants pioneered employee benefits like pensions and healthcare. In 1955, Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of the Guinness brewery created the Guinness Book of World Records to settle pub arguments.

Can I visit the brewery?

Yes! The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is Ireland’s #1 tourist attraction. Pro tip: Master the “perfect pour” at their Gravity Bar for a free pint. 

If you're based out of the U.S. make sure to check out the brewery's in Chicago, Illinois and Baltimore, Maryland

How can i make Guinness beer taste better?

There's an old Irish legend that says "If you can wear it on your shirt, your Guinness will pour with extra mirth that would make Arthur himself proud."

OK, that part is totally made up, but if your looking for officially licensed Guinness merch check out our Guinness collection here.