Latest news with #GuinnessZero
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- 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.
Sunday World
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Barmaid serves up old-school charm and fine pints at just €5.60 in Clancy's of Athy
While we can't say for certain that Pub Spy has never been to Clancy's over the past 52 years, we can say that it was a first for this particular batch of Commandos. Clancy's bar in Athy, Co Kildare was busy during our visit Despite being only one hour from our headquarters, we hadn't paid a visit to the south county Kildare town of Athy since 2013. Although he initially begged us to go anywhere in Meath so he could discuss the Leinster final with the locals, the Old Commando was more than happy to visit the Lilywhites and see what kind of mood the GAA fraternity in this county was like. 'They must be kicking themselves too, getting beaten by Louth and a first Leinster title since 2000 sitting there waiting for them,' the Old Commando said as he arrived in Athy town. 'Why don't you ask them when we go into the pub?' the Young Commando suggested. 'I'd say they'd love to chat to you about it,' he joked. The town of Athy has changed since we were last here with new roadways and no through access in the square area, but once we found our bearings and a parking space we walked along Leinster Street, eventually arriving at the front door of Clancy's pub. The red and white exterior was in very good condition with the local GAA and rugby flags flying out front. A sign on the window is advertising a live traditional music session every Thursday night and a slogan on the window states: 'Keep the spirit Irish'. 'I'm surprised some far left nut-job hasn't suggested that is an issue,' the Old Commando said, rolling his eyes. Established in 1903, this pub was exactly what the Old Commando expected it to be, and he was delighted with his surroundings when he stepped inside the front door. The front bar is very tight for space so we took our seats in the corner while the Young Commando placed our order with the dark haired barmaid on duty. She served him immediately but there was no time for chit chat as it just seemed to be getting busier and busier during our stay. He did note she was very mannerly and polite and the creamy pints of stout cost €5.60 each. While we can't say for certain that Pub Spy has never been to Clancy's over the past 52 years, we can say that it was a first for this particular batch of Commandos. The Old Commando sipped his Guinness and told us this was like stepping back in the '80s as he really savoured the atmosphere among the mixed clientele of locals. There is a variety of drinks available on draught such as Guinness Zero, Orchard Thieves, Rockshore lager and cider, Angelo Poretti, Birra Moretti and Coors, and the shelves and fridges were well stocked. There are two TVs in the front bar, both of which were showing live sports, and we noticed Leinster and Athy rugby flags draped from the ceiling along with a Manchester United flag, the former English football giants turned relegation candidates. No children are allowed on the premises here after 9pm and this is a rule our Commandos wholeheartedly agree with. Some of our troops would ban them outright if they ever became publicans. There are many GAA related photos hanging throughout the pub, including the Athy football team that lifted the senior football championship in 1987 in their centenary year, and upon viewing these photographs the Old Commando got an opening to start his taunting. 'You'll probably have to make space for the Kildare team of 2026 when they capture the Leinster title,' the Old Commando said as he ignited a debate and stirred some local diehards. The Young Commando skipped out to inspect the toilets and advised us they were far more modern than the front bar and most likely have been upgraded in recent years. There are three urinals, one cubicle, a powerful, modern hand dryer and a unique sink embedded in a Jameson barrel. We really enjoyed our few pints in Clancys and we'd love to call again. Rating: Three pints out of Five One for the road: The Nags Head – Athy Twelve years ago, we paid a visit to The Nags Head pub in Athy and were glad to report it's still in fine shape all these years later. An elderly barman served us as soon as we arrived and he shared a great rapport with all the locals, a predominately young to middle aged clientele, all of whom were on a first name basis with each other. There was a very good atmosphere with lots of joking and some interesting characters, and the pints of stout cost us €5.60 each. We're not big fans of pool tables so close to the counter area though, as we tend to feel uneasy as the players move around the table lining up their shots. The red velvet barstools and bench seating were in good condition and the Young Commando was full of praise for the toilet area, which he said was spotlessly clean. We enjoyed our handful of pints in this pub — although there was no trace of Del Boy or Trigger! Rating: Three pints out of Five
Sunday World
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Bunratty's fab JP Clarke's is Pub Spy's favourite bar so far in 2025 with pints at €6.20
This classic Clare boozer has all that is good about Irish pubs JP Clarke's in Bunratty, Co Clare was packed with drinkers and diners and is our favourite bar so far in 2025 Almost 12 years ago, Pub Spy and the team paid a flying visit to Bunratty on our way home from Sixmilebridge. To this day, the Old Commando still reminisces about the lovely pub in the heart of Bunratty where he reserved as much praise for the lovely steak dinner he had as he did the creamy pints of stout. When our designated driver announced at HQ this past week that were making the two-and-a-half hour trip to Co Clare, he perked up from behind his desk and suggested JP Clarke's as our venue of choice. 'I'm easy anyway, as long as there's good porter,' the Young Commando replied, who was still nursing a hangover from Rory McIlroy's golfing success at Augusta last weekend. We think he was just glad to get some sleep in the pub-mobile on the long journey down the M7. We arrived at the busy boozer in the heart of Bunratty and our designated driver, who enjoys the simple things in life, was thrilled that there was a large car park provided at the front of the pub. The outdoor seating area was extremely busy with couples and families enjoying meals and the sunshine, but any such notion of our travelling crew sitting outside was immediately dismissed by the Old Commando. 'The high stool is the only job, as close to the taps and barman as possible,' he insisted. We were served by a barman named Barry who was ably assisted by a young barman and two waitresses. They were all friendly and welcoming, as you'd expect in a tourist haven like Bunratty. But one thing that did surprise us during our stay was just how often the pub landline phone rang. 'I think Barry has answered more calls than he has pulled pints,' the Young Commando joked. Its seemed unusual in this day and age, but it's a good sign when the phone is ringing as they were mostly for table bookings as far we could make out. The pints of Guinness were €6.20, an increase of €1.60 from our trip in 2013 and a further sign of how the Irish Government seems to have little or no interest in the tourism sector anymore despite the country's reliance on it. 'You'd wonder how long more before the Yanks and the likes start to really say enough is enough, Ireland's a rip off,' the Old Commando wondered. Our designated driver opted for Guinness Zero which is 50c cheaper at €5.70. They also have Heineken Zero, Orchard Thieves and Birra Moretti among other drinks on draught. We're glad to report that JP Clarke's pub is still as exceptional as it was 12 years ago and our Commandos couldn't find a fault anywhere. The flagstone floor tiles were very nice and the orange leather barstools were in excellent condition. There is one large screen TV in the main bar where we sat with a second TV in the next section. The floor-to-ceiling timber walling, which must be 20ft in some parts, is yet another beautiful feature in the pub, as well as the stone walls in the hallway leading to the toilets. While we hadn't the appetite (or price!) of a nice steak this time around, the Young Commando couldn't help himself and sampled a basket of chicken wings. He claimed they hit the spot as he licked his fingers clean. There was a good atmosphere in the front bar where it was more of a younger clientele while the second section was far busier by headcount but much quieter as it was mostly elderly tourists dining. The interior of this pub is immaculate and the toilets were exceptional too, with four urinals, two cubicles, two modern sinks and a hand dryer. We can't praise this pub highly enough and would say it's easily the most impressive pub we've visited in 2025 so far. Keep up the good work and Pub Spy will be back. Rating: Five pints out of Five One for the road: Durty Nellys – Bunratty THE Young Commando was delighted to see the outdoor seating area full of cackling hens when we arrived to Durty Nelly's pub in Bunratty. Unfortunately there was no seating left outside, so we made our way inside where the bar was just as busy, although it had more of a mixed clientele. They serve food and there is a restaurant area at the rear of the pub. However, our Young Commando was accosted by the bar staff as he walked towards this section in search of the toilets – they mustn't have liked the look of him. Guinness Zero, Birra Moretti and Harp are available on draught and they sell their own merchandise here, including signature t-shirts. The atmosphere was fantastic with a mixture of US and Irish tourists. The toilets checked out fine and the pint of Guinness is advertised at €5.80. Rating: Four pints out of Five
Boston Globe
25-03-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
May I have a word: Booze without the buzz
Kevin, you're right about the technical meaning of near beer , though I was skeptical at first because when I was a college student in Ohio, that's what we called 3.2 beer, which those of us who were underage could legally drink. The 3.2 refers to the beer's percentage of alcohol by weight (ABW). The now standard measure is alcohol by volume (ABV), and an ABW of 3.2 percent translates to an ABV of about 4 percent. Ironically, nearly all breweries have phased out 3.2 beer, which was regarded as a relic of the early post-Prohibition days, but now many make 'light beer,' with an ABV of 4.2 percent. Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up When I was looking into near beer , I can't resist telling you, I happened upon the following citation in the Oxford English Dictionary: 'Snails prefer non-alcoholic products to real beer. Even the near-beer must be fresh; snails don't like the stale stuff.' Who knew? Advertisement Don Hunton, of Acton, tried a brute-force method of word coining, making a list of synonyms for fake and another list of beer words and putting them together, resulting in 'more than 100 possible combos.' But he had second thoughts: 'NA beer is beer. It's made from the same ingredients and brewed in a similar way. It just doesn't have alcohol in it. So why don't we call it what it is: dry beer ? Everybody knows what dry January is all about, so dry beer is understandable. And it's easier to say than NA beer . Now, as for nonalcoholic wine, that's just a darned shame.' Advertisement Michael J. Bohnen, of Newton, also proposed dry beer — and sobeer , which Sue Zile, of North Kingstown, R.I., came up with too. And Michael suggested grape juice for nonalcoholic wine, as did Leslie Harris, of Hull. A sizable number of respondents evidently sneer at nonalcoholic beer. Kelly Ash, of Melrose, proposed wannabe-er : 'You want a real beer but settle for a wannabe.' Nan Graves, of York, Maine, wrote: 'How about beerfree or beerless or maybe just unbeerable ?' Rick Woods, of Yarmouth Port, came up with lacklager ; Liz Thompson, of Putnam Conn., makebeerlieve ; and Sydney Fadner, of Watertown, beereft. I admire Paula Sable, of Haverhill, for her nonjudgmental coinages unbeer and altbier. And James L. Sherley, of Boston, not only coined a couple of nonjudgmental words but also had a brand of beer to recommend. He wrote: 'After reading about Guinness's new nonalcoholic stout, I went in search of Guinness Zero to try with my next restaurant dinner. It took three restaurant requests before a restaurant was not out of it. It lived up to all the advertised flavor and quality without the alcohol! My thought at the time was beero . But zeer is another suggested Cyndy Overgaag, of West Springfield, was outright in favor of alcohol-free beverages, even unto designing a logo for them. She wrote: 'I thought of GF for 'gluten-free' and GMO-free . What we need is an eye-catching logo, like the 'GMO-free' butterfly and the simple 'GF' on labels, that designates an alcohol-free product at a glance. One reader proposed a log for nonalcoholic beverages. Adobe/Gwen Egan Globe Contributor Illustration 'I propose a logo that has a simple design of a bottle on its side that has the word ALK free inside. Rather like a ship in a bottle. The bottle outlines are green, and the lettering is blue or purple — with perhaps two shades of blue or purple, one for the capital letters and one for the italic letters. Advertisement 'This symbol could be universally recognized for beer, wine, and other ALK free offerings.' Cyndy, I'm impressed! I hereby award you bragging rights for your word and associated logo. Well done! Now Louise Bellucci, of Brimfield, wants to know: 'What do you call something that was not engineered well? For example, hot dogs come in packs of eight but the buns come in packages of six or 12. They make fitted sheets just a skootch shy of being able to stay on the mattress. My electrician father-in-law called these things 5 watt-ers because they aren't too bright. What suggestions do your readers have?' Send your ideas for Louise's word to me at by noon on Friday, April 4, and kindly tell me where you live. Responses may be edited. And please keep in mind that meanings in search of words are always welcome.
