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Daily Record
26-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Guinness drinkers floored after discovering true meaning of brand's logo
Each year, approximately 1.8 billion pints of Guinness are consumed globally. To give you an idea, stout enthusiasts are downing over 10 million glasses of the black brew daily. Despite many of us savouring the flavour of the dark elixir – made up of four primary ingredients - water, barley, hops and yeast – there's still intriguing trivia about the company that people are discovering. This includes facts about the iconic harp logo recognised in nations across the globe. So, did you know this entertaining piece of alcohol trivia? It's a fun fact to ponder on your next pub visit with friends. So here's all you need to know about the Guinness logo that's been around for 163 years and counting. The history behind it extends far beyond just being part of the beverage's emblem. The logo is inspired by a renowned Irish harp from the 14th century known as the O'Neill or Brian Boru harp. This can now be viewed at the Library of Trinity College Dublin – attracting hundreds of visitors each day. This is because the ancient artefact is one of the oldest surviving Gaelic harps worldwide. However, there's a significant difference between the harps seen in the library and on Guinness products. They are mirror images facing opposite directions. This is due to the Irish government adopting the harp as its official emblem in 1922, leading Guinness to modify its own design to prevent confusion. It has been reimagined several times – the current incarnation features "sharper, more detailed features". Mark Sandys, Diageo Global Head of Beer and Baileys, commented: "The Guinness harp was originally based on the legendary 'Brian Boru harp', a powerful symbol of Ireland's national identity and heritage. "In keeping with the Guinness 'Made of More' ethos, we have reintroduced a special handmade quality to the harp to reflect the experience, craftsmanship and passion that we put into brewing our Guinness beers." For those who've never paid much attention, they may have only just found out an interesting tidbit about the Guinness logo. On social media platform X, one user posted: "How am I just noticing that Guinness logo is a harp?" Another pondered: "Am I the only one that is just realising that the Guinness logo is a harp? I seriously thought it was just a weirdly bent piece of gold." The piece of booze knowledge has left people floored. You really do learn something new every day!
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Guinness drinkers finally realise meaning behind famous logo after 163 years
The Guinness logo is recognisable to more than 150 countries in the world – but have you ever stopped to think about the famous emblem's history and true meaning? Guinness is one of the most iconic beer brands in the world. It is a dry stout that originated in Dublin, Ireland, and is known for its deep, dark colour and creamy white head. It's been around since 1759 and is loved for its distinctive roasted malt flavour, which people say reminds them of coffee and dark chocolate. The Irish stout is sold in more than 150 countries – and people knock back more than 10 million pints of the black nectar per day. But next time you get a round in, take some time to think about the history of the iconic brand. Even though many of us are familiar with the Guinness logo, which has been around for 163 years, plenty are completely clueless about what the harp was inspired by. So here's some fun trivia to test your friends on next time you're at the pub... Why does Guinness use a harp as a logo? The emblem is based on a famous Irish harp from the 14th century, which is known as the O'Neill or Brian Boru harp. You can see this ancient instrument at the Library of Trinity College Dublin, where plenty of tourists flock to as it is one of the oldest surviving Gaelic harps in the world. There is a difference in the two designs, though. The eagle-eyed among you may have spotted that the symbols are mirror images of one another. They point in different ways, which helps people to tell them apart. The Irish government adopted the harp as its official symbol in 1922, prompting Guinness to change its version to avoid clashing. It's undergone numerous redesigns over the years – with its current form including "sharper, more detailed features". Mark Sandys, Diageo Global Head of Beer and Baileys said: "The Guinness harp was originally based on the legendary 'Brian Boru harp', a powerful symbol of Ireland's national identity and heritage. In keeping with the Guinness 'Made of More' ethos, we have reintroduced a special handmade quality to the harp to reflect the experience, craftsmanship and passion that we put into brewing our Guinness beers." You learn something new every day, which is evident given that Guinness drinkers have taken to social media to share their surprise. One commenter wrote: How am I just noticing that Guinness logo is a harp?" Meanwhile, another said: "Am I the only one that is just realising that the Guinness logo is a harp?? I seriously thought it was just a weirdly bent piece of gold." What is Guinness made from? 1. Barley (Malted and Roasted): Barley is the primary grain used in Guinness. Some of it is malted (soaked and dried to encourage germination), and a portion is roasted to give Guinness its characteristic dark color and rich, roasted flavors. 2. Hops: Hops are flowers that act as a natural preservative and add bitterness to balance the sweetness of the malt. They contribute to the beer's distinctive flavor and aroma. 3. Water: Pure water is a key ingredient. Guinness is famously brewed using water from the Wicklow Mountains near Dublin, Ireland. 4. Yeast: Guinness uses a proprietary strain of yeast, which ferments the sugars in the malted barley to produce alcohol. This yeast has been preserved and reused in the brewing process for many years.
Irish Daily Star
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Guinness fans just learn true meaning behind iconic logo after 163 years
Each year, around 1.8 billion pints of Guinness are sold worldwide. To put things into perceptive, stout fans are knocking back more than 10 million glasses of the black stuff per day. But despite many of us loving the taste of the dark nectar – comprised of four main ingredients of water, barley, hops and yeast – there is still fun trivia people are learning about the company. This includes knowledge about the iconic harp logo that is recognisable in countries around the world. So did you know this fun bit of trivia? It's something fun to mull over next time you're down the pub with some mates. So here's everything you need to know about the Guinness logo that's been around for 163 years and counting. It's a harp with one key difference – it's been flipped around (Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images) Why does Guinness use a harp as a logo? It turns out, the history of it goes back much further than just being part of the drink's emblem. The logo is based on a famous Irish harp from the 14th century known as the O'Neill or Brian Boru harp. You can now see this on display at the Library of Trinity College Dublin – and hundreds of visitors crowd around it each day. This is because the ancient item is one of the oldest surviving Gaelic harps in the world. However, there is a key difference between the harps seen in the library and on Guinness products. They are mirror images that face opposite ways. This is because the Irish government adopted the harp as its official symbol in 1922, prompting Guinness to change its version to avoid clashing. It's undergone numerous redesigns over the years – with its current form including "sharper, more detailed features". Mark Sandys, Diageo Global Head of Beer and Baileys said: "The Guinness harp was originally based on the legendary 'Brian Boru harp', a powerful symbol of Ireland's national identity and heritage. In keeping with the Guinness 'Made of More' ethos, we have reintroduced a special handmade quality to the harp to reflect the experience, craftsmanship and passion that we put into brewing our Guinness beers." While some already knew this fun fact, there are people who are only just taking a closer look at the Guinness logo. On X, one commenter asked: "How am I just noticing that Guinness logo is a harp?" Meanwhile, another said: "Am I the only one that is just realising that the Guinness logo is a harp?? I seriously thought it was just a weirdly bent piece of gold." Well, the more you know!
