Diageo is preparing to file a planning application with Kildare County Council to more than double the capacity of its new EUR 200 million (USD 217 million) carbon-neutral brewery in Littleconnell, Co Kildare (inside.beer, 15.7.2022). Construction of the 2 million hectoliter brewery began in June 2024, and the proposed expansion would raise annual output to 4.5 million hectolitres, positioning the site as a key production hub for lagers, ales, and, crucially, for Guinness and Guinness 0.0 destined for emerging markets.
Initially earmarked for brands such as Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny, and Carlsberg, the Kildare facility is now set to take on a larger role. The move comes after a surge in demand for Guinness and its alcohol-free variant, with on-trade draught sales of Guinness 0.0 growing by 161% between June 2022 and March 2025. Demand has already strained production at Dublin’s historic St James’s Gate, which last winter faced supply shortages in the UK and Ireland (inside.beer, 6.12.2024)
Colin O’Brien, Diageo’s Global Head of Beer Supply, said the expansion will allow the company to meet global growth opportunities while strengthening Ireland’s role as a major beer export hub. He highlighted that the site will set new industry benchmarks for energy and water efficiency. A Diageo spokeswoman reiterated that St James’s Gate will remain “the heart and soul of Guinness,” brewing for its most established markets, including Ireland, the UK, and the US.
The first brews at Littleconnell are expected in early 2026. Diageo previously faced a legal challenge from local farmer John Lynch, which delayed the project, but the case was withdrawn after mediation (inside.beer, 30.4.2024). The company now hopes for a smoother planning process as it advances its long-term strategy to expand capacity and flexibility. Meanwhile, Diageo continues to evolve its brewing portfolio, having exited several African breweries while retaining control of the Guinness brand and preparing to open a showcase microbrewery in London’s Covent Garden later this year (inside.beer, 10.8.2022).
