December 31, 1759
Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease at St. James's Gate Brewery, Dublin, and began brewing Guinness beer.
Dublin, Ireland | Guinness
On December 31, 1759, Arthur Guinness made a landmark decision that would not only shape his future but also establish a legacy that persists to this day. On this date, he signed a long-term lease for the St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. The terms of the lease were extraordinary in scale: 45 pounds annually for a duration of 9,000 years. This decision marked the formal beginning of brewing operations that would eventually become synonymous with one of the world’s most famous beer brands, Guinness.
The mid-18th century brewing industry in Dublin was vibrant but competitive. Arthur Guinness, born in 1725 in Celbridge, County Kildare, had already gained some experience in the industry by managing a brewing operation in Leixlip, County Kildare. Seeking greater opportunities, he set his sights on Dublin, a hub for trade and commerce, where he could tap into an expanding market.
The lease granted Arthur Guinness rights over a dilapidated and reportedly idle brewery covering four acres, enabling him to rapidly scale his brewing operations.
Upon securing the lease, Arthur Guinness concentrated on brewing ale initially, building a reputation for high quality. By the 1770s, the focus had shifted to porters, a style gaining immense popularity in London and beyond. This shift positioned Guinness in the burgeoning international market.
Guinness thrived under Arthur’s leadership and later generations of his family, cultivating an iconic brand. Today, the St. James’s Gate Brewery stands as a historic site and tourist attraction, while Guinness has become a symbol of Irish cultural heritage.
Arthur Guinness’s decision on New Year’s Eve of 1759 has had a lasting impact, establishing a global enterprise and a flagship of Irish brewing history. His foresight and ambition remain evident in a commitment that—at least contractually—spans millennia.
Source: www.guinness.com