Expansion to 4.5m hl will make Kildare a hub for Guinness 0.0
Guinness producer 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. Construction of the 2 million hectolitre site began in June 2024, and the proposed expansion would lift annual output to 4.5 million hectolitres, positioning the brewery as a major production hub not only for lagers and ales but also for Guinness and its alcohol-free variant Guinness 0.0 destined for emerging markets.
Initially earmarked for brands such as Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny and Carlsberg, the site is now set to take on a much larger role. The move follows a 161% surge in on-trade draught sales of Guinness 0.0 between June 2022 and March 2025, which put pressure on capacity at Dublin’s historic St James’s Gate. Last winter, demand even caused supply shortages in the UK and Ireland.
Colin O’Brien, Diageo’s global head of beer supply, said the expansion will help the company seize global growth opportunities while reinforcing Ireland’s position as a leading beer export hub. He emphasized that the Kildare site will set new benchmarks for energy and water efficiency. A company spokeswoman confirmed that St James’s Gate will remain “the heart and soul of Guinness,” supplying the most established markets, including Ireland, the UK, and the US.
The first brews at Littleconnell are expected in early 2026, pending approval. Diageo previously faced a legal challenge from local farmer John Lynch, which delayed the project, but the case was withdrawn following mediation. The company now expects a smoother planning process as it advances its long-term strategy to expand capacity and flexibility. Meanwhile, Diageo continues to reshape 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.
