Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE), the drinks manufacturer, owns almost every big spirit brand in the world – or at least it seems that way – from high-end Vodkas like Ciroc to smaller beers such as East African Breweries Tusker.
Yet, before it acquired nearly every drink under the sun, Guinness was the group's core brand - after all, Diageo was born out of a merger between the drink's brewery and Grand Metropolitan back in 1997.
If Tuesday’s full-year results are anything to go by, Guinness could be returning as Diageo's star brand once again.
Experiencing international sales growth of 16%, the fastest rise in the drink’s 265-year history, the stout is becoming one of Diageo’s biggest brands across the globe, with it making up one in ten pints poured in London.
Volumes jumped by 6% in Europe and 4% in North America and Asia Pacific, outperforming brands such as Smirnoff, Tanqueray, and Baileys.
Overall drink sales in Ireland grew by 16%, driven by growth in Guinness sales and market share, a turnaround from prior years when the drink’s performance declined.
Beer sales increasing by 3% in Africa was also helped by the Irish beverage, which grew by 7% along with 22% sales growth for its non-acholic counterpart Malta Guinness.
“Arthur Guinness would be proud,” said Diageo UK’s managing director Nuno Teles.
Construction is currently underway to build a new Guinness brewery in Covent Garden after the London-listed group received planning permission earlier this year.
Johnnie Walker experienced some of the strongest volume growth among Diageo's brands Source Distilando
Johnnie Walker was another strong “global giant”, with volumes increasing by 9% even as net sales of the scotch whisky in the US dropped by 13%.
In Europe, sales of the drink jumped by nearly 30%, helping it become the key driving force in scotch net sales growing by 12%.
Selection of Casamigos Source: The Champagne Company
George Clooney’s tequila Casamigos was a strong performer too, sales in the US rose by 14%, helping total volumes lift by 7% globally.
Diageo shares are up almost 0.9% on Tuesday, having opened at a little over 3,427p.