If you had to name a beer brand, it doesn’t get more iconic than Guinness.
Dark, dramatic and full of rich, smooth flavours, the stout has fans everywhere, from its native Ireland to sunny Nigeria, famously the second largest consumer of Guinness in the world.
The story starts in Dublin’s St James’s Gate, where on New Year’s Eve 1759, one Arthur Guinness signed a 9000-year lease to establish a brewery that made a drink now found in every reputable pub in the world.
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re into Guinness, you don’t just like it: you love it. Fans rate the lack of carbonation - “it’s savoury, I can drink a lot of it and it’s not fizzy” -, the coffee-esque flavour - “It’s somewhere between lager and wine” and it’s “Chocolate milkshake adjacent, and I’m totally on board with that.”
“It teaches you patience!” is another reason I heard, owing to the fact that a properly poured pint of draught Guinness needs time to rest before you should touch it to your lips - 120 seconds, supposedly.
And let’s not forget the health benefits many cite, namely the iron content. A pint of Guinness contains only 0.3 milligrams of iron; men would have to drink 29 pints and women 49 pints to meet the recommended daily allowance.
Still, some doctors used to prescribe the Black Stuff: “I’ve been a solid Guinness girl since my early 20s,” Cheryl Ward, 42, from South London tells me. “I used to faint a lot and the doctor told me half a Guinness every now and then wouldn't hurt. I was low in iron so he suggested supplements or a little Guinness. I picked the alcohol option. I like it because it's not gassy like beer, has health benefits, and if you find a good pint, the creamy bitterness is absolutely delightful.” Her favourite place to enjoy a pint in the capital? “The basement bar at Bradley's on Hanway Street.”
Guinness’s secret to success lies not just in its flavour, but in its masterful powers of reinvention. Every tenth pint poured in the capital is a Guinness; it’s shaken off its ‘old man’s drink’ reputation to such an extent that pubs were running dry before Christmas 2024. That’s not such a bad thing in some people’s eyes: “I like how it’s trendy now because pubs are keeping cleaner lines,” explains Johnny Edwards, 42 from Harefield. “There’s nothing worse than having a pint that hasn’t been pulled through in a while”.
And where there’s kudos, merch isn’t far behind. Guinness’s playful and dramatic marketing campaigns - “Good things come to those who wait”, “Lovely day for a Guinness” and “Guinness is good for you” - have slid off billboards and onto t-shirts and caps. Chefs have included the stout in recipes for chocolate cake and soda bread. Guinness memorabilia is everywhere.
If you’re looking to start or boost your collection - and what better time than with St. Patrick’s Day around the corner? - I’ve rounded up the best and most unusual Guinness collectables to get your paws on right now.
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Guinness Nitrosurge
This recent-ish launch (it was released in Ireland in 2021 before hitting the UK market in 2023) from Guinness purports to put the power of the pump in your hands.
It’s designed to be used on tins of Guinness using ultrasonic technology to recreate the classic Guinness pour. Clip it onto the top of the can, hit the button, tilt the glass, and then pour to watch the creamy swirls settle into your favourite beer.
It’s not a match for the ceremony and flavour of a proper pub-pulled pint, and purists may sneer, but if all you’re looking to do is improve the taste of the canned stuff, this will help.
Buy now £30.00, Amazon
JW Anderson x Guinness Logo Sweater
High fashion came calling for Guinness in late 2024 when US designer JW Anderson released a collection in honour of Guinness. The line of t-shirts and knits pluck inspiration from the brand’s vintage adverts. My favourite is this black jumper with an oversized Guinness logo, complete with the Irish harp.
Buy now £650.00, JW Anderson
ASOS DESIGN unisex oversized license t-shirt with Guinness prints in black
We are all oversaturated with the word iconic, but I ask you, what other word is there to describe the Guinness toucan?
The cheerful fellow first made his debut in 1935 and remains a playful brand mascot. ASOS agrees, giving the bird pride of place on its unisex Guinness tees. Festival fields will be awash with the top, mark my words.
Buy now £22.00, ASOS
Guinness Rugby Ball Shaped Easter Egg
If your interests include Guinness, chocolate, rugby and Easter, welcome to the chocolate egg of dreams. This luxe rugby-shaped Easter egg is made with dark chocolate and Guinness’s characteristically stouty flavours with liqueur-filled truffles lying in wait inside. It will make the perfect gift for a fan and comes with a free Easter card too.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Guinness Toucan Playing Cards
Gilroy the Toucan is back on this set of vintage-looking playing cards, an officially licenced product. The standard pack is perfect for playing a few hands while you wait for the next round to settle.
Buy now £6.95, Amazon
Ginis Pod Classic tee
Looking for a way to express your love for the dark stuff in a cool, indy way? Head to Everpress where you can find this fan-made tee that features a drawing of your favourite pint - or is it? We’re sure it’ll start to make sense after a couple of drinks.
Buy now £25.00, Everpress
The Official Guinness Cookbook by Caroline Hennessy
A drink-inspired cookbook written by an author with a drink-related surname - can it get any more perfect? Caroline Hennessy takes Guinness beyond the bar, showing home cooks just what you can do with the stout. Recipes include a savoury braised short rib, traditional Irish soda bread with a twist, and a beefy stew enriched with a glug of the good stuff.
Buy now £16.43, Amazon
Guinness Poster Art Wall Calendar 2025
Admire old-school Guinness marketing all year round with this 2025 calendar. Each month showcases another 1930s illustration by resident artist John Gilroy, the man responsible for Gilroy the Toucan.
Buy now £12.74, Amazon
Corduroy hat with Vitamin G pint design
Every wardrobe needs a good baseball cap, and for Guinness aficionados who don’t want to seem too try-hard, this Etsy version offers both a pun and a nod to the serve. The design is embroidered on corduroy, which makes it seem more luxe.
Buy now £16.80, Etsy
Exclusive Guinness Coffee '232' Brew
Many people have noted the close resemblance in flavour of coffee and Guinness. This packet of roasted coffee from Tiki Tonga Coffee Roasters makes it acceptable to enjoy a Guinness-style brew for brekkie.
Buy now £11.99, Amazon
King McGaw Guinness - 'G' Poster
Another jewel from Guinness’s advertising archives, this print is worthy for the home bar. It was originally designed by Abram Games and published in 1956, so if you’re after a midcentury print, this clever artwork will hit the spot.
Buy now £45.00, King McGaw
