Guinness® & Co. and Adult Consumers Around the World Set World Record for "The Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration" Ever

NORWALK, Conn., March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 17, 2012, people around the world united for St. Patrick's Day, the celebration which, for the first time ever, went down in history as "The Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration" thanks to the efforts of 435,456 legal drinking age GUINNESS fans.

Over the past four weeks, Guinness & Co. has invited adult fans of St. Patrick's Day and the brand to participate in the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS (GWR) attempt, either by pledging online that they would responsibly celebrate with a pint of the dark stuff this St. Patrick's Day or by joining GUINNESS celebrations on March 17, 2012.

To verify that the celebrations on March 17, 2012 officially comprised "The Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration" making it one of the greatest St. Patrick's Days ever, GWR has spent the past 12 hours painstakingly counting the number of online pledges and the number of people attending St Patrick's Day celebrations around the world for two GWR titles: the "most pledges received for a campaign" and the "Largest St Patrick's Day celebration."

"Setting the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title truly goes to show the loyalty and pride of GUINNESS fans throughout the world," said Doug Campbell, GUINNESS Brand Director. "Every day is worthy of raising a pint responsibly, but a toast is always extra special on St. Patrick's Day, and we were happy that this year we could toast with so many."

With 435,456 legal drinking age fans joining the campaign, GWR has confirmed a new record has been set, making this year's celebrations of St. Patrick's Day officially the world's "Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration."

This is the first time that the GUINNESS and GWR brands have partnered since 2001 when GWR, the universal authority on record breaking achievement, was sold by GUINNESS owners Diageo.

Whether part of "The Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration" or during any other occasion, GUINNESS reminds all legal drinking age consumers the importance of drinking responsibly.  

About GUINNESS®

GUINNESS® enjoys a global reputation as a uniquely authentic Irish beer and the best-selling stout in the world.  Famous for its dark color, creamy head and unique surge and settle, this distinctive beer has been brewed at the St. James's Gate brewery in Dublin, Ireland since 1759.  Over 10 million glasses of GUINNESS beer are enjoyed every single day around the world, and 1.8 billion pints are sold every year.  GUINNESS is available in well over 100 countries worldwide and is brewed in almost 50.  Also from the makers of GUINNESS, SMITHWICK'S, Ireland's oldest and best selling ale and HARP Lager, whose name pays tribute to the GUINNESS logo and the national symbol of Ireland.  Additional information about GUINNESS can be found at www.guinness.com.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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SOURCE Diageo