GUINNESS® & Co. Rallies Fans From All Nations to Participate in the World's "Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration"

NORWALK, Conn., Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 17, 2012, to help make it the biggest, best and most enjoyable St. Patrick's Day celebration yet, GUINNESS & Co. is teaming up with millions of legal drinking age people all around the world to celebrate by attempting to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS (GWR) title for "The Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration."

"Every year, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by millions of people all around the world as a special occasion infused with the true spirit of Ireland – it has become the perfect opportunity to get together with friends, raise a pint of GUINNESS responsibly and enjoy one of the greatest days of the year," says Fergal Murray, Master Brewer of GUINNESS.

"Wherever you are and whoever you're with this St. Patrick's Day, GUINNESS is encouraging people of legal drinking age all around the globe to celebrate the best of the Irish by joining the campaign to make it officially 'The Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration' ever," Murray continued.

To take part in setting this world record, fans of St. Patrick's Day and GUINNESS-lovers alike can make an online pledge (via Facebook or www.Guinness.com) to responsibly enjoy a pint of the dark stuff this St. Patrick's Day.

In order to successfully set the world record, on March 17, 2012, GWR adjudicators will be stationed at GUINNESS events around the globe to painstakingly count the number of people celebrating this famous day, while verifying online pledges to assess whether St. Patrick's Day has achieved the records: Most pledges received for a campaign and the Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration.

If successful, GWR will officially confirm that GUINNESS hosted "The Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration" ever.

This is the first time that the GUINNESS and GWR brands have worked together in more than ten years. In 2001, GWR was sold by Diageo – the owner of GUINNESS.

To be a part of setting this GWR, legal drinking age consumers can go to www.Guinness.com or the official GUINNESS page on Facebook to pledge and receive a certificate for helping achieve "The Largest St. Patrick's Day Celebration" this March.

By pledging, fans will also have the option to enter for the chance to win a trip for two to Dublin where they'll be able to visit the Guinness Storehouse and attend Arthur's Day concerts and festivities in September.

Join GUINNESS & Co. this year to make St. Patrick's Day not only the largest, but also the best by celebrating with a pint and always remembering to drink 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.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

SOURCE GUINNESS