The surprising reason none of the Guinness family actually work at the company anymore

After becoming the UK’s most popular beer in 2023, Guinness is enjoying a moment that shows no sign of slowing down. And now, thanks to Netflix’s House of Guinness, a new drama from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, everyone’s suddenly obsessed with the history of the iconic Irish stout and the family that once ran it.

Credit: Netflix

The series, which shot to number one on Netflix over the weekend, follows the descendants of Benjamin Guinness as they struggle to hold onto the empire their father built. For people hoping to see how the Guinness dynasty shaped the brand we drink today, though, there’s a twist: No living member of the Guinness family actually works for Guinness anymore, so here’s why.

Back in 1997, Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan to form a new super-company called Diageo. Since then, Diageo has produced Guinness alongside other global drinks like Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and Baileys. The Guinness family still hold shares in the company, but according to Guinness’ own FAQs, “no family member holds an executive role in the company or works within the Diageo organisation”.

Credit: Netflix

Ironically, given the new show’s plot, the last Guinness family member to hold serious power in the business was also called Benjamin Guinness. He became president of Guinness in 1986, but after the company’s hostile takeover of alcohol rival Distillers that same year, the family’s shares were heavily diluted. By the time Guinness merged to create Diageo, the dynasty’s direct control had vanished completely.

Most Read

‘You belong to us’: OnlyFans model dumped in Dubai with broken spine speaks out for first time

I went on a night out with Bonnie Blue – it was uncomfortable and she’s dead behind the eyes

Here’s exactly how to do the AI polaroid trend all over social media right now

So, while House of Guinness might show family feuds, business intrigue and all the drama you’d expect from Knight’s writing, the reality today is much more corporate: Guinness is run by Diageo executives, not Guinness heirs.

Whether the series will follow the family’s decline in influence in future seasons remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure, you won’t find a Guinness pouring your pint any time soon.

For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.

Featured image credit: Netflix