Guinness Has joined the Arctic World Archive To Preserve Its Legacy
- Guild Secretary
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
Selection of the Irish brand’s archives, including pioneering innovations and community impact, joined global cultural treasures in the 'sanctuary for humanity's collective achievements' in Svalbard
Guinness, a stout grounded in heritage, today announced that they have deposited a curated selection of its extensive historical archives within the Arctic World Archive in Svalbard, Norway. As the first Irish brand and first drinks brand to contribute to this secure, permafrost-protected vault, Guinness has preserved its 267-year legacy of brewing, innovation, and profound cultural and societal impact from 1759 to present day for future generations. At the heart of this deposit is the belief that Guinness’ legacy lives not only in brewing milestones, but in the people and communities who have made it part of their celebrations, connections, and “Lovely Days” across generations.
Curated by Guinness Archivist Eibhlin Colgan, the collection that has been deposited offers a comprehensive look at the brand's rich history, organised into “Beer,” “Brand,” and “People.” The “People” pillar spotlights the lived stories behind the pint—capturing how Guinness has shown up in communities, from pioneering employee welfare benefits to community initiatives and cultural moments that have created connection. It includes seminal documents such as innovation patents for the iconic widget, Nitrosurge, and Microdraught technologies; the evolution of the distinctive Guinness harp and early advertising campaigns; and records reflecting the brand’s long-standing role in social and community life. Irish beer mats campaign ‘Pints of View’ is also included—an invitation for the Guinness community to place their own “Lovely Day” right at the centre, turning everyday moments of togetherness into a shared cultural story.
This exciting step echoes the foresight of Arthur Guinness, who in 1759 signed a 9,000-year lease for the St. James’s Gate brewery in Dublin. Now, Guinness' heritage and cultural impact will be stored in a facility designed to survive for at least 1,000 years. This historic deposit occurred alongside the prestigious World Legacy Summit, a confluence of minds hosted by UNESCO, the AWA Foundation, and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, dedicated to celebrating the preservation of nature, culture, and time itself.
The Guinness archive, located at St. James’s Gate, Dublin, carefully collects, preserves, and shares the history of the world’s most famous stout since the formation of Guinness. This deposit into the Arctic World Archive serves as an immense honour and a complementary step in safeguarding these invaluable records, enhancing Guinness's existing preservation system.
"Our own Guinness Archive is a treasure trove, meticulously preserving the stories that have shaped our brand for over two and a half centuries," said Eibhlin Colgan, Guinness Archivist. "To see a curated selection of our most vital cultural and societal narratives now immortalised within the Arctic World Archive is an immense honour. From the people who brewed it, to the communities who made it theirs, these materials reflect the human stories behind Guinness—moments of connection and ‘Lovely Days’ that deserve to endure. It’s a testament to the enduring impact of Guinness that these materials stand alongside the world’s most significant cultural institutions."
Guinness has not only immortalised its innovation but also brought it to life at the official deposit ceremony in Svalbard. Pints were poured using the very Nitrosurge and Microdraught technologies whose groundbreaking patents are now sealed within the archive, offering a taste of history served in the present. And as Guinness looks to the future, it remains committed to celebrating the role the pint plays in bringing people together—creating new stories worthy of being remembered.
"Depositing seminal parts of the Guinness archive into the Arctic World Archive is a landmark moment, reflecting our enduring commitment to preserving our rich legacy for future generations," added Stephen O’Kelly, Global Brand Director at Guinness. "This specially curated collection, spanning 267 years, isn't just about Guinness; it's about safeguarding a piece of global cultural history – from our pioneering innovations to the stories of our people and communities. We believe this unique act has ensured the story of the perfect pint continues to be discovered for millennia to come."
Located 300 meters inside a mine in Longyearbyen, just 600 miles from the North Pole, the Arctic World Archive already houses invaluable global treasures, including manuscripts from the Vatican Library, Dante’s Divine Comedy, Munch’s The Scream, and national records from around the world. Guinness joined other esteemed institutions contributing to the 2026 deposit, such as The Band Aid Trust and masterpieces from Fryderyk Chopin, solidifying its place among the world’s most significant cultural legacies.
-ENDS -
About GUINNESS: The GUINNESS Company was established in 1759, when Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin. Brewed using four natural ingredients, water, barley (malted & roasted), hops and yeast, Guinness is the world’s most popular stout. The iconic beer is brewed in 49 countries worldwide and sold in over 120. The most Guinness is sold in Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Nigeria and Cameroon. All Guinness consumed in Ireland and Great Britain is brewed at St. James’s Gate Brewery. More information can be found at www.guinness.com
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About the Arctic World Archive (AWA)
The Arctic World Archive began in 2017 as a bold initiative by Norwegian tech company Piql: to preserve humanity’s most valuable data in the Arctic, using ultra-durable, future-proof film stored deep in a repurposed Svalbard coal mine.
What started as a project became a symbol — and in 2025, AWA became an independent foundation, ensuring neutrality, transparency, and global stewardship.
Our mission is simple: Preserve the world’s memory — securely, sustainably and freely accessible to all for generations to come.
Editor's Notes:
The digital collection deposited by Guinness into the Arctic World Archive is a meticulously curated selection of materials, spanning 267 years of history, and organised into three core categories: "Beer," "Brand," and "People."
Key highlights from the "Beer" category include:
Arthur Guinness's Brewing Book (1796-1815): Records the pivotal decision to cease ale brewing and focus solely on porter.
Iconic Patent Collection: Documents for groundbreaking innovations such as the original Draught Guinness, the original Widget (1986), the Floating Widget (1997), Microdraught (2020), and Nitrosurge (2021).
Global Expansion Foundation: The Nigeria Foundation document (1962), marking the laying of the foundation stone for the first overseas Guinness brewery outside the UK and Ireland.
Brewing Excellence: Video capturing the development of Brewhouse 4 (2015), the largest stout brewhouse at its time, and the published paper on "The Origins of the Guinness Stout Yeast" (2023).
Overseas Traveller Reports (1900-1912): Detailed accounts from Guinness travellers on global sales and quality, offering unique insights into early 20th-century markets.
Key highlights from the "Brand" category include:
Original 9000-Year Lease (1759): The foundational document signed by Arthur Guinness for the St. James's Gate brewery.
Evolution of Livery: The first-ever Guinness label (1862) and a collection tracing the evolution of trademark labels from 1862 to the 2020s.
Groundbreaking Advertising: The first official Guinness press advert (1930), and iconic John Gilroy animal posters including the Sealion (1935) and Toucan (1955).
Pioneering TV Ads: The first Guinness television ad "A poster comes to life" (1955), aired on the first night of commercial TV in the UK, alongside award-winning ads like "Anticipation" (1994) and "Surfer" (1999).
Modern Campaigns: Features on inclusive advertising like "Basketball" (2013), and impactful initiatives such as "Made of Black" (2015), "Black Shines Brightest" (2021), and the "Never Settle" campaign for women's sports (2025).
Key highlights from the "People" category include:
Employee Welfare: Staff newsletters ("The Harp," "Guinness Time"), lists of St. James's Gate employees (1870-2000), and a history of the Medical and Social Services (1943), detailing Guinness's progressive employer benefits.
Philanthropic Legacy: Documentation of Guinness family philanthropy, including the "Book of Thanks" for Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness's restoration of St. Patrick's Cathedral (1865).
Community Connection: Artwork for Guinness Emporium Dublin pub dripmats (2009) celebrating key Dublin pubs, and the "Keep the Lights On" campaign (2020) supporting customers during COVID-19.
Consumer Insights: Examples from the "Pints of View" community social campaign (2026), capturing what Guinness means to its global audience today.
LINK TO CONTENT - HERE
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