Harp

The Trinity College Harp is the inspiration for the Guinness harp motif. Benjamin Lee Guinness, the current possessor, adopted it in 1862. Harps have been a symbol of Ireland since at least Henry VIII's reign. Shortly after the Trade Marks Registration Act of 1875 was passed, Guinness registered their harp as a trademark. It is distinguishable from the Irish coat of arms because it faces right rather than left.

Guinness has had a lengthy history of marketing activities, ranging from television advertising to beer mats and posters, to combat declining sales since the 1930s. Guinness had little promotion before then, relying on word of mouth to market the product.

Guinness is an Irish dry stout that was first brewed in 1759 at Arthur Guinness's brewery in St. James's Gate, Dublin, Ireland. It is one of the most popular alcohol brands in the world, with about 50 nations producing it and over 120 countries selling it. In 2011, sales totaled 850 million litres (190,000,000 imp gal). Despite dropping usage since 2001, it remains the most popular alcoholic beverage in Ireland, where Guinness & Co. Brewery produces about €2 billion in beer each year.