1759
Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease on a brewery at St. James’s Gate in Dublin. Cost: £100 ($145-ish USD) down, and £45 ($65-ish USD) per year afterward. The brewery soon after begins cranking out porter and ale.

1775
The brewery had been getting its water supply—no small amount, to be sure—for free. Dublin officials, including a sheriff were dispatched to cut off the supply, but Arthur dissuaded them with a pickaxe. The two parties settled the dispute in 1784, when water rights were granted for the remainder of the lease (8,975 years, if you’re bad at math or just aren’t paying attention)

1803
After Arthur Guinness dies, his son Arthur Guinness II, assumes leadership.

1821
Arthur Guinness II finalized precise instructions for brewing Guinness Extra Superior Porter, what we know and love today as Guinness Extra Stout.

1824
The first known Guinness ad was published in a Dublin newspaper for Guinness’s East & West India Porter.

1833
The brewery at St. James’s Gate became the largest brewery in Ireland.

1862
Guinness introduced its trademark oval label featuring a harp and Arthur Guinness’s signature. The Harp was registered as a  trademark in 1876.

1869
Under Edward Cecil Guinness’s leadership, the size of the brewery grew to over 50 acres, roughly twice its previous size.

1876
The Guinness harp became a registered trademark.

1929
By this time, an average of two million pints of Guinness were sold every day.  The first “Guinness is Good For You” ad appeared in the British press.

1936
The first Guinness brewery outside Dublin was built at Park Royal, London.

1950
An average of five million pints of Guinness were sold every day.

1955
The first Guinness Book of Records was published. The idea resulted from an argument between the managing director of Guinness Breweries and another member of his hunting party. He resolved to publish a book of records that could settle arguments. It was an instant success.

1959
Draught Guinness was introduced.

1963
The first Guinness brewery located outside the British Isles was opened in Nigeria. Breweries in Malaysia, Jamaica, Ghana and Cameroon were opened shortly thereafter.

1963
The last wooden keg was retired at Guinness’s brewery at St. James’s Gate, after which beer was stored and shipped in metal kegs.

1973
Guinness brewed their last porter.

1976
An average of over seven million pints were sold every day.

1985
Guinness was being brewed in 25 countries and sold in 120.

1988
Draught Guinness in a can was introduced, employing a nitrogen-filled widget to provide a tap-like  creamy pour.

2007
An average of over ten million pints were sold every day, in over 150 countries.

2005
The brewery at Park Royal, London closed, after which all Guinness for the British Isles was brewed at St. James’s Gate.

2009
Guinness celebrated its 250th anniversary

2010
Guinness redesigned its pint glass. The new version was roughly the same shape, but somewhat taller, slimmer and easier to stack.