Harp Lager
 | |
| Inception | 1960 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Diageo |
| Website | Diageo.com: Harp lager |
| Notes Pale lager | |
Harp Lager is an Irish lager created in 1960. Since 2013, it has been produced by the Guinness Brewery in Dublin. Prior to this, it was produced at the Great Northern Brewery in Dundalk. It is a major lager brand throughout most of Northern Ireland, but is now rarely available in the Republic of Ireland outside Dundalk, where most bars offer it on tap.
History
[edit]
Harp Lager was first produced in 1960 as a bottled beer by Guinness, in response to the popularity of Continental lager amongst drinkers in Ireland and Britain. Guinness converted its Dundalk brewery into a lager production plant with the guidance of Dr. Herman Muender, a German brewer.[1] Various names were considered for the brand before Harp was chosen, including Atlas, Cresta, and Dolphin.[2] The brand uses the Brian Boru harp as its emblem. By the mid-to-late 20th century, the Dundalk (or Great Northern) Brewery became the second-largest brewery in Ireland.[3]
In 1961, a consortium of brewers, Courage, Scottish & Newcastle, Bass, Mitchells & Butlers and Guinness, grouped together as Harp Lager Ltd. to brew and market the beer.[4][5] Courage's Alton Brewery was rebuilt to produce the lager in Great Britain.[2] By 1964, the product was sold on draught and was leader in sales for its category. Member groups of the Harp consortium changed over the years, with Courage and Scottish & Newcastle leaving in 1979 (though both groups became franchisees).[6]
Currently available both on draught and in 330ml and 500ml bottles, its top market is Ulster, being popular in Northern Ireland, County Donegal, and its place of origin, Dundalk, County Louth, where it still maintains a cult status. The company's once-significant role in the community through sponsorship at a number of levels, particularly the Dundalk Maytime Festival and Dundalk FC, have helped retain its popularity in Dundalk.[7]
In 2005, Harp underwent a brand makeover as Diageo Ireland separated the brand from Guinness.
The last Harp from Great Northern was brewed in 2013, after which production moved to St James's Gate Brewery, Dublin.[8]
In Australia, distribution is handled by Carlton & United Breweries. In North America, exports are labelled "imported from Ireland" and are brewed at Guinness' St. James Gate brewery in Dublin.
Marketing
[edit]For many years, the slogan "Harp stays sharp", coined by the advertising executive Rod Allen, was used in advertisements.[9] Recently[when?] it has used the slogan "Look on the Harp side" and, in Northern Ireland, “Harp, Pure here”.
References
[edit]- ^ "Harp medal-winning lager – Diageo Ireland". replay.waybackmachine.org. Archived from the original on 8 February 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
- ^ a b "The Grand Union Brewery - History of Lager". siteset.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
- ^ "Dundalk Brewing & Distilling". Louth Whiskey Society. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
- ^ Lawrence A. Wenner, Steven J. Jack (2009). Sport, beer, and gender: promotional culture and contemporary social life. Peter Lang. p. 60. ISBN 9781433100765.
- ^ Jack S. Blocker; David M. Fahey; Ian R. Tyrrell (2003). Alcohol and Temperance in Modern History: An International Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 177. ISBN 978-1-57607-833-4.
- ^ "Dundalk grows and develops"archive link September 2006 (Wayback Machine), Diageo
- ^ "Harp launched in 1959 from brewery with rich tradition in the industry in Dundalk". independent. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
- ^ Irish Independent: Harp brewery shuts up shop after half-century
- ^ "Rod Allen – Obituary". The Times. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
