Ireland is world renowned for brands such as Guinness, Baileys, Bulmers and Jameson with the Irish pub given as one of the main reasons tourists visit Ireland. The Drinks sector is a major employer and important part of the overall Food and Drink sector in Ireland. Alcohol consumption has declined by a third in the last twenty years in Ireland and consumers are now choosing higher quality products, a trend which is also reflected in increasing exports of premium brands. The changing attitudes of younger people to drinking alcohol has also been highlighted in the #MyWayMyDay campaign. Sales of non-alcoholic beer have shot up in recent years with more consumers also choosing low or non-alcoholic cider and spirits. Innovative new products are being developed to satisfy demand with the production of Guinness 0.0 set to increase by 300%.

Irish Drinks are exported to 119 countries with over half of all exports going to North America. The value to the economy is €1.8 billion. As Ireland’s fastest growing manufacturing sector it supports thousands of jobs in production, wholesale distribution, off licences, tourism, hospitality and retail.

Microbreweries producing Irish craft beer and cider are also increasing their market share as consumers embrace new products. A number of new courses have been developed covering the scientific and technical aspects of the brewing and distilling process to meet the skills demand from this industry.

There are a wide range of careers and different working environments open to you in the Drinks industry including the non-alcohol sector which produces juices, packaged water, soft drinks and sports and energy drinks.

You could work in a laboratory carrying out scientific research and developing new products, as a brewer in a brew pub or microbrewery, in a retail outlet or an off licence, in a factory or warehouse manufacturing and distributing products, as a bar tender, sommelier or food and beverage manager working directly with your customers in the tourism/ hospitality sector or in a business/marketing role in a commercial setting. Some careers will require you to travel and there are great opportunities in international sales or as an international brand ambassador living overseas.