Leaders in the Irish Brewing Industry meet for the launch of the Emmerald Green Keg
On Thursday the 4th and Friday 5th of June some of the most influential leaders in the Irish Brewing Industry met in Cavan
for the launch of the Emmerald Green Keg, a new and innovative patent protected beer keg, owned, designed and
manufactured in Ireland.
Not since the last Cooper left St James Gate Brewery, Dublin, the home of Guinness, have beer kegs been manufactured in
Ireland. Emmerald, a Galway based company, is set to change that, working with Gem Plastics, Emmerald’s manufacturing
and investment partners, based in Cavan
Emmerald green keg is the brain child of the Team at Emmerald Polymers. So what is Emmerald Green Keg?
It is a polymer keg designed and tested to meet and exceed the exacting standards of the brewing industry for safety,
sustainability, quality, durability and probably, most importantly, for the Pint Drinker, taste, – no matter what your
preference.
The Brewing Industry and the Need to Change
1. Why change, nobody likes change!
2. There are €650 million reasons why (global annual theft value for raw material)
3. Health and safety – lightweight construction – ease of handling, both full and empty
4. Carbon footprint – totally recyclable, transportation and fuel costs
5. Noise pollution – extended delivery times, fewer complaints
6. Downtime
THE BREWING INDUSTRY NEEDS THIS CHANGE
The team at Emmerald is no stranger to the Beer business. They already sell Emmerald Green Casks to the brewing industry.
Emmerald Green Casks are currently being used by brewers in Ireland, UK and the US. In excess of 40,000
Emmerald Green Casks are being used on a daily basis.
So who is the team at Emmerald?
Brian Duffy, Chairman, formally Chairman and MD Diageo Ireland, Global Brand Director for Guinness and Global Category
Director for Diageo beer.
Kevin Whelehan, Managing Director, son of a very well-known Dublin Publican, Mick Whelehan, formerly a member of the
Diageo Ireland Leadership team. Kevin left Diageo in January and joined forces with Brendan Fahy, a well know successful
Galway Publican and Greg Whitehorne a veteran in the drinks wholesaling business in the UK.
Board Director Ken Allan, currently Managing Director at Britvic Ireland. Prior to Britvic, Ken was commercial Director
Brandhouse in Africa, prior to that Commercial Director at Diageo Ireland.
Phillip Wallis, Technical Director, formerly Technical and Design Director with Harcostar. Phillip designed both Emmerald
Green Keg and Cask.
Emmerald is backed by Enterprise Ireland. Kevin Sherry Manager High Potential Start Ups, Enterprise Ireland added
“Emmerald Green Keg is an excellent example of the type of start-up we like to back. They have taken innovation and
green technologies to a traditional product and we are very excited about the global market opportunities it presents.
We look forward to working with the management as they grow their business and wish them every success”
