​​Innovating for an Icon – The Story of the Creation of Guinness Zero

This webinar is presented in partnership with Guinness

Webinar Summary

During this session Aisling Ryan, Lead Brewer for Guinness Zero Development, and Steve Gilsenan, Guinness Global Head of Quality will talk through the development of Guinness Zero from the early ideation of what Guinness Zero should be, to the success Guinness Zero has become around the world. We will talk through the early testing, technology selection to ultimately looking for a flavour match to Guinness Draught. Following launch in 2023, we will talk to how the brand has expanded around the world to become the fastest growing zero-alcohol beer in the world.

Key Takeaways

Attendees will have an appreciation of how Guinness Zero came to be and the focus on quality that goes into all Guinness innovation in the same way it does with Guinness for decades around the world.

About the Presenters

Aisling Ryan

Brand Change & Innovation Manager | Africa & Liquid

Aisling Ryan is the Lead Brewer behind the development of Guinness Zero and currently works as Brand Change & Innovation Manager for Africa & Liquid. With 12 years of experience in Diageo across global beer innovation and brand change, she leads the Africa Innovation pipeline, overseeing a team of project managers and liquid technologists to deliver high‑quality, margin‑accretive, and sustainable product innovations. She holds a degree in Home Economics and Economics, a master’s in Food Technology and Nutrition, and a second master’s in Food Policy and Nutrition. She is passionate about bringing technical excellence, consumer insight, and sustainable innovation together to build the future of Diageo’s innovation strategy.

Steve Gilsenan

Global Head of Quality | Guinness

Steve Gilsenan is the Global Head of Quality for Guinness, on a mission to make sure the world’s most famous stout is enjoyed at its best, everywhere. A qualified Master Brewer and Beer Sommelier, Steve has spent over two decades perfecting the craft, including five years as Master Brewer at St. James’s Gate. Over the past five years, he’s led groundbreaking innovations like Guinness MicroDraught, NitroSurge, and the launch of Guinness 0.0, bringing the magic of Guinness to more people, places, and occasions than ever before. Steve is the creative force behind the Guinness FutureServe programme, holds multiple patents, and has won five prestigious Red Dot design awards for pioneering beer dispense technology. After working across the globe in markets from Trinidad to Singapore, Steve now calls Ireland home, where he continues to shape the future of Guinness for generations to come.