Guinness beer is owned by Diageo plc, a British-based multinational alcoholic beverage company. Diageo was formed in 1997 through the merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan. The Guinness brand remains one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide under Diageo's ownership, with brewing operations mainly based at the original St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. Although the Guinness family retains a stake in Diageo, the company itself owns the Guinness brand and its production.