DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) - It is a stiff drink for some workers employed by Ireland's Guinness beer company, parented by Diageo (dee-AH'-jee-oh) PLC.

It has announced plans to lay off more than half of its brewery workers, close two breweries and shift most beer production to a new, high-tech plant in the Dublin suburbs by 2013.

The British beverage company decided not to close the landmark Guinness brewery, one of Dublin's oldest businesses and a top tourist attraction. It concluded such a move would do too much damage to its brand and customer sentiment.

Diageo expects to lay off about 250 people, or 58 percent of its current brewery work force in Ireland, over the next five years. Brewing staff at the flagship Guinness brewery at St. James' Gate in west Dublin will be slashed from 230 to just 65.

AP Links

On the Net:

http://www.diageobrewingassessment.com/content/index.asp

GRAPHICSBANK 1000308 (03/05/08)>> 1000x750

GUINNESS DRAUGHT logo, graphic element on white