Water crisis threatens alcoholic drinks supply, Guinness-maker Diageo warns

Water makes up more than 60% of spirits and more than 90% of beer, with the remaining ingredients — grapes and grain — also depending on irrigation for farming

“You could be with the most efficient brewery or distillery in the world, but it’s still not going to mitigate your risk if there’s a drought.” 

Guinness-maker Diageo, the world’s biggest spirits company, is worried that climate change is going to make scarce the one ingredient that’s essential for making all of its alcoholic drinks – water.

Water security poses the most significant climate change-related risk for the maker of Tanqueray gin, Guinness and Baileys Irish Cream, according to Michael Alexander, global head of water, environment and agriculture sustainability at Diageo, which had 43 sites globally in water-stressed areas last year.