Beer Thieves Haul Away 450 Kegs From Ireland's Oldest Brewery

Dublin, Ireland (AHN) - The famed Oktoberfest in Europe is long over but beer continues to be in very high demand in Ireland - so much so that thieves stole on Wednesday 450 full kegs of beer from the Guinness brewery.

The bandit hauled away 180 kegs of Guinness stout, 90 kegs of Danish beer Carlsberg and 180 kegs of U.S. lager Budweiser, said to be the largest heist in the 248-year history of Ireland's largest brewer.

The raiders took away a total of 22,500 liters of beer with a price tag of more than $235,000.

Diageo PLC, the beverage company that owns Guinness, said burglary is unprecedented.

Police said a man drove into the Guinness, a top tourist attraction, and hitched his truck to a fully loaded trailer awaiting delivery to city pubs.

Authorities suspect the stolen beverages will be sold to numerous bars in the city. They did not give details on the suspects or how the investigation was proceeding.

Ireland, with a population of 4.2 million, has more than 10,000 pubs and bars and Guinness is their biggest beer supplier.

The company produces more than five million kegs a year.