Dutch Gold is a low-cost, imported, pilsner lager beer sold only in Ireland.[1] It was launched there in 1995.[2]

Dutch Gold

The '4 for 5' Dutch Gold package
Type	pilsner
Alcohol by volume	3.5% ABV

The beer

The beer is distributed in Ireland by Comans Beverages, an importer and distributor of beers wines and spirits located in Tallaght, County Dublin. The beer originally contained 4% alcohol by volume. This was changed in 2022 to 3.5% alcohol by volume in order to align prices with Irelands newly introduced minimum alcohol unit pricing laws. It is described by the distributor as having "a crisp, clean, fresh flavour".[2]

Irish retailing

In the Irish canned beer market, Dutch Gold has a market share of between 11% and 14%, making it the nation's third most popular beer after Budweiser and Heineken as of 2007.[3][1] Dutch Gold is not advertised in the media, rather favouring in-store advertising. Competitive pricing and a variety of multi-pack offers are the primary promotional methods.

Social and cultural implications

In 2006, the Gardaí launched a campaign against anti-social behaviour in Lucan under the name 'Operation Dutch Gold'. The distributors of the product, Comans Wholesale of Tallaght, complained that the naming of the project was unfair to them.[4]

University College Dublin has a Dutch Society that is synonymous on campus with Dutch Gold.[5]

References