Guinness has signed an agreement with Bass to distribute its Caffreys ale brand throughout the United States.

The agreement has been signed between the Guinness Import Company (GIC) and Bass Brewers Worldwide (BBW), which is the parent company of Tennents Ireland.

Caffreys was launched in the Republic and Britain four years ago and is now sold in 23 markets worldwide.

The managing director of Tennents Ireland, Mr Liam Meaney, said "based on their track record to date, we are very confident that GIC will develop Caffreys as a major import brand in the USA".

While Guinness and Bass are competitors in the British and Irish markets, they have exported into the United States together for several years. See Director's Chair, page 26, Business This Week 2