DIAGEO is set to almost triple production of its non-alcoholic Guinness after a surge in the booze-free black stuff's popularity.

The drinks giant has invested just north of £20m in a new facility at its flagship St James's Gate brewery in Dublin to meet an increased demand for nonalcoholic stout.

'Guinness 0.0' is now the bestselling non-alcoholic beer in four-pack format on the island of Ireland and in Great Britain, Diageo said.

The spike in demand comes amid increased interest in nonalcoholic options, with Diageo estimating its non-alcoholic Guinness will make up 10 per cent of all on-trade sales in the coming years.

Yesterday, Tesco confirmed that sales of so-called 'no and low' beers were 25 per cent higher in June than at the start of the year as more and more Brits trade in the buzz - and the hangover - for the more sensible option this summer.

UK-based non-alcoholic beer brand Lucky Saint has even opened its own London pub.

"This expansion in production capacity at St James's Gate is a testament to the quality of Guinness 0.0 and the growth of the non-alcoholic category as consumers look for more choice on different occasions," said Barry O'Sullivan, Diageo Ireland's managing director.

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