Guinness-Diageo, the company that promotes Guinness, Harp, Kaliber, Red Stripe and Smirnoff Ice (and formerly, Captain Morgan's Gold) used to be called the "Guinness-Bass Import Co." and at one time, also controlled Bass Ale and Pilsner Urquell in America.
Pilsner Urquell was purchased by SABMiller, PLC while Bass Ale was purchased by Interbrew of Belgium, who just merged with AmBev of Brazil to form the world's largest brewer by volume, now called InBev. They, in America, control brands such as Labatt (Blue, Blue Light, Ice, Canadian Ale and Select), Boddington's Pub Ale, Rolling Rock and Rock Green Light, Beck's, Beck's Dark and Beck's Light, Lowenbrau, Tennent's, Stella Artois, Staropramen and more...
Anyway, when then Bass Brewery was purchased, there was an agreement between Guinness-Diageo and Interbrew that Guinness wouldn't launch an ale of their own to compete with Bass for something like, three years or so. Anyway, that time is up and now Guinness is launching Smithwick's all across America to compete with Bass Ale. It will be an uphill climb for sure. Anyway, I'm sure that's more than enough beer knowledge for one night.
Tip up folks!