Guinness Malaysia crowns its first chief pint officers

After months of searching for Malaysia’s biggest Guinness enthusiasts, the brand has officially named its first-ever chief pint officers (CPOs), a role designed to celebrate quality, passion, and the perfect pour.

From hundreds of entries nationwide, ten finalists battled it out for the coveted title at the grand finale held at Arthur’s Storehouse in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. At the end of the competition, three winners emerged, with one of them earning an all-expenses-paid trip to the iconic Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

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According to the brand, the inaugural lineup of chief pint officers includes Chia Pui Kwun from Kuala Lumpur, who earned the title of Grand CPO and will soon embark on the trip to Dublin. Joining him are Ong Li Min from Cameron Highlands, and Thiban Anadcaan, from Rawang, Selangor.

The journey to becoming a chief pint officer was no ordinary interview process. Finalists secured their spots through a series of Instagram challenges, where they showcased their skills in spotting, tilting, and posting the perfect pint. Those who made it to the top of the leaderboard were invited to a live showdown.

The grand finale featured a "tilt test" station, Guinness-themed trivia rounds, and live pouring challenges judged by Guinness ambassadors and stout enthusiasts. Participants were assessed on their ability to identify a perfect pour without tasting, master the “7Cs of the perfect pour” (from cleanliness and coldness to confidence), and perform Guinness’ signature pouring ritual under pressure.

Along with the bragging rights, the new chief pint officers will enjoy a year of exclusive perks. This includes a monthly allocation of Guinness products, credit to spend at Arthur’s Storehouse, invitations to selected Guinness events throughout the year, and an exclusive birthday celebration worth RM888. For Chia, the grand CPO, the highlight is undoubtedly the trip to Dublin, where she will visit the iconic Guinness Storehouse and experience the home of the brand firsthand.

“What stood out wasn’t just their knowledge of the perfect pint, but their passion for the brand and the pride they took in every step of the journey,” said Joyce Lim, marketing manager at Guinness Malaysia. “That’s the true Guinness spirit, and we can’t wait to see how they will inspire more people to appreciate and celebrate quality.”

In the coming months, the chief pint officers will play an active role in the Guinness community. Fans can expect bar recommendations, pint-pouring tips, and even surprise appearances at Guinness events across Malaysia.

Guinness' search began in July, and the competition was open to applicants aged 21 and above (non-Muslims only). Participants were told to share photos of successful "tilt tests" on their Instagram stories. The more valid entries submitted before the 31 July deadline, the higher they climb on the weekly leaderboard.

Guinness is no stranger to unconventional campaigns. In 2023, the brand partnered with GO Communications to launch the second official Guinness outlet in Malaysia, Arthur’s Storehouse. To mark the occasion, it brought in Irish rock band U2 (well, almost). The campaign featured Pavel Sfera, a renowned U2 tribute artist and Bono lookalike, who helped build anticipation with theatrical appearances and live performances.

Across the causeway, the brand dialed up the local flavour with "The Guinness experience", a multisensory campaign featuring a soundtrack inspired by rowdy pub singalongs, with a Singlish twist. The song, Here’s To All We Share, combined Irish and Singaporean slang with lyrics such as “talk cock, banter, with the chancers” and “smile so aunty give you more,” cementing Guinness’ flair for tapping cultural nuances while keeping the pints, and conversation, flowing.

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