AI-Powered ‘Rachel’ Calls 3,000 Irish Pubs: Guinness Prices Drop as Competition Heats Up
In a groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence, a 37-year-old tech enthusiast has deployed an AI agent named “Rachel” to call over 3,000 Irish pubs, compiling a real-time consumer price index for a pint of Guinness. The initiative, powered by Anthropic’s Claude language model and voice AI from ElevenLabs, has sparked a wave of price cuts among pubs eager to stay competitive[1][2].
The Birth of the Guinness Price Tracker
Matthew Cortland, the innovator behind the project, sought to address a simple yet persistent question: Where can one find the cheapest pint of Ireland’s iconic stout? Frustrated by outdated online listings and word-of-mouth tips, Cortland turned to AI to automate the process at scale.
“I made an ElevenLabs agent that can take the phone numbers… from the Google Maps API data and then give them a ring and politely ask, ‘Hey, we’re doing a bit of a survey. Could you please tell us this cost?'” Cortland explained in a recent YouTube interview[3]. The AI, voiced as a friendly female named Rachel, has successfully gathered pricing data from thousands of establishments across the country.
Revealing Price Disparities
The results paint a vivid picture of Ireland’s pub pricing landscape. While pints in Dublin often hover around higher marks, Cortland’s data uncovered hidden gems. “The cheapest pint in Ireland is like 4.30 euros or so… not in Dublin, but my research found one pub in Dublin where you can get it for a fiver,” he shared[3].
Even more remarkably, user submissions have identified additional Dublin spots offering Guinness for just €5—a steal in a city where prices typically exceed €6. This transparency has not only informed thirsty consumers but also pressured pubs to rethink their pricing strategies[2].
Pubs Respond with Price Wars
The AI-driven survey has ignited fierce competition. Multiple sources report pubs slashing prices to match or undercut rivals highlighted in the index. “Now pubs are lowering their prices to compete,” as noted in initial coverage, turning Cortland’s experiment into a catalyst for affordability[2].
In rural areas and smaller towns, prices dip as low as €4.30, while urban centers like Dublin show greater variance. Some establishments politely shared details with Rachel, while others declined—but enough data flowed in to create a comprehensive map accessible online[1].
| Location | Cheapest Pint (€) | Average Pint (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Ireland | 4.30 | 5.00-5.50 |
| Dublin | 5.00 | 6.00+ |
Tech Behind the Calls
Cortland praised the low-latency API from ElevenLabs, which enabled natural, real-time conversations. Combined with Anthropic’s Claude for scripting and Google Maps for sourcing pub contacts, the system operates with minimal human intervention[1][2][3].
“Some people said yes. Some people said no. Yeah, just also interesting findings about what like…” – Matthew Cortland on AI call responses[3].
This blend of voice synthesis, natural language processing, and data aggregation demonstrates AI’s potential in everyday consumer tools, far beyond chatbots or image generators.
Implications for Consumers and the Industry
For Guinness lovers, the tool is a game-changer. Websites and apps now host interactive maps plotting the cheapest pours, updated dynamically as more calls are made and user tips pour in. Pub owners, meanwhile, face a new reality: transparency drives competition.
“There are three or four pubs in Dublin where you can get a Guinness for 5, which is like… amazing,” Cortland noted, highlighting how the project has democratized access to bargain pints[3].
Broader AI Trends in Everyday Life
This story underscores AI’s shift from hype to hyper-practical applications. From price tracking to market research, autonomous agents like Rachel could soon handle surveys, bookings, or even negotiations. As Cortland’s project gains traction, it raises questions about data privacy, pub response rates, and the future of human-AI interactions in service industries.
Industry watchers predict similar tools for other staples—coffee, burgers, or flights—potentially reshaping local markets worldwide. In Ireland, at least, the pint has never been more accessible.
Pubs adapting quickly: Some have advertised their new low prices on social media, crediting (or competing with) the AI index. Whether this leads to sustained drops or temporary promotions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—technology has poured itself into Ireland’s pub culture.
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