Guinness has announced that it will soon be vegan-friendly.

For its 256-year history, Guinness has made use of isinglass, an fishing industry by-product, to filter excess yeast from its world-famous stout.

However, a spokesperson for Guinness said a new filtration plant would put and end to the use of fish bladders, which have made the drink a non-option for vegans and vegetarians.

“Whilst isinglass is a very effective means of clarification, and has been used for many years, we expect to stop using it as the new filtration asset is introduced,” he said.

It has long been a source of irritation for vegans and vegetarians, many of whom have petitioned the company to alter its production methods, especially as isinglass doesn't not need to be included of the label in most countries.

In 2003, the Times reports, lobbying from alcohol manufacturers successfully blocked a European Parliament plan to highlight its use, arguing that it has historically been used in the brewing industry with no known side-effects.

Isinglass has been used since the 18th century to reduce the amount of sediment present in beer, but leaves small minuscule traces of fish in the final product.