King Charles III opens new London Guinness brewery

His Majesty King Charles III was greeted with “Céad Míle Fáilte” – a hundred thousand welcomes – when he arrived to officially open the Guinness Open Gate Brewery London in the heart of Covent Garden on 18 December.

Accompanied by Jason Thorndycraft, managing director of Guinness Open Gate Brewery London, His Majesty toured The Brewery with master brewer Hollie Stephenson, and tasted Old Brewer’s Yard Porter, Winter Warmer – the first of Hollie’s seasonal limited edition craft beers – and an Apricot Sour.

In the 232° Bar, named after the roasting temperature of barley for Guinness, His Majesty was led through pouring the perfect pint by tour guide Leo Ravina, before printing a Merry Christmas message on the top. The Guinness Open Gate Brewery London will become the southern hub of Diageo’s Learning for Life hospitality training programme. The King met recent graduates, who have already started their careers in hospitality, and Ruadh Thomson, a graduate of The King’s Foundation Introduction to Hospitality programme, who now works at The Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh.

The festive community celebrations continued through at Old Brewer’s Yard, where His Majesty met Mason London, the artist who created a 30ft mural in the courtyard that tells the story of Covent Garden’s streets and brewing history, through the people who have shaped its character across centuries. The King then joined a group of local businesses and community groups, including Pineapple Dance Studios, the Covent Garden Area Trust and local community centre, Dragon Hall Trust, while the Covent Garden Chorus sang Christmas carols.

Pip Lacey, executive chef at Guinness Open Gate Brewery London, introduced the local suppliers and food from the Brewery’s restaurants, with oysters from Gilroy’s Loft, Chef Calum Franklin’s handmade pies from Old Brewer’s Yard, and Guinness cake from The Porter’s Table.

Finally, Diageo chairman Sir John Manzoni and interim chief executive Nik Jhangiani invited His Majesty to unveil a plaque to commemorate the official opening. Grainne Wafer, global gead of Guinness, then presented a folio of historic Guinness advertising and prints of the Brewery’s artwork by Mason London, before His Majesty departed through the Guinness gates.

Nik Jhangiani, interim chief executive, said: “We’re honoured to have His Majesty The King officially open our Guinness Open Gate Brewery London today. Pubs and restaurants are the heartbeat of the hospitality sector and this is a wonderful show of support for the industry at this time.”