The Morning Advertiser was given a sneak preview on Monday 8 December so you can have a look round via our photo gallery story right here.
The site, which covers 54,000sq ft in Covent Garden, central London, has transformed Old Brewer’s Yard – a site that first brewed beer back more than 300 years ago – into a modern destination celebrating its signature Guinness stout, gastronomy, retail and will also be a place for collaborations with local communities.
Although Guinness stout will not be brewed in London, the experimental brewery – run by master brewer Hollie Stephenson – will focus on a core range of four beers with a couple rotational brews.
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Open Gate Brewery London will have:
- A working microbrewery where master brewer Hollie Stephenson will create limited-edition craft beers and seasonal specials including non-stout varieties and low-alcohol options. Guinness and Guinness 0.0, which will continued to be brewed in Dublin, will also be served.
- Visitors will be able to enjoy a tour of the site and brewery tasting sessions, and a 360-degree digital experience telling the story of Guinness in London.
- Two restaurants led by acclaimed British chef Pip Lacey, showcasing locally sourced British produce and Guinness pairing suggestions.
- A ground-level courtyard bar and eatery in the heart of Old Brewer’s Yard, open to the public for casual dining and community gatherings.
- Two retail stores showcasing exclusive Guinness collaborations, limited-edition and best-selling merchandise and custom experiences.
- A dedicated private-hire event venue for cultural, community and trade events throughout the year.
Critical role
The site expects to welcome more than 20m visitors each year will and serve as the southern UK hub for Diageo’s Learning for Life programme, offering free hospitality training for those looking to build careers in the industry.
Speaking at a press event ahead of the official opening, Diageo managing director GB Barry O’Sullivan said: “London has played a critical role in Guinness’s journey.
“More than 200 years ago the first Guinness was shipped from Dublin to here in London.
“It was in London where the famous Black Velvet cocktail was first born, and it was a British prime minister in London who made one of the earliest recorded references to the now famous pairing of Guinness and Oysters, which is part of our magnificent journey as well.”
He continued: “Fast forward to today and Guinness is one in eight pints in Great Britain and one in seven in London; there’s no doubt the city’s vibrant hospitality sector has played a really critical role in the success of Guinness.
Reflection of confidence
“At the same time, it is no doubt a challenging time for the hospitality sector, so it’s great we can stand here today and express our confidence in London hospitality with a £73m investment in the Open Gate Brewery, not just as an investment in Guinness, but a reflection of confidence in the city, its hospitality trade, and as a touristm destination.”
O’Sullivan also shared hopes the new microbrewery would serve as a community space for locals, adding 250 new jobs had been created by opening new site, which will also focus on training the next generation of hospitality workers.
He said: “We truly believe the Open Gate Brewery will not only give people more of a reason to visit the city, but also create a halo effect to the wider community.
“We’ll also continue Guinness’s long standing tradition in supporting its people and the communities where it operates.”
The Morning Advertiser will be publishing a video story later this week with Open Gate Brewery managing director Jason Thorndycraft and master brewer Hollie Stephenson.
