During the visit, The King toured the 54,000sq ft site alongside Open Gate Brewery London managing director Jason Thorndycraft and master brewer Hollie Stephenson, tasting a selection of beers produced on site including Old Brewer’s Yard Porter, Winter Warmer and an Apricot Sour.
A royal pint
In the venue’s 232° Bar, named after the temperature at which barley is roasted for Guinness, The King was guided through pouring a pint of Guinness and took part in a demonstration of printing a festive message onto the head of the beer.
The Open Gate Brewery London will serve as the southern hub for Diageo’s Learning for Life hospitality training programme.
During the visit, The King met recent graduates now working in the sector, as well as a graduate of The King’s Foundation Introduction to Hospitality programme.
The visit also highlighted the site’s wider cultural and community ambitions. The King met local businesses, community groups and artist Mason London, who created a 30ft mural in Old Brewer’s Yard depicting Covent Garden’s brewing and social history.
Food offer
Food suppliers from the brewery’s restaurants were also introduced, including oysters from Gilroy’s Loft and produce used across the site’s hospitality offer.
The official opening concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque alongside Diageo chairman Sir John Manzoni and interim chief executive Nik Jhangiani.
Jhangiani said the royal visit was a strong endorsement of hospitality.
“Pubs and restaurants are the heartbeat of the hospitality sector and this is a wonderful show of support for the industry at this time,” he said.
The Morning Advertiser (The MA) recently previewed the Guinness Open Gate Brewery ahead of its opening, exploring the site’s experimental microbrewery, bars, restaurants, retail spaces and event facilities.
