King Charles visited the newly opened Guinness Open Gate Brewery
in London’s Covent Garden this week, marking his first public
engagement since revealing encouraging news about his cancer
treatment. The £73 million site, a major addition to the London
visitor landscape, combines a microbrewery, restaurants, shops and
events space, and will serve as the UK southern hub for Diageo’s
award-winning Learning for Life hospitality programme.
The King was welcomed on arrival by Diageo Chairman Sir John
Manzoni before being taken on a tour of the brewery, where he met
the team behind the site’s unique seasonal brews. Led by Master
Brewer Hollie Stephenson, His Majesty sampled several creations,
including the Old Brewer’s Yard Porter, Winter Warmer, and an
Apricot Sour, before trying his hand at pouring a Guinness under
expert guidance.
His pint-pulling trainer, Leo Ravina, praised the monarch’s
technique, declaring he had poured a “perfect pint.” The King,
however, responded with characteristic humility: “If you say so,”
while wiping away a frothy moustache. He was also shown how images
could be printed onto the foam using beetroot or carrot juice,
though he appeared less convinced by the novelty.
The brewery’s 232 Bar, named for the temperature at which barley
is roasted to achieve Guinness’s signature flavour, hosted a
festive reception for local community groups and young hospitality
trainees enrolled in the Learning for Life programme and The King’s
Foundation Introduction to Hospitality course. Nik Jhangiani of
Diageo highlighted the importance of the royal visit: “Pubs and
restaurants are the heartbeat of the hospitality sector and this is
a wonderful show of support for the industry.”
The King’s visit drew the attention of passersby, and despite
persistent drizzle, he ventured outside to greet shoppers, shaking
hands and wishing them a “Merry Christmas.” Carol singers and
members of the public were treated to playful exchanges, including
a joke about moonlighting from the Royal Opera House.
The brewery, London’s fourth Guinness Open Gate site following
Dublin, Baltimore and Chicago, occupies the historic Combe & Co.
premises, a key site in Covent Garden’s 18th-century brewing
district. Guinness exports to London date back to 1796, and today
one in seven pints poured in the city is a Guinness. The site also
commemorates the brand’s rich heritage, including a mural by artist
Mason London in the Old Brewer’s Yard.
Among the other guests at the Christmas-themed event was film
director Gurinder Chadha, whose modern adaptation of A
Christmas Carol, titled Christmas Karma, celebrates
compassion and multicultural communities. Chadha revealed that the
King had requested a copy to watch at Sandringham over the festive
season.
The visit underscored His Majesty’s ongoing support for both the
hospitality industry and community engagement, combining tradition,
innovation and festive cheer in a first-of-its-kind royal brewery
outing.
