GUINNESS COVENT GARDEN: FROM ANNOUNCEMENT TO FIRST PINT - OUR DEEP DIVE INTO LONDON'S NEW BREWERY

Dec 14, 2025

When the news first broke back in June 2024 about the opening of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Covent Garden, it felt like a monumental event on the horizon. We initially covered the £73 million investment and the ambition of creating a world-class brewing experience in the historic Old Brewer's Yard. Now, London finally has a spectacular new Guinness brewery!

The wait is officially over. The doors opened to the public on Thursday, December 11, 2025, solidifying the Guinness Covent Garden experience. We immediately secured a spot to bring you a full, in-depth review of the entire 54,000 sq ft new brewery venue. We saw everything: from the working microbrewery and the exclusive retail shop to the Gilroy’s Loft restaurant, where we dedicated ourselves to the celebrated oyster and Guinness pairing.

Hopping off the bustle of Covent Garden and into the alleyway just 2 minutes away feels like stepping into Dublin. It’s here, surrounded by historic brick and modern signage, that Guinness has firmly planted its flag. This new brewery is a working microbrewery dedicated to innovation right here in London.

The Welcome and The Perfect Guinness Pour

The entrance, flanked by imposing black doors bearing the iconic harp, is immediately striking. The courtyard, a true taste of Guinness Covent Garden, opens into a bustling outdoor drinking area where you can socialise and enjoy a pint.

The question on every purist's lips is always about the quality of the classic stout. We are happy to report that the Guinness served at the new brewery is on par with the best you can find in London. The pour itself was superb. It held its shape perfectly, achieving the ideal surge and settling into a creamy dome. Critically, it passed the tilt test flawlessly, proving the classic stout is expertly maintained and served here.

Beyond the Gates: Brewing, Retail, and The Tour

While the classic stout continues to be brewed in Dublin, the London site of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery is dedicated to innovation and experimentation.

The Tour Experience

The tour offers a fantastic deep dive into the new brewery's operation. Guests can choose from a guided tour of the microbrewery, getting a real look inside the Guinness Covent Garden operation. The tour highlights the site's history in the Old Brewer's Yard, which has been a brewing site for over 300 years. You learn about the micro-brewing process where Master Brewer Hollie Stephenson crafts limited-edition beers, including everything from non-stout IPAs and porters to sours and lagers. Following the tour, you can often enjoy a tasting flight of these exclusive brews. For those interested in the classics, there's also the "Pour Your Own Pint" experience.

Exclusive Retail

No visit to the new Guinness brewery is complete without a stop at one of the two retail shops. The merchandise includes classic Guinness apparel and high-end, limited-edition collaborations, such as the exclusive Guinness x Lazy Oaf collection.

The Experimental Beer Line-up

The microbrewery's commitment to innovation is clear in the sheer breadth of the brews we tasted at Gilroy's on the 5th floor. While the classic stout is perfect, the experimental line-up offers incredible variety. Our favourite of the bunch was the Piazza Pale Ale, a superb drop that allows for easy drinking. Other beers included:

Guinness 7.2 (Classic Stout)
Guinness 0.0% (Non-Alc Stout)
Guinness Brewer's Yard Porter
Lyrical Lager
Session IPA
Amber Table Beer
Triple Berry Ale
Hazy IPA
Belgian-style Wit
Dark Lager
Apricot Sour

The Culinary Experience: Three Distinct Dining Destinations

The food and drink offerings at the new brewery are the pinnacle of the visit, overseen by acclaimed British Executive Chef Pip Lacey. The complex features three distinct dining spaces, all designed to showcase locally sourced British produce and inventive Guinness pairings.

1. Gilroy’s Loft (Fifth Floor Seafood Restaurant)

The highlight of our visit was the sensory experience at Gilroy’s Loft, the premium rooftop dining space on the fifth floor. This restaurant focuses on British and Irish coastal cuisine, with a stunning 20-cover oyster bar. The main theme here is the perfect pairing of Guinness and oysters.

We indulged in their exceptional oyster flight, a necessary experience at the Guinness Covent Garden venue:

Jersey: Creamy and briny oysters from the Channel Islands, with a crisp mineral finish (our favourite oyster of the day by a mile).
Achill Rock Oyster: Firm and meaty with bright Atlantic brine, clean minerality, and a sweet, lasting finish.
Kelly No.3: Oysters from the Irish coast with a sweet, salty balance.

2. The Porter’s Table (Ground Floor Communal Dining)

Located on the ground floor of the new brewery, The Porter’s Table is a more relaxed space dedicated to communal feasting and sharing. The menu offers generous plates of classic cuts of native-bred meats and fish, all spotlighting the best of British produce.

3. Old Brewer’s Yard Courtyard Bar & Pies

The ground-level courtyard bar offers a casual, walk-in socialising experience for the Covent Garden crowd where you go up to a van. Here, you can enjoy a perfect Guinness alongside hand-crafted pies created by renowned pastry chef Calum Franklin. The menu features classics like braised beef cheek and Guinness pie, baked fresh on-site every day.

Our Verdict!

After covering the news of the opening and following the project's progress since our June 2024 report, we can confidently say: the wait for the Guinness Open Gate Brewery is absolutely worth it.

This new brewery is more than a visit; it’s a world-class hospitality destination and a serious contribution to the London craft beer scene. It successfully marries the rich heritage of the Guinness brand with a modern, experimental edge. The comprehensive experience—from the microbrewery tours to the three distinct dining concepts and the assurance of a perfect pint—firmly establishes this as one of Covent Garden's must-visit sites. Our taste test confirmed that the classic Guinness is on par with the best in London, and the inventive microbrews ensure there are plenty of reasons to return.

Go for the classic Guinness and the perfect pour, but stay for the revolutionary beer and the stunning seafood in Gilroy's Loft.