Guinness to brew in heart of London

Global brewing giant Guinness plans to build a micro-plant in Covent Garden in the heart of London. The plant will cost £73 million, cover 50,000 acres and create 150 jobs.

The brewery is due to open in 2023 and as well as brewing will offer space for tours, events, a store and restaurant. The site will be built on Old Brewer’s Yard where brewing has taken place for 500 years.

A major London brewer, Combe, brewed there in the 19^th century and was famous for its stout. The brewery closed in 1905, seven years after it merged to form Watney Combe Reid. Its stout continued to be brewed for a number of years.

Guinness is part of the international brewing group Diageo and Dayalan Nayager, managing director of Diageo GB, says, “We’re excited to create a new home for Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard. It will strengthen London’s hospitality as a must-see destination for visitors to enjoy.”

Old Brewer’s Yard is owned by the Mercers’ Company and its chief executive Rob Abernethy says, “We have worked closely with Diageo to develop proposals that will restore Old Brewer’s Yard’s historic origins in a contemporary context.”

No details have been given of the types of beer that will be brewed at the new plant but it’s likely stout will feature strongly. Diageo says sales of Guinness in Britain have increased by 30 per cent in recent month and today, it claims, one pint in every 10 sold in London is Guinness.