(Courtesy Diageo / Guinness)

Guinness is officially brewing beer in London again.

And on December 11^th, the iconic Irish stout maker opened a new brewery and taproom in the United Kingdom, marking its return to England more than 70 years after it closed its last London brewing operation.

“This marks a proud moment for Diageo and Guinness in Britain,” Barry O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Diageo Great Britain, told the Irish Post. “London has played a critical role in Guinness’ success throughout its history, and two centuries after the black stuff arrived in the UK capital, one in seven pints poured in the city is now a Guinness.

Located in Covent Garden, Guinness Open Gate at Old Brewer’s Yard is less about mass production and more about experimentation, hospitality, and reconnecting with drinkers in one of the world’s most influential beer cities.

And unlike the sprawling industrial brewery at St. James’s Gate in Dublin, the London site is intentionally small.

Guinness says the brewery will focus on small-batch beers, limited releases, and collaborative brews that won’t necessarily be available anywhere else. While the classic Guinness Draught remains brewed in Ireland, the London team has room to play with styles, ingredients, and formats that go beyond the familiar pint of stout.

(Courtesy Diageo / Guinness)

And the space itself blends old and new…

Housed in a historic brewing courtyard, the facility includes a working brewery, a taproom pouring fresh Guinness alongside experimental beers, and a kitchen serving food designed to pair with what’s on tap. It’s meant to be a destination as much as a production site, aimed at locals, tourists, and beer fans looking for something a little different from the standard pub experience.

For Guinness, the move reflects a broader strategy.

Big global beer brands are increasingly leaning into smaller, more localized projects to stay relevant in markets shaped by craft beer culture and changing consumer tastes. London, with its deep brewing history and modern beer scene, offers a high-profile stage for that approach.

There’s also a bit of symbolism at play…

Guinness first brewed in London in the 18th century before shifting focus back to Ireland. Opening a brewery here again ties the brand’s past to its future, while acknowledging that beer drinkers today expect more than just heritage—they want freshness, variety, and a sense of place.

The London site is the fourth Guinness Open Gate Brewery to open globally, including the original Guinness Storehouse at St James’ Gate in Dublin. Guinness also has two smaller brewing operations in US, Guinness Open Gate – Baltimore and Guinness Open Gate – Chicago.

Whether the new brewery becomes a must-visit spot that its operation in Dublin is, remains to be seen, but for now, Guinness brewing in London again feels significant.

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