History of
the brewery

Guinness Open Gate Brewery London marks a full circle moment that brings brewing back to the heart of the city. You can hear the history of Guinness Open Gate Brewery London in the chatter pierced by clinks of pint glasses toasting - it’s a continuation of a brewing story that started here way back in the 1700s.

It stands on what was once Combe & Co., an 18th-century brewing powerhouse. Combe & Co. was a central figure in Covent Garden’s booming brewing district, which exploded in the wake of the newfound ‘porter’ beer. A brewing revolution which played an integral role in the Guinness story.

Founder Arthur Guinness originally had his sights set on brewing ale until the London porter began making a mark on Dublin. Inspired by the new tipple, Arthur set to work on his own version of the porter at St James’s Gate, experimenting until he struck upon the Guinness recipe we know and love today. Soon enough, pints of the black stuff were served up beside London’s porters as imports to the UK started in 1796. Later down the line in 1901, Guinness Extra Stout was bottled right here on site under Combe, Watney and Reid.

BREWING BEGINNINGS

The first reference to "a Brewhouse in Wood Yard, Long Acre" can be found way back in December 1719 amongst the column inches of old newspapers - and that's where our story begins.

John Shackley, a freeman of the Brewer's Company and a timber merchant, founded the small brewhouse on a former timber yard, suitably called 'Wood Yard'. After his death in 1722, a series of successors took the brewery to greater heights. First, his son and then a former clerk named William Gifford, who reportedly died immensely rich in 1762.

By the end of the century, the brewery was rolling out 81,000 barrels annually under the control of Gifford's widow, Ann.

A ROYAL WELCOME

Wood Yard was sold to a partnership including the well-known merchant Harvey Christian Combe in 1787. Under the new name Combe & Co. and its owner's quick-witted business acumen, the brewery became a staple of London's porter brewing boom. Being at the helm of a new brewing powerhouse, Combe's name rose within the elite circles of the city. He was elected Sheriff, Alderman and Lord Mayor of London in the 1790s.

Around the same time, Combe's famous royal brewhouse dinners, hosted on site, became the stuff of legend. On tablecloths made of hop sacks, cuts of the finest steak were served sizzling on malt shovels to Royalty, Dukes and Whig Politicians. Combe's brewing team used the fiery stokeholes of the brewery to cook up the feast. As the tale goes, the Prince of Wales once sat among the esteemed guests. A tour of the brewery often followed the feast before the party moved to Combe's house in Bloomsbury for further frivolities.

A NEW ERA OF BREWING

The opening of the home of Guinness in London brings brewing back into the heart of the city, ensuring the lively, creative spirit of the brewery continues. Hallmarks of its brewing past still stand today. Observe the tall arched windows, iron columns and brick-arched basements across the hub, boasting elegant Georgian and Victorian designs. 

The brewing team at Guinness Open Gate Brewery London is ushering in a new era of brewing honouring the traditions that were pioneered by Arthur Guinness and the historical operations at Combe & Co. With the new frontier of beer flavours the team are brewing and a keen focus on sustainability on site, Guinness Open Gate Brewery London is a celebration and continuation of a fascinating past with an eye on an exciting future.