King Charles III has been praised for pulling a flawless pint of Guinness during the launch of a major new brewery and visitor attraction in the heart of London.
A Royal Lesson in the Perfect Pour
The monarch received expert tuition behind the bar at the new Guinness Open Gate Brewery London in Covent Garden on Wednesday, 18 December 2025. Guided by Guinness experience ambassador Leo Ravina, Charles was taken through the precise ritual of creating the iconic stout.
He was instructed to hold the glass at a precise 45-degree angle before pulling the pump. The process required stopping when the glass was three-quarters full, allowing the drink to settle before the final top-up – a stage that takes the famous total of 119.5 seconds.
'That's a Perfect Pint of Guinness'
After completing the two-part pour and adding the final drops, Mr Ravina declared the monarch's effort a success. 'That's a perfect pint of Guinness,' he said, to which the King humorously replied, 'if you say so.'
The finished pint was then placed under a special machine where edible dyes printed 'Merry Christmas' and a sprig of holly onto the creamy head, much to Charles's fascination, before he took a sip.
Tasting Session and a New Job Offer
The King's visit also included a tasting of beers from a microbrewery in the building's basement. He sampled a porter, a winter warmer, and an apricot sour, noting that the latter did not taste like a traditional beer.
Clearly impressed by the royal recruit, Leo Ravina joked about the King's new-found skills. 'He did great, that was an ideal pint of Guinness. He's got the job – he's hired,' he said following the event.
The opening of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery London marks a significant addition to the capital's tourism and hospitality scene, offering a new destination for both beer enthusiasts and curious visitors in the historic Covent Garden area.
