'I went to Guy Ritchie's London pub - his world-famous beer really hit the spot'

14 July 2023 , 16:00

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The Mirror's Ariane wanted to try out Guy Ritchie's Gritchie Brew for herself (Image: Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz)

When you think of Guy Ritchie, you might picture incredible films like Sherlock Holmes, Snatch, The Covenant or Swept Away, which he masterfully directed. Alternatively, you might know him as Madonna's ex husband. However, his biggest fans will also know him as the owner of two successful London pubs.

The 54-year-old English film director, producer and screenwriter is well-loved for his gangster films, but when he's not working on the latest blockbuster he lives an idyllic life in the Wiltshire countryside, where he brews his own beer, which is served at his Lore of the Land pub in London.

Quite different to the Notting Hill boozer he owns with David Beckham, Lore of the Land is described as a "traditional British pub on Conway Street in Fitzrovia, London". In addition to selling Guy's own 'Gritchie Brew', it also offers seasonal small plates and sharing boards and spans three floors.

The Lore of the Land is located at the foot of the BT Tower in London (Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz)

Guy isn't the first celebrity to dabble in the hospitality sector - Ed Sheeran's Bertie Blossoms restaurant is another example - but when they do, it's always interesting to see what they are bringing to the table.

The father-of-five bought the Lore of the Land pub, which is apparently a firm favourite of the Beckhams, in 2018. Keen to see what sets it apart from other London boozers, I visited on a Wednesday afternoon, seeking cover from the British summer rain.

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The Lore of the Land, located at the base of the BT Tower, isn't your typical modern, glitzy gastropub which you might expect in central London. Its Victorian style made me feel like I'd stepped into the world of Sherlock Holmes himself. The rustic bar area is undeniably beautiful, with an impressive selection of drinks, including every Gritchie Brew you could desire.

It stands out from the modern surrounding pubs (Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz)

There's even a 'dog beer' tap outside (Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz)

The atmosphere hit me as soon as I stepped past the "dog beer" tap on the way in. Apart from a few occupied tables, it wasn't busy, and it made me feel calm and relaxed straight away. There was some background music and faint chatter, but it's the perfect escape from the busy London streets.

New to the world of solo drinking, I picked one of the tables at the back of the pub, under a giant skylight which is almost the only natural light you'll see, brightening up the otherwise dimly lit, but incredibly cosy venue.

While the pub certainly doesn't look polished, it still feels clean and intentional in its vintage feel - think mismatched wooden tables and flooring, old paintings and beautiful marble.

Floor manager Alex Myszka at the beautiful bar (Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz)

If you weren't visiting with the knowledge that Guy owns this boozer, it wouldn't strike you immediately walking in - unless you were very observant, or someone behind the bar told you.

It's very much a bar first, although all the Gritchie Brew taps are a giveaway. I witnessed this myself, as when someone on a table nearby to me sat down they told the person they were with: "Guess who owns this pub? Guy Ritchie. I had no idea. He brews the beer at his estate."

According to floor manager Alex Myszka, the man himself does visit from time to time and some lucky fans will spot him sitting with his family, eating, drinking and soaking in the atmosphere - but you won't find him behind the bar pulling a pint.

He also tells me that tourists come from all around the world to try his Gritchie beer, making me very excited to try it out for myself. He even recalls someone coming from Australia to try every single beer in one session.

People come from all over the world to see the bar and try his Gritchie Brew (Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz)

All the dishes looked incredible, but I went for the mackerel (Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz)

While it's definitely a tourist destination, there are also people who come who don't know the pub is owned by Guy, and simply head in because of its reputation or inviting exterior.

I wast most excited to try Gritchie Brew, which is made from Maris Otter malt barley harvested from the fields nearby his Salisbury property, as well as local water sourced beneath the ground of the land. The Gritchie Brewing Company offers a selection of Pale Ales, Lagers and IPAs. After asking for a recommendation from the bartender, I opted for Session Lore, which I'm told is citrusy and easy to drink.

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The pub looks newly refurbished, while giving off a Victorian aesthetic (Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz)

The menu is incredibly impressive, if a little on the pricey side, but that is expected for fresh and local produce in central London. Avoiding the more expensive dishes, I went for the torched Cornish mackerel, pickled cucumber salad, chive and buttermilk dressing. A tiny, but nonetheless delicious portion for £10.50.

The Session Lore, with "notes of grapefruit and lemon zest" is absolutely delicious and right up my street - and I can see what the hype is about. The mackerel tasted fresh and flavoursome, but isn't something I'd normally go for at lunchtime. I realised too late they actually also do bar snacks like sausage roll and spiced lamb scotch egg, which I will definitely be back for.

Have you visited the Lore of the Land? Let us know in the comment section below.

Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz