Cheers! British Beer Company Now Open

Gary Simon, owner of the British Beer Company, said he and his staff worked all the way up until 3 p.m. to get the new Portsmouth pub open and to his delight there were several people waiting in line to enter the Hanover Street restaurant.

Within minutes, the large mahogany bar with an African lion as its centerpiece was filled with patrons who enjoyed British beers and ales, plenty of great American and British fare and each other's company.

Simon said his 13th British Beer Company pub, which cost $2.5 million to create, is now a Victorian-style English pub that will offer everything from authentic British stouts, bangers and mashed and fish and chips to live music on weekends. There are 37 taps and 50 bottled beers to choose from in addition to a fine selection of wines and a full lunch and dinner menu.

"All of our openings are very similar. When people hear about it and know about it and they want to be the first customers of the British Beer Company," Simon said.

When asked if he has had a chance to reach out to Roger Black, owner of the Coat of Arms Pub, across the street, Simon said he has not done that, but is sure the two British pubs will find a way to harmoniously co-exist.

"I believe that bringing more people to the corner will absolutely be good for everyone," Simon said. "We have never put anyone out of business and we don't try to put anyone out of business."

Simon hopes to reach out to the Coat of Arms and begin a cooperative relationship that will benefit both pubs. "Now that we're open, we'll do the right thing and go over there and shake his hand. We want to be good neighbors," he added.

What follows is a video and some photos of the British Beer Company's opening day. Cheers!