Beer time

ONE of America’s most celebrated brewers will in Edinburgh talking all things beer next month.

Garret Oliver, brewmaster at New York’s Brooklyn Brewery, has been announced as the keynote speaker for the Beer Matters conference.

It takes place at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange hours before the venue stages the second annual Scottish Beer Awards.

More than 200 delegates are expected to attend the conference and trade show, which comes with brewery numbers in Scotland at their highest in around a century.

Mr Oliver, who joined Brooklyn in 1994, said: “It’s exciting to be working with the Beer Matters team on this inaugural event, highlighting the thriving beer industry in Scotland and the brewing talent

that has helped to push it forward.

“There hasn’t been a more exciting time to explore the trends and innovations happening in beer. With collaboration at the heart of what we do at Brooklyn Brewery, I look forward to meeting the people who make up Scotland’s brewing community and bouncing ideas off each other.”

The Herald is the media partner for the beer awards, which are sponsored by Aldi.

Electricity line

STAGECOACH chairman Sir Brian Souter, pictured, was in characteristically chipper form as he presided over the transport giant’s annual general meeting in Perth last week.

Introducing his fellow board members to shareholders at Perth Concert Hall on Friday, he turned to non-executive director Gregor Alexander, finance director of energy giant SSE, and quipped: “If you’re unhappy with your electricity bill you can speak to him!”

Investor appetite

JOHNSTON Carmichael reckons there is a healthy appetite among investors for backing Scottish food and drink companies.

The accountancy firm is hosting a Meet The Food

& Drink Investor event at Scotland House in London on September 4, in partnership with

Scotland Food & Drink and the Scottish Business Network. The occasion will provide an opportunity for guests to meet potential food and drink investors, as well as discuss the opportunities and challenges within the industry.

Johnston Carmichael’s head of food and drink Adam Hardie said: “This is a significant opportunity for Scottish food and drink companies to meet and talk with prospective investors in the industry in an informal forum.”

A good grilling

BACK at the Stagecoach AGM, Sir Brian Souter was impressed with the line of questioning from one shareholder representative.

Asking questions on behalf of his wife, an investor, the attendee enquired whether it was incumbent on directors to purchase shares in the company.

Will Whitehorn, senior independent non-executive director, explained that board members were not expected to buy shares. However he observed

that, “given the current price, I’d encourage them,” to do so.

Sir Brian then chipped in: “I don’t think your wife will be sacking you as her mouthpiece any time soon!”