In a bid to support and promote their industry, eight breweries - including Innis & Gunn and Stewart Brewing - have joined forces and created The Brewers Association of Scotland.

At an inaugural event held at the Scottish Parliament, the new group set out its objectives and launched an industry-wide consultation to capture the size of the sector as well as its growth objectives over the coming 10 years. The Association then set out a route map for the whole sector, hoping to work closely with the Scottish Government and its agencies in its delivery.

TBAS Chairman and founder and CEO of Innis & Gunn, Dougal Sharp, said: "The founder members of TBAS are delighted to have reached this point. The Scottish beer industry is thriving and opportunities abound within Scotland and internationally.

"It is important to our sector, now more than ever, that we have an effective industry body to help us to achieve our individual business aspirations. Until now the industry has had no governing body in Scotland, whereas in other countries where there are similar associations the benefits of such a body are clear. More choice, greater levels of consumer awareness and understanding, high quality, higher growth and levels of business, all underpinned by targeted support from local governmental agencies."

Steve Stewart, owner of Stewart Brewing, added: "The Scottish Brewing Industry is rapidly going through a revolution.  TBAS has been formed to collectively represent, guide, and allow greater collaboration between interested brewers, while setting standards for beer quality, so the Scottish beer can always be showcased at its best.  What's not to like about that!"

The Association aims to deliver a group identity and quality standard for craft brewers across Scotland: artisanal brewers that are predominately Scottish-owned and brew less than 200,000 hectolitres per annum in Scotland or within their group of companies. The key objectives of the Association are founded on seven fundamental principles: quality, promotion, market development, representation, accreditation, innovation and common interest grouping

The founding member breweries are Cairngorm Brewery in Aviemore, Fyne Ales in Argyll, Harviestoun in Alva, Clackmannanshire, Innis & Gunn in Edinburgh, Inveralmond Brewery in Stirling, Stewart Brewing in Edinburgh, WEST in Glasgow and Williams Bros in Alloa.

In the halcyon days of Scottish brewing, there were 280 commercial breweries operating in Scotland.  In the century that followed the number rapidly declined to 36 and the downturn continued well into the late 20th Century.  Now, thanks to the emergence of the craft beer scene, led by the movement in the USA, around 8% of the overall category by value, the industry is enjoying a comeback and Scotland is falling back in love again with real ale.

The TBAS founder breweries employ 246 staff in Scotland between them with a combined turnover latest accounts of over £30m.  The project is being facilitated by the Market Driven Supply Chain Project - jointly funded by the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, and delivered by SAOS, with additional support from The Community Food Fund.

Commenting on the initiative, Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, said: "Craft beer is becoming increasingly popular both at home and abroad and it is great to see Scottish artisan beer in such high demand. In fact, such is the pace of manufacturing growth that more than 60 per cent of brewers in Scotland have been in operation for less than 10 years.

"We now have more than 80 companies making beer - some to accommodate local markets and others which are seeking to be national and international trailblazers.

"It is important that - as the sector expands - those working in this business understand how they can capitalize through collaboration, to make the step changes to create strong, diverse businesses with national and global ambitions. I believe TBAS can make a strong contribution in this regard and I wish them every success. I'm delighted to be speaking to the founders at the Scottish Parliament tonight, during Scotland's Year of Food and Drink, and look forward to seeing the outcome of their consultation."