Experience Glasgow Food & Drink has launched the Glasgow Beer Trail to mark the start of autumn. The new experience is intended to be the ultimate beer lover's tour of Glasgow, giving the chance to connect with the local beer community and discover the city's best-kept craft beer secrets.

The free, self-guided trail takes beer drinkers on a journey through the city's most impressive breweries, independent retailers and rich beer heritage. The ultimate guide features a curated selection of 14 of the city's most outstanding breweries, ranging from iconic institutions like Tennent Caledonian to innovative craft pioneers like Drygate Brewing and Hidden Lane.

Craft beer enthusiasts can also explore the unique offerings of Simple Things Fermentations and satisfy their cravings at top craft beer retailers, such independently-owned, Grunting Growler.

For more information, see Instagram @experienceglasgow

Red Squirrel, Edinburgh

Red Squirrel on Lothian Road is one of Edinburgh's oldest craft beer pubs. It has over 20 craft beers on tap and a large assortment of bottled beer. The majority of its beer comes from Scottish breweries such as Pilot and Edinburgh Beer Factory. Red Squirrel also has a good vegetarian menu.

@redsquirreledinburgh

Innis & Gunn’s West Nile Street Taproom, Glasgow

If you love steak frites and outstanding beer, gather your mates and dates at Innis & Gunn’s West Nile Street Brewery Taproom in Glasgow. The nation’s favourite Scottish brewer is putting its own spin on classic steak frites, offering diners a chance to “have their steak and eat it” for the ultimate midweek treat. For only £19.95 you can enjoy a “chef’s snack” with a sampler of Innis & Gunn Original, followed by 35-day dry-aged, Scottish, tender and flavoursome steak with garlic butter house frites and Innis & Gunn’s signature steak sauce.But here’s the clincher. You can enjoy bottomless fries and roll the dice again with another portion of steak completely free if you’ve got room for more.

@innisandgunnglasgow

The Hanging Bat, Edinburgh

Regarded as the city's headquarter of craft beers, boasting up to 100 types of beers, The Hanging Bat is one of the best places to try out craft beer in the capital. The bottled menu is pretty impressive with sections of farmhouse ales (including fermented sours, lambics and saisons) and strange brews.

The Bat also offers the most recent beers in UK brewing, as well as less popular types like Sam Smith’s fruit beers. If it is your first time trying out craft beer, the staff provide tasters to help you identify the most preferred selection; they include Wild Beer, Kernel, Siren, Thornbridge and Beavertown, among others. Note that the Hanging Bat offers halves and schooner, not pints.

@thehangingbat