We love our beer in Scotland. Whilst we're synonymous with whisky, the quality craft brewers that have popped up in the last 10 years prove we're no one trick pony. 

So hop to it and find out the Scottish craft beer brewers putting the country on the map...

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Harviestoun Brewery

BEFORE THERE WAS CRAFT THERE WAS HARVIESTOUN…

For the last 35 years, the independent brewery has been obsessively experimenting in the pursuit of perfection and their story is one of continuous innovation. They have always challenged expectations, which has driven them to create category defining beers. From maturing the beers in world-famous whisky casks in the foothills of Scottish mountains, to sourcing wild local ingredients.

The Herald:

In fact, they have been doing just about anything that means they can explore the many possibilities of their craft, to produce delicious beers time and time again.

They are one of the pioneers of barrel ageing, brewing with US hops, craft lager, craft beer in keg and craft brewing techniques.

They expertly hand-brew ground breaking, quality, multi award-winning beers to be enjoyed across the globe.

Their beers are enjoyed in over 20 countries around the globe and the range has won accolades such as World’s Best Lager – Schiehallion, World’s Best Ale – Bitter & Twisted, World’s Best Porter – Old Engine Oil, World’s Best Speciality Dark Ale Ola Dubh 40yo, UK’s Best Wood Aged Beer – Ola Dubh 12yo.

The Herald:

Together with their incredible brewers, our ingredients allow us to brew these amazing beers, using only full cone hops and their own unique yeast, which is so important in the brewing process. The water is from a natural source - perfect for brewing - and the malt is sourced from within 10 miles of the brewery.

Today, Harviestoun Brewery stand proudly at the foot of the Ochil Hills where they continue to hand brew iconic and flavour packed beers that they believe continue to set the standard for quality as the craft category develops.

Visit us at harviestoun.com to find out more about the range of lovingly crafted beers and discover why they are masters of the craft...

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Sulwath Brewers
 

From small beginnings in early 1996, Sulwath has firmly put Dumfries & Galloway on the real ale map; with a loyal band of beer fans, numerous awards and plaudits for its brews.

All Sulwaths ales are made and put into casks or bottled on the premises, with visitors able to sample the beers in the brewery reception and bar area.

Fully licensed, the visitor centre is open Monday to Saturday, with tours available on Mondays and Fridays.

The Herald:

Using different blends of hops and barley malts to create the distinct taste of each Sulwath ale, all the beers are made to exacting and labour intensive-standards, to ensure consistency of taste.
The main beers are Criffel Ale, which is an India Pale Ale and is the brewery’s original ale; Cuil Hill, a pale amber, light and refreshing session ale; and Knockendoch, a dark copper coloured beer, reflecting an increased roasted malt content. Other popular beers include Galloway Gold, a lager, Tri-ball Tribute, a refreshing Blonde ale, The Grace, which is a light coloured mild, and the robust porter/stout, The Black Galloway.

The Herald:

From small beginnings, they have worked hard to make Sulwath a success and thoroughly enjoy what they do, sharing their passion with other real ale enthusiasts.

They have a good solid mix of tourists and local people who come to the brewery on a regular basis. On a Saturday afternoon it can be standing room only, creating a really nice atmosphere.

Visit Sulwath Brewers Ltd, The Brewery, King Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1DT, call 01556504525 or head to www.sulwathbrewers.co.uk

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Keith Brewery & Spey Valley Brewery

Two Speyside breweries have announced their merger. Both Keith Brewery Ltd. and Spey Valley Brewery will continue to brew their own beers and will keep their own premises, identity and branding but will look to share expenditure where possible.

The Herald:

Andrew Chapman, Director of Sales & Marketing at Keith Brewery Ltd, said “With the two breweries only five miles apart, the merger seems an obvious solution to reduce the duplication of costs across various departments in both businesses.

"There were a lot of synergies across both companies and it is hoped that both breweries can provide missing pieces of the puzzle to each other, such as staffing, bottling and kegging facilities, storage and logistics.”

David MacDonald, Founder of Spey Valley Brewery, added “There has been a great relationship between the two breweries for many years and this move formalises that. It allows both to take advantage of cross selling opportunities with our existing customers and gives us time to work on developing new business that would have been difficult to achieve working independently.

It will also allow the brewers at both premises to share knowledge, information and best practise techniques, which is essential when producing the best beer possible.”

The Herald:

The merger follows on from the success of both breweries in 2017, with Keith Brewery Ltd’s coffee stout (Stout Keith, 5% ABV) becoming the only Scottish beer to receive the maximum 3* from The Great Taste Guide and Spey Valley’s bitter ale (David’s Not So Bitter, 4.4% ABV) winning Best British Style Beer at the Scottish Beer Awards. Spey Valley are also shortlisted in 3 categories for the 2018 Scottish Beer Awards.

The merger has also seen an expansion across the executive management team with Tony Schofield, formerly of Pernod Ricard, joining as Group CEO.  There are also ongoing plans to look at the purchase and acquisition of other breweries and on trade premises across Scotland.

Visit www.keithbrewery.co.uk or www.speyvalleybrewery.co.uk to find out more. 

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Isle Of Skye Brewing
 

One evening in 1992 in a local pub, conversation turned to the lack of good beer on Skye. This prompted a joke, suggesting that the only remedy would be to set up a brewery. This must be the solution, right?

Three years later, in 1995, we brewed our first ales – Red Cuillin and Black Cuillin. We always knew that these were to be our first two ales - named after the two mountain ranges on the island. They were such a success, we still brew them to the same recipes today. The only difference? The names have changed – we now call them Skye Red and Skye Black.

The Herald:

The choice of names behind our beers are laden with meanings. For instance, the name of our Young Pretender beer was decided upon for its historic associations. Firstly, and most obviously, it was first brewed in 1995, which was the 250th anniversary of the 1745 rebellion. This was the rebellion in which Bonnie Prince Charlie (known as The Young Pretender) attempted to gain the British crown. It was Bonnie Prince Charlie’s historic association with Skye which led us to create our Young Pretender beer.

The Herald:

Our Young Pretender ale has went on to win numerous awards – ‘Champion Bitter of Scotland 2016’ and finalist at Great British Beer Festival 2017. However, don’t be fooled, it’s not just Young Pretender winning all the awards. In 1997, way back when, we won the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Champion Beer of Scotland and we were shortlisted for the UK championship too. To date, we’ve picked up over 60 awards…and counting. Not bad for what started as a joke over a few pints.

Visit skyeale.com or www.facebook.com/IsleofSkyeBrewing/ to find out more. 

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Loch Lomond Brewery

Loch Lomond Brewery are celebrating 7 years in business later this year, but whilst they can look back fondly at their any achievements, it is the future where they are firmly focused.

Having won a huge number of brewery accolades in the last 3 years including 4 Champion Beer of Scotland titles and Supreme cask Champion for the UK in 2016, Loch Lomond Brewery are charging on in terms of sales with turnover expected close to £1million this financial year.

The Herald:

“Meeting demand was always going to be an issue” says Fiona Maceachern, Managing Director, “We are seeing dramatic increases in our existing retail and export markets, with many new opportunities coming online soon”.

Loch Lomond Brewery chose to crowdfund to raise the funds necessary to meet that demand by buying larger brewing equipment. Having achieved their target and presently overfunding they can now look forward to another target in 2020 when they realise a lifelong ambition to have their own brewtap and visitor centre on the shores of Loch Lomond, capitalizing on a brewing tourism and the huge numbers of visitors to the area each year.

The Herald:

“Knowing that we can continue with our sales growth now we have the funding needed for production, we can also look forward to our new facility closer to the loch” advises Euan Maceachern, Head Brewer and co-founder “We are really looking forward to the next 7 years!”

To find out more visit www.lochlomondbrewery.com or follow Loch Lomond Brewery on Facebook

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Merchant City Brewing Co.
 

A Glasgow based craft brewer, which started production last year, plans to invest in expansion as it targets the UK and overseas markets. 
The Merchant City Brewing Co. was founded in November 2016 by Douglas Wheatley and Allan Rimmer, its head office is in The Italian Centre in the Merchant City and it started production at its brewery in the Maryhill area of Glasgow last September after it appointed Adam Grey as head brewer. 

The Herald:
The Merchant City Brewing Co. also has plans for a pop-up pub in shipping containers at Osborne Street in the centre of Glasgow. 
The brand is now available in more than 100 outlets including Majestic Wines, Good Spirits Vo and Peckham’s, two wholesale distribution listings have also been secured and Aldi supermarket is taking its products. 
It has recently been shortlists in three business and six beer categories in the Aldi Scottish Beer Awards. 


The company’s core products include Vienna Lager, American Pale Ale, IPA, Unit 1 Red Ale and Light Ale. Small batches are also produced such as, kiwi & lime and huell melon kettle sour. 
The company has also produced own label bottles for special events such as the Glasgow Short Film Festival which it sponsored. It is involved in a number of festivals and events over the summer months, including the Merchant City Festival. 


As well as offering its own branded products, the firm found a brewery for sale in Devon and bought its intellectual property, including its Big Rabbit Brew brand of beers, and equipment and brought it to Glasgow.

Find out more on the Facebook page or visit www.merchantcitybrewing.com

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Shilling Brewing Company

Shilling Brewing Co. is the first to bring the brewpub experience to the heart of Glasgow. A place where an appreciation of the art and science of brewing is at the core of what we do and for all to see, taste and enjoy.

The Herald:
Glasgow has been pioneering the perfect pint for over 400 years and the Shilling Brewing Co. is contributing to the next chapter in this story by creating a space where everyone can discover and appreciate beer, straight from the source.

The Herald:
This includes their core range of beers designed to be enjoyed fresh, just meters from where they are brewing, alongside a host of beers sourced from pioneering craft breweries.
Their core brew are Unicorn IPA, Grasgow Red and Black Star Teleporter.
Visit www.shillingbrewingcompany.co.uk or follow them on Facebook

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