We take our beer seriously in Scotland.
Whilst we’re a country synonymous with whisky, there is a continued thirst for craft beer.
As new breweries continue to pop up in every corner of Scotland with more than 70 breweries operating, the variety and quality of beer and ale being produced in Scotland is greater than ever.
BrewDog, the Ellon-based brewers that started in 2007 as a two-man team, can be credited for instigating a Scottish craft beer revolution, but in the ten years since then an impressive selection of Scottish breweries have followed.
Dalrannoch Brewing
Established one year ago, Dalrannoch Brewing has been making waves in the world of craft beer. A small microbrewery located in the village of Meikleour in Perthshire, what began as a hobby has transformed into an impressive feat of craft brewing.
With a five barrel brewing kit which can produce 820 litres, they produce small batch beers adaptable to the market trends. Using only natural ingredients, they seek to create iconic beers with their own twist. Dalrannoch currently produces a core range of three as well as limited edition and seasonal beers, such as the Stoatin Stout, a hearty ‘meal’ in a glass and Tapetless, their limited edition DIPA, launching soon.
The range of core beers has great appeal, from the Red Skelp, a red ale with amazing aromas, more of a smooth stroke than a skelp. The Manky Blonde is Dalrannoch’s take on a pale session ale, hoppy and fruity. The Blind Growler, despite the sharp Scottish translation, which adorns the bottles of all the beers, is the breweries IPA, a clean and crisp beer with citrusy aromas.
For more information visit www.drinkcraft.co.uk
The Kelburn Brewing Company
A family-run, traditional cask ale brewery, The Kelburn Brewing Company champion quality over quantity.
Established in 2001 and based in the West of Scotland, the team at Kelburn like to drink beers of a high standard and so equally, as suppliers, aim to produce the very same thing.
Sourcing the finest ingredients to use in their beers, their commitment to quality has seen them go from strength to strength over the last 15 years. They have scooped over 60 industry awards throughout their time, including Champion Golden Ale of Britain 2015 for Jaguar, which has gained them a reputable position in the trade.
Their range of traditional ales are available to buy direct from the brewery for home-consumption in bottles and 5L, 10L, 20L containers.
Discover more at www.kelburnbrewery.com
Crossing the Rubicon
Craft beer meets Indian tapas at one of Glasgow West End’s newest casual drinking and dining spots. Opened in October 2016, Crossing the Rubicon has been steadily building a name for itself by continuing to serve up delicious dishes washed down with a carefully curated craft beer menu.
Representing Drygate Brewery, which is the house beer, they boast 18 beer lines and a revolving line up of both beer and curry. The sister pub to Inn Deep and with a wine list handpicked by Valhalla’s Goat, there is no shortage of craft beer knowledge inside.
Championing small curry dishes, diners can share and sample a selection of different flavours, as well as choose between vegetarian, vegan and meat options. The drinks menu is similarly sure to appease many, with beer connoisseurs well catered for and a choice of wines, spirits and fizz completing the menu. A beer garden to the front is the perfect sun trap to enjoy sunny days.
For good food, good beer and a laidback ambience head along to 372 Great Western Road. Find out more and reserve a table by visiting www.crossingtherubicon.com
Islay Ales
Islay Ales is located in Islay House Square and it is from here we produce a range of both cask and bottles conditioned beers (real ale). The beer is neither filtered nor pasteurised prior to being bottled and therefore continues to ferment and mature in the bottle. This process produces sediment in the bottom of the bottle.
We have a 4-barrel plant, producing 1150 pints (640 litres) at a time. Since 2004 we have gone from brewing 4 regular and 2 seasonal ales to now producing 10 regular beers and 3 or 4 “Specials” for the annual Festival of Music and Malt, our busy time! All brewing, casking, bottling and labelling takes place on site.
We welcome visitors to the Brewery from 10.30 to 5.00 Monday to Saturday and are happy to show how the beers are brewed. You can also have a sample as well as purchase the beers. If you are looking for presents or something to remember us by, we have a range of clothing, glasses and other items.
A large number of establishments on Islay take our ales, either in bottle form or on draught so when you visit the island you are sure to be able to find us near to where you are staying.
Islay is famous for its distilleries (and us!) and there is a lot for visitors from around the world to see and do such as walking, bird watching or even visiting the brewery and the distilleries.
Visit www.islayales.com for more information.
Broughton Ales
Broughton Ales, established in 1979 by David Younger and James Collins in Broughton village, is Scotland's original independent microbrewery based in the Scottish Borders.
As the demand for craft beers grew, so did Broughton’s portfolio. Wanting to continue on their microbrewery journey, Broughton shocked the market by introducing the legendary Border characters Old Jock Ale, Merlin’s Ale and the Scottish Oatmeal Stout. Each beer was named after a renowned character from the Scottish Borders. These types of ales blazed a trail for new microbreweries and the campaign for real ale.
Producing traditional cask conditioned beer, bottled beer and keg beer, they use traditional brewing methods to brew classic beers such as Old Jock as well as innovative craft beers such as Hopopotamus - a sessionable, fruit hopped IPA.
Visit www.broughtonales.co.uk
Shilling Brewing Co
Shilling Brewing Co is the first brewpub in the city centre of Glasgow. Our core range includes some familiar favourites while we are constantly experimenting with new styles and brewing techniques to provide a varied range of exciting beer. With our extensive guest range, we aim to showcase the best beer from the best breweries across the world.
Our staff have been selected for their passion for great beer and great customer service. They are constantly learning and developing their knowledge, and with 28 draught lines to choose from, they can find the right beer for anyone. You can keep up to date with the latest changes to our live beer board via the Untappd app.
The open plan kitchen allows you to see your pizza made fresh to order by our experienced chefs. Based on a traditional Neapolitan recipe, they can be prepared, cooked, and at your table in five minutes.
As the city centre’s first and only brewpub it is finally possible to get a pint of good beer in Glasgow. With our brewkit located behind the bar, we are constantly experimenting with different styles and techniques to complement our core range of established favourites.
With over 20 rotational taps we aim to provide the best range of guest beer in the city. We only select the best beer from across the world to offer a choice that is unrivalled in Glasgow.
We believe there is a beer for everyone, but not everyone has found the right one. Our staff have undergone extensive training to be able to help anyone find the right drink for them.
For more information visit www.shillingbrewingcompany.co.uk
Bute Brew Co
Bute Brew Co has been brewing beer on the sunny Isle of Bute in the heart of the Clyde since 2014. Our bottled conditioned beers are brewed, conditioned and bottled on site and we are managing to expand our production to allow us to "export" Bute Brew Co to the mainland.
Our casked beer is enjoyed in many bars and festivals throughout the west coast of Scotland.
Being on an island our blonde/pale beers are named after some of our favourite beaches, with Scalpsie Blonde being a refreshing 3.8% citrus blonde beer and our Straad Ass 4.2% being a golden coloured beer with a beautiful malty body due to the addition of Munich malt.
Our Red is a beautiful caramel and fruity beer and we have just produced a bread beer using unused bread from the island.
We also have a brew bar, yip you can drink the beer right in the brewery, or sit in our beer garden and enjoy our beer with the fantastic pizza and platters, all locally sourced and supplied by Greenfry. It's well worth the 90 min trip (including the 30 min ferry crossing) from the heart of Glasgow. So enjoy our beer out and around the West Coast of Glasgow or come and join us here at the home of Bute Brew Co.
Visit www.butebrewco.co.uk to find out more.
Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen
The Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen Ashton Lane, which opened in April this year, has a wide range of Scottish and international craft beer on offer, as well as fresh tank beer exclusively brewed on site.
They have an onsite craft brewery on the ground floor bar where they brew unpasteurised beers, dispensed from fresh beer tanks on site. They also serve beer from their ‘fruit infuser’ (the first of its kind in Glasgow), which they use to infuse their beers with tasty ingredients - whether it’s watermelon, strawberries, frozen lime or chilli.
From the ground floor bar to the restaurant on the 1st floor, to the speakeasy style bar ‘The Attic’ with live acoustic music, there is a very informal and welcoming atmosphere, with plenty of craft beer, food, wine and cocktails on offer.
For those looking to learn more about the brewing process and recreate some of their favourite beer styles at home they offer exclusive Brewing Experiences, where you can spend a day with the Head Brewer ‘Digger’, who will coach you through the basics on how to brew your own beer, while enjoying lots of tasty beer samples and food. And best of all you will receive a 5 litre mini keg to take home, so your friends and family can try your very own craft beer creation!
For more information check out their Facebook page and website.
The Bier Halle
The Bier Halle are pioneers of Glasgow beer culture who have become famous for their amazing selection of world beers. With over 100 bottles and draught to choose ranging from German Helles to Japanese Ales you're truly spoilt for choice.
Although they stock a good range of Scottish and American craft brews, The Bier Halle argue the original craft breweries are from Belgium, where they have been brewing strong small batch beer for centuries.
Discover more by visiting www.republicbierhalle.com
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