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CHEERS! And the Scottish real ale industry can only go from strength to strength, according to C.A.M.R.A’s Scottish director, Colin Valentine. "New breweries are opening up and very few are closing down, so there is obviously enough space for people to make a living," he says. There are
approximately 30 small-scale breweries in
Scotland and between them they produce over 100
real ale beers. So what exactly makes a good real
ale? "Nowadays people like hoppy-type beers, whereas in the past they preferred malty-type beers. They are looking for something more distinctive. "There are a lot of good ales out there and I think we should get out there and drink them." Raise
your glasses as we take a tour round some of
Scotland’s breweries. Traquair House itself is also open to the public. Belhaven
Brewery Orkney Brewery Originally set up 10 years ago to supply beer to the island, Orkney Brewery has expanded so much it now supplies cask, kegs and bottled beers all over Great Britain, Europe and the USA. Founded by Roger White and his wife Irene in 1988, the brewery is situated in an old schoolhouse. Its location, amid the six acres of lakes and grassland of Orkney, means the brewery is run with its own water supply and is very environmentally friendly! The brewery is known for its quality and consistency throughout the UK and has won many prestigious awards with C.A.M.R.A. Favoured brews
include Dark Island, winner of the 1995 Great
British Beer Festival, Skullsplitter, brewed in
celebration of Thorfin Skullsplitter, 7th
Viking Earl of Orkney and Red MacGregor, the most
recent winning recipe. The origins of Heather Ale stretch back as far as 2000 BC when archaeologists discovered a Neolithic shard containing traces of fermented beverage made with heather flowers. However, it wasn’t until 1986, when a Glasgow homebrew shop translated an old family recipe for "Leann fraoich" (heather ale) that Fraoch (heather) Ale was brewed. The philosophy behind Heather Ale Ltd, is to "utilise indigenous resources and produce historic ales", so much so that the range of products has increased and includes Grozet, auld Scots for Gooseberry, Ebulum, Elderberry Black Ale and Alba, Gaelic for Scotland, which is brewed from Scots pine and spruce shoots. The brewery is beginning tours next spring following the opening of a visitor centre. Sulwath Brewers
Ltd The name Sulwath is the ancient name for the Solway estuary, which as well as producing renowned real ales, is also home to migratory seabirds such as geese. The most popular ale produced is Sulwath Criffel, which uses "Nugget" hops with Goldings and "Fuggles" for heightened aftertaste. The also brew The Knockendoch, a darker, copper coloured brew, and JPJ Special Ale, which is available for limited periods only. Being a small family business, Sulwath is extremely adaptable and will also make bespoke brew. Aviemore
Brewery The story of Wolfe is renowned in the area and can be seen in many historical sites around the city, some of which lend their names to the beers. Other ales include bottled beers - Ruthven Ale, Cairngorm Brew, and Red Murdoch. While cask ales include Highland IPA, Cairngorm Brew, Ruthen Brew, Wolfe’s Brew and Wee Murdoch Strathspey brew. Broughton Ales
LTD The ancient recipes are still used with the aid of modern technology to produce exceptional ales and stout of pure quality. Beers include Greenmantle Ale, Merlin’s Ale, Scottish Oatmeal Stout, The Ghillie, Black Douglas and Old Jock. Tennents
Caledonian Brewery Attached to the brewery is the Sty Mungo Heritage Centre which displays an extensive array of brewing equipment used in the production of beer through the years. Here, visitors are guided through the history of Tennents and the Scottish brewing industry. Today, Wellpark Brewery is the only brewery to be found in Glasgow and it still uses traditional materials and methods. Fyfe Brewery The ales they produce include Rope of Sand (3.7%) - so named after Michael Scott, the Wizard of the North, who challenged the devil to plait a rope of sand - Auld Alliance (4%), Lion’s Slayer (4.2%) and Fyfe Fyre (4.8%). Christmas time sees the appearance of a special brew called Cauld Turkey (6%). Tours can be
arranged, but only small groups can be catered
for. Bridge of Allan
Brewery Using the
traditional craft of hand-brewing, all the
brewery’s beers are made in small batches
and conditioned in the cask. This produces a
range of characterful ales, many of which have a
historical theme. Today, head brewer Russell Sharp continues those traditions using original brewers’ equipment with hand selected natural ingredients.The brewery offers a tour which allows visitors to find out more about the unique brewing heritage. The visitor centre, located in the brewery’s original maltings, reveals the secrets behind the crafting of the award-winning ales as well as an insight into stages of brewing ale. And, after the
guided tour, you can relax in the brewery’s
cellar and enjoy a free beer of your choice. The
brewery also organises evening brewery tours and
parties where you can enjoy Scottish ceilidhs and
Scottish food and drink Lugton Inn
& Brewery The brewery produces Red Cuillin, which came third in the Champion Beer of Scotland 1998, as well as being shortlisted in the Premium Ale Category for Champion Beer of Great Britain. Other brews include Young Pretender, winner of the Norfolk Festival, Black Cuillin, Blaven, and Herbridean Gold. There is also a
shop - opened seasonally - which sells souvenirs,
other Scottish beers and country wines. Tours are
available, but phone beforehand. |
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Lynsey Stewart
takes a look at Scotland’s thriving real ale
industry and guides you round some of the
country’s best micro-breweries. Plus,
seasonal specials including "Cauld
Turkey" 