Scotland's Favorite Beer: A Cultural Drinking Guide

Scotland has a long history of brewing beer, dating back to the Neolithic period. Today, there are over 100 breweries across the country, with Edinburgh and Glasgow being notable hotspots for craft beer. Scottish beer has developed its own unique character, with hops used sparingly and a shilling designation system for pricing beers. One of the most popular beers in Scotland is Tennent's Lager, affectionately known as The Big Juicy by locals. Other popular Scottish beers include Belhaven Best, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, and BrewDog's Elvis Juice.

Scottish beer history

Brewing in Scotland has a long history, dating back to the Neolithic period. It is believed that ancient Scots brewed ale from barley at sites like Skara Brae, flavoured with meadowsweet and herbs such as heather, myrtle, and broom. This tradition of brewing continued and evolved over the centuries, with women, known as "broustaris" or alewives, and monasteries playing a significant role in the development of the craft.

In the 16th century, Aberdeen was home to over 150 female brewers, a notable contrast to London, where only 40% of brewers were men. The formation of the Edinburgh Society of Brewers in 1598 marked the beginning of more organised commercial brewing in Scotland, following the Reformation in the 1560s.

The 18th century saw the emergence of renowned Scottish brewers such as William Younger, Robert & Hugh Tennent, and George Younger, who established themselves after the Acts of Union in 1707. Lower taxes on beer and malt gave Scottish brewers a financial advantage, stimulating the industry. Edinburgh and Alloa, in particular, became renowned for their beer exports during this time.

The 19th century brought further developments, with the emergence of the shilling system for labelling beer. This system, unique to Scotland, indicated the invoice price and strength of the beer, with higher-priced beers having a higher alcohol content. The mid-19th century also marked the shift from using herbs to hops in the brewing process, bringing Scotland in line with the rest of Britain.

By the mid-19th century, Edinburgh had established itself as a leading brewing centre, with forty breweries and a thriving export trade. The success of Edinburgh's brewers, such as Robert Disher, with his hoppy Edinburgh Pale Ale, contributed to this reputation.

Today, Scotland continues to produce a diverse range of beers, with innovative breweries like BrewDog leading the craft ale movement. Traditional styles, such as Scotch ales and Wee Heavy, remain popular, while new flavours and techniques, such as ageing beers in bourbon barrels, reflect the evolving nature of Scottish brewing.

Popular Scottish beers

Scotland has a long history of brewing beer, dating back to the Neolithic period. Today, there are over 100 breweries across the country, with many new and innovative breweries popping up, particularly in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Scotland's most popular beer is Tennent's Lager, also known as "The Big Juicy" by locals. This lager is a staple in Scottish drinking culture and can be found in most pubs across Scotland. It is brewed in the heart of Glasgow and is one of the country's oldest ongoing businesses, founded by brothers Hugh and Robert Tennent.

Belhaven Best

A session ale with tasting notes of toffee and caramel, Belhaven Best is a well-balanced and easy-going pint. The Belhaven Brewery, located in Dunbar, is Scotland's largest and oldest surviving independent brewery, dating back to 1719.

Pilot, Peach Melba Sour

Pilot is a Leith-based brewery founded in 2011 that produces a wide variety of unique beers. Their Peach Melba Sour is an iconic beer in Edinburgh pubs, pairing perfectly with a packet of Cheese and Onion McCoys crisps.

Williams Bros, Fraoch Heather Ale

This ale is made using a 4,000-year-old recipe, featuring bittersweet herbs favoured by the Celts. Williams Bros is a brewery situated in the central lowlands of Scotland, run by two brewing brothers.

Dark Island, Orcadian Ale

Brewed by The Orkney Brewery, this ale has hints of dark chocolate, dates, nuts, and fruity and roast coffee aromas. It has a bitter taste and their Dark Island Reserve beer has won awards in London.

Fyne Ales, Jarl

Fyne Ales is a family-run brewery based in the Scottish Highlands next to Loch Fyne. Jarl is their flagship session blonde ale, with a crisp, light flavour that makes it a perfect summer drink.

Caledonian Deuchars IPA

Before the term "craft ale" became popular, Deuchars IPA was the beer that new breweries aspired to emulate. It has a distinctive husky, bready malt flavour and an honest bitterness that drifts along with the malt.

BrewDog, Elvis Juice

BrewDog is a well-known Scottish brewery that has conquered the world. Their Elvis Juice is an American IPA that has been at the forefront of the trend for grapefruit-infused booze, widely available in supermarkets.

Harviestoun, Ola Dubh 12

Whisky meets beer in this luxurious Scottish mash-up. Ola Dubh 12 is a thick black liquid with toasty chocolate flavours and restrained whisky notes of oak, smoke and leather. It is brewed by Harviestoun and matured in oak sherry casks that previously held Highland Park 12-year-old single malt.

Scottish craft beer

Brewing in Scotland dates back 5,000 years, with ale made from barley at Skara Brae and other Neolithic sites. Today, Scotland is home to a thriving craft beer scene, with new and innovative breweries popping up across the country. Here's a closer look at Scottish craft beer and some of the top breweries to watch:

One notable Scottish craft brewery is Williams Bros, which produces the Fraoch Heather Ale. This ale is crafted using a 4,000-year-old recipe, featuring bittersweet herbs favoured by the Celts. The result is a soft, caramel-tinted malt flavour with floral and herbal notes. Another historic brewery is Belhaven Brewery, founded in 1719 in Dunbar, a small fishing village in East Lothian. Belhaven Best, their flagship session ale, offers tasting notes of toffee and caramel, making it a well-balanced and easy-drinking pint.

In addition to these established names, a host of new breweries are making their mark. Tempest Brewing Co., founded in Galashiels, has quickly risen to prominence, winning the Scottish Beer Awards' "Brewery of the Year" accolade. Their Elemental Dark Ale is a classic porter with smooth roasted malts, chocolate and coffee notes, and a hint of spice. Another rising star is the Edinburgh Beer Factory, which crafts the Paolozzi Lager, a delicious Munich helles-style lager named after the artist Eduardo Paolozzi.

For those seeking unique flavours, Vault City Brewing offers a range of modern sour beers, heavily fruited and with creative combinations like Pear Drops, Mango Lassi, and Donut Duo. Pilot, a Leith-based brewery founded in 2011, also stands out for its commitment to sustainability and innovative flavours, such as their Peach Melba Sour, inspired by the classic dessert.

Scotland's craft beer scene is vibrant and diverse, with breweries both old and new pushing the boundaries of flavour and style. Whether you're a fan of traditional ales or experimental sours, Scottish craft breweries have something to offer, reflecting the rich history and innovative spirit of Scottish brewing culture.

Beer and food pairings

Bitter IPAs with Salads

Pair a crisp and bitter IPA like Tempest Brew Co.'s Brave New World with a goat's cheese salad. The bitter and slightly resinous notes of the beer complement the rocket, watercress, or radishes in the salad, while the sharp tropical and citrus fruity flavours enhance the creaminess of the goat's cheese.

Pale Ale with Fish and Chips

Scapa Special, a pale ale from Swannay Brewery, is an excellent choice to accompany a hearty plate of fish and chips. The bitterness from the British, German, and American hops cuts through the greasiness of the batter, highlighting the delicate flavours of the fish. The beer also adds a nice effervescence to this classic British dish.

Gose with Southeast Asian Cuisine

Gose beers, such as Roselle by Overtone, are sour and brewed with a lot of wheat, coriander, and salt. The result is a light, sweet, and salty beer that can stand up to the intense flavours of Thai and Vietnamese dishes. The refreshing character of the beer is a perfect match for spicy Southeast Asian cuisine.

Coffee and Chocolate Stouts with Chocolate Desserts or Blue Cheese

Indulge in a coffee and chocolate stout like Orinoco from Drygate Brewery. The roasted coffee, bitter chocolate, and lactose sweetness in this stout make it a perfect pairing for either rich chocolate desserts or strong, blue cheese. The combination of stouts and blue cheese is a match made in heaven.

Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout as an After-Dinner Tipple

For a cosy winter evening, sip on an intensely rich, barrel-aged imperial stout like Ola Dubh 12 from Harviestoun Brewery. Aged in 12-year-old Highland Park casks, this stout is packed with treacle toffee, vanilla, and roasted malt flavours, making it the perfect conclusion to a hearty meal.

Scottish breweries

Brewing in Scotland dates back 5,000 years, with ancient brewing techniques and ingredients remaining in use far longer than in the rest of the UK. Most breweries are based in the central Lowlands, which also contain the main centres of population.

Edinburgh and Alloa, in particular, became known for the export of beer around the world in the 19th century. The number of breweries in Scotland reached a peak of 280 in 1840, but by 1920, there were only 62 left. The decline continued, and by 1970, there were just 11. However, the decline was reversed towards the end of the 20th century, with small breweries springing up all over Scotland. Today, there are over 100 breweries in Scotland.

BrewDog

Based in Fraserburgh and Ellon, Aberdeenshire, BrewDog started out as a two-man team in 2007 and has since conquered the world. Its vast portfolio includes the American IPA Elvis Juice and the 18.2% ABV 'Nanny State'.

Stewart Brewing

Founded in 2004, this Loanhead, Edinburgh-based brewery offers tours every Friday from 7 pm, which include a beer on arrival and finish with a beer flight of your choice. It also has a beer and pizza kitchen.

Uile-bheist Distillery & Brewery

Nestled on the banks of the River Ness in Inverness, Uile-bheist is big on sustainability, with the base malt used in its beer and whiskies locally sourced. It offers a range of tours and experiences, including the Discovery Tour, which delves into the folklore and mythology behind the brand, and the Head Brewer tour, which offers an in-depth conversation with an expert brewer.

Fyne Ales

Based in Cairndow, Argyll & The Isles, Fyne Ales runs brewery tours every weekend. It takes pride in its sustainability efforts, brewing its beers in line with the seasons and using as many foraged ingredients as possible. Beers include Highlander, Hurricane and Jarl.

Tennent's Wellpark Brewery

Tennent's has been keeping Scotland's love of beer alive since 1556. Its lager is found in many bars and restaurants across the country. The brewery offers 90-minute tours, which include a free pint, as well as a beer masterclass experience hosted by resident beer experts.

Frequently asked questions