With the Hogmanay celebrations just behind us, VisitScotland has brewed up its very first craft beer map and Dumfries and Galloway is putting on a great show with three local producers.
It’s believed that beer has been brewed in Scotland for more than 5000 years and with more than 115 breweries, stretching from the Valhalla Brewery on Unst in Shetland to Portpatrick Brewery near Stranraer, Scotland is in the midst of a craft beer revolution.
Scotland’s Craft Beer Map allows beer lovers to plot their very own ale adventures as they work their way around the country discovering some of the finest craft brews.
The new map currently holds details of over 70 producers, with more expected to be added in future. Virtual visitors can explore beers by region, find their favourite brands and embark on tours and tastings.
Steve Duncan, VisitScotland Marketing Manager, said: “Beer is pretty big business in Scotland. With more than 115 breweries operating across the country, the variety and quality of beer and ale being produced and served in Scotland’s bars and pubs and available in our shops and supermarkets is greater than ever.
“This new interactive map, which can be easily updated, has been created to make it easy for visitors to include a brewery tour as part of a holiday or short break in Scotland as well as recognising the growing interest in Scotland’s craft beer sector.
“As we head towards Hogmanay and with Burns Night in January on the horizon, this is an ideal time to put Scotland’s breweries on the map and inspire visitors to include a visit to a brewery in their 2018 travel plans.“
Caroline Wengel, The Brewers Association of Scotland’s (TBAS) Business Development Manager, said: “We are delighted to be working with VisitScotland to help showcase Scotland’s diverse brewing industry. The Scottish food and drink story is a real success and the beer revolution is at the heart of it. We know that visitors to our country love to eat and drink locally made produce and this new interactive map will help tourists discover breweries to visit and beers to try during their trip.”
No matter where you are in Scotland, you’re never far from a good local craft beer especially in Dumfries and Galloway…..
SULWATH BREWERS LTD.
Castle Douglas, DG7 1DT
Conducted tours led by a brewer, are available every Monday and Friday at 1pm. The visitor centre is open Mon–Sat 10 am – 6pm for off-sales.
This is a small family-run brewery, located in the picturesque south-west of Scotland. First established in 1996, the brewery lies close to the Solway Estuary, a busy and popular part of Scotland for visiting geese during the winter migration period. The team here takes great pride in producing beers that are traditionally brewed, using the best quality malts and fresh whole hops, with the aim of creating a taste of yesteryear.
Producers of:
- Criffel IPA
- Galloway Gold Lager
- Tri-ball Tribute Blonde Ale
- Solway Mist Wheat Beer
- The Grace Light Mild
- Black Galloway Porter Stout
- Knockendoch Dark Ale
FIVE KINGDOMS BREWERY
Isle of Whithorn, DG8 8LL
Producers of:
- Wee McAsh
- Criminale
- Bright Idea
- Bitter X Blonde
- Auf Wiedersehen
- Dark Storm
PORTPATRICK BREWERY
Stranraer, DG9 9EF
TOURS AVAILABLE
Tours available by appointment only, please contact [email protected].
Portpatrick Brewery, in the lovely Dumfries & Galloway harbour village of the same name, started up in 2015 and uses a small 1.5 brewers barrel plant to produce small batch, handcrafted beers. The brewery currently has a range of 7 beers and supplies local pubs as well as others further afield. As well as cask beers, a range of bottled beers are also supplied to pubs, restaurants and other local outlets.
Producers of:
- Dorn Rock Bitter
- Fog Horn IPA
- Dark Skies Stout
- Gulf Stream Golden Ale
