A new golden ageWith over 100 new breweries in the last ten years, there’s a lot of energy in the Scottish beer industry. Quality, innovation and collaboration are flourishing as a result of this rapid growth.
Collaboration and Innovation in BrewingIt’s a sentiment Jan Moran of Ferry Brewery agrees with noting, “consumer tastes have changed; they want quality, variety, interesting brews and there are many opportunities to try as many styles from as many breweries than ever before.” Shannon McFarlane of Tempest Brewing Co adds “you’re also starting to see a more diverse audience for craft beer, people are more open to it and willing to try new things, I think in part to how much of an emphasis the beer industry puts on education and openness.”  To meet demand breweries are collaborating with each other to produce special edition beers. They are also reaching out to the likes of Amy Rankine of Hipsters & Hobos, a foraging expert who’s worked with the likes of Cross Borders Brewing Company and Campervan Brewery to produce beers brewed with locally picked ingredients. It’s a development that excites Dani Mountain, a social media expert working with microbreweries. She’s looking forward to seeing Scottish brewers “take more chances with their beers and experiment with the fantastic resources the country has to offer.” A new opportunityThe advances in Scottish beer combined with the country’s existing global reputation for food and drink is opening up a new opportunity.
“The most exciting thing...as Scottish beer gains popularity in international markets is that it will bring more tourism to Scotland as people travel here from all over the world to try incredible Scottish beers” says Jenny Watt of ScotBeer Tours.
What have Kylie Jenner and Instagramers got to do with beer?
It turns out quite a lot. Brooklyn Brewery's Garrett Oliver spoke out recently attributing the phenomenal success of NEIPA (New England IPA) to its photogenics and ability to influence on Instagram. There's a new generation coming into beer, not just in brewing and bars but, in the crucially important work of communicating what a brewery and its beers are all about. Read on to hear from Shannon McFarlane on promoting Tempest Brewing Co and working with co-founder Annika Meiklejohn. A new generation of influencers
Shannon McFarlane is the person behind Tempest Brewing Co's marketing and branding. Her days are all about photography, marketing strategy, merchandising and, of course, sharing the spirit of the company on social media. The sense of community within the brewery is clear when she describes Annika, Tempest’s co-founder and director, as “the driving force behind the business side of the brewery.”
Is working in the beer industry different than what you thought it would be?
I didn’t have many expectations about the beer industry. I think the obvious expectation was that it might be difficult as a girl in an obviously male dominated field, but for the most part it’s not been an issue. The people you meet who work in breweries are some of the nicest, most passionate people you’ll ever come across.
Is this really the golden age of the Scottish beer?
I don’t think we’re necessarily in a golden age so much as we are on the cusp of one. The Scottish brewing industry is still fairly young, a lot of breweries are just now starting to have access to resources that’ll allow them to grow and make their mark on the world. We recently entered the RateBeer Top 100, and we’re only one of two breweries on there despite the masses of talent in Scotland!
What is the most exciting thing about the future of brewing in Scotland?
I think it really is just the passion and enthusiasm that people have for this industry. You’ve got not just the passion from the brewers and the people working day-to-day in the industry, but also this incredibly motivated, close-knit, excited community of people who drink the beer. That kind of excitement is so hard to find in other comparable industries.
Quick Beer Q&A
Fourteen years ago brewing and beer was very different. This was four years before Brewdog. Four years before Heineken acquired Scottish & Newcastle for £7 billion. Four years before "craft beer" even registered as a search term in Scotland.
Into this world stepped Jo Stewart, co-founder of Stewart Brewing.
Read on to hear from this pioneer of the Scottish craft beer scene in part four of our build up to the "Women in Brewing Beer Fair" on International Women's Day, 8th March. Pop along on the day to meet Jo and sample some Stewart's beer.
Pioneering spirit in the Scottish craft beer scene
With a background in environmental consultancy, events management and marketing Jo co-founded Stewart Brewing with husband Steve in 2004. The combination of Jo's talents and Steve's brewing skills proved a winning combination and it's a formula they are keen to support in a new generation with the annual "Natural Selection" competition where teams compete to brew and market a new beer.
Is working in the beer industry different than what you thought it would be?
You know I never really had any expectations and I am a ‘can do’ person who can get on with most people so I find it a great industry to work in. If it gets stressful I remind myself it’s only beer and should be fun!
Is this really the golden age of the Scottish beer?
It certainly feels like a special time for Scottish Beer. We have some of the best and most exciting craft breweries in the UK based here and we are producing some really exciting and attention-grabbing beers not to mention some great bars and festival to drink them at. The industry has certainly come a long way in the 14 years we have been brewing.
Quick Beer Q&A
Today more than ever people care about not just how their food is made but the people and stories behind it. Scotland’s burgeoning food markets and street food festivals are all about eating and drinking local. Amy Rankine takes things to a whole new level foraging ingredients for local brewers and her very own “wild confectionery.”
You can meet Amy and taste the fruits of her foraging at the Women in Brewing Beer Fair on Thursday 8th March. Read on to learn more about foraging and its role in today's craft beer scene. A walk on the wild side with foraged beer and confectionary
When not studying towards her MSc in Gastronomy at Queen Margaret's University, Amy can be found out in the woods with dog Ru, doing a rekkie for upcoming brewing collaborations and guided foraging walks. She's sourced ingredients for many local brewers including Campervan Brewery in Leith.
Is working in the beer industry different than what you thought it would be?
I’ve been always quite involved in the scene in general, my first degree was food science at Heriot-Watt University and we crossed over with the brewing undergrad, and through being involved with the Brewing Soc & speaking to breweries, I’ve been reasonably exposed for a good ten years or so.
Is this really a golden age of Scottish beer?
The industry growth and public interest at the moment give some breweries the chance to get the recognition they deserve as well as allowed for expansion and creation of new breweries. I’m not sure that we’ve reached peak beer yet but I’d certainly hope that it becomes well placed and continues to break down barriers.
What’s the current beer trend?
I recon pastry stouts still have a bit to run, a move to IPA or PA from DIPA but still with a whack of hops is about, and I’d expect to see more farmhouse and foraged in 2018.
Quick Beer Q&A
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