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3 Scottish Beers To Get Into This Autumn

21/10/2022

The clocks are about to go back, leaves are turning brown and the nights are drawing in. At this time of year, a lot of our favourite breweries tend to release some autumn inspired beer! Our team love nothing more than relaxing on an autumn evening with a Scottish beer and something tasty to eat. There is a lot of choice out there so we thought we would give you a hand in choosing a Scottish beer to enjoy this autumn.

1. Barney's Ol' Seamus Scotch Ale

Our friends at Barneys brew in the old horse stables at Summerhall, in Edinburgh. Their first ever Scotch Ale only went and picked up an award on its first outing. Ol Seamus is a crowd pleaser indeed and named after their first brewery dog. With notes of caramel and toffee, this Scotch Ale will warm up your chillier autumn evenings with decadent undertones of dates and raisins, and not to mention the slightly heavier ABV of 7.4%. If you are looking to go one step further, Barneys have released their barrel-aged version of Ol Seamus. At 10% ABV, this beer has been aged in ex-bourbon barrels for 6 months to introduce notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and give it a well-rounded malty-sweetness.

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2. Simple Things Fermentations Seasonals Best Bitter

Hop into the autumn season with this cosy, malty bitter. Sweet honey notes cut through its spiced fruitiness to give it a smoothness which perfectly balances this beers initial bitterness. The brewers at STF have taken a lot of care and attention with the recipe, making sure to use the best-suited hops for this style of beer. Sticking to tradition, this beer is rather special due to it's refermentation in the can, making it a proper Best Bitter! Made right in the heart of Scotland, in Glasgow, this seasonal beer is the ideal pick-me-up after a nippy autumn walk in the woods. For some of our autumn walk recommendations in Scotland, click here. If you are looking for a lighter alternative to many of the higher ABV seasonal beers, this bitter reaches 4.5% ABV, making it a delicious solution.

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3. Tempest Mexicake Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

If you are on the hunt for the perfect moreish stout as we head into the colder months, you are in luck! Down in the Scottish borders, Tempest brewery have created an incredibly tempting imperial stout which does not disappoint. Spiced and warming, this cinnamon, chipotle chilli, vanilla bean, chocolate stout has been aged in bourbon barrels for 12 months to give it an extra boozy, oaky flavour. Sitting at a dizzying 12.4% ABV, this stout is the perfect accompaniment to a crisp, cold autumnal evening spent sitting by the fireplaceâ€¦

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Do you want to try out more seasonal beers?

What better combination than a little local history combined with guided beer tastings? ScotBeer provide walking tours in Edinburgh,Leith, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

If this sounds like your cup of tea (or should we say, pint of beer...), book a beer tour or give the gift of beer by purchasing our gift cards!

Top 5 Autumnal Walks from the ScotBeer Team

13/10/2022

Top 5 Autumnal Walks in Scotland

Scotland undoubtably has some of the best scenery in the world and at this time of year it is enhanced by golden light and browning trees. Take advantage of the world on our doorsteps and step away from the madness of everyday life whilst enjoying all the benefits of the great outdoors.

Good Walks in Scotland with Pubs

Aside from beer walks, our team love heading out for an autumnal walk to wind down after a busy week exploring Scotland's best bars with our guests. At this time of year, Scotland looks incredible so we asked our team where their favourite autumnal walks are and we've compiled a list of our top 5 autumnal walks.

1. Roslin Glen

The path around Roslin Glen offers a tranquil stroll along a riverside path, taking in some breathtaking scenery.

The 4.25km path should take you just over an hour and a half, making it a family friendly walk easy to reach from Edinburgh.

When she isn't running ScotBeer, our founder Sara likes to unwind by walking the paths around The Roslin Glen.
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After your walk, we recommend making the short 9 minute drive over to the Stewart Brewing Bar and Pizza Kitchen in Loanhead to refuel with some unique Scottish craft beers and delicious, hearty pizzas.

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2. Bennachie Centre to Mither Tap

If you're looking for something a little more challenging, Mhairi, one of our Glasgow tour guides who grew up in the area, recommends the walk from the Bennachie Centre to Mither Tap in Aberdeenshire.

From the Bennachie Centre bear west onto the slopes of Mither Tap up to its granite covered peak. Keep an eye out for the remains of the ancient Pictish hillfort which is situated at the summit. The centre is just a 15-minute drive from Inverurie and is conveniently located near some of Scotlandâ€™s best breweries including the renowned BrewDog. Make sure to head over to the original BrewDog Flagship bar located in Gallowgate in Aberdeen.

This walk is a bit more challenging, but the view is certainly worth it.

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3. Dollar Glen

Located at the base of the dramatic Ochil hills at the boundary between the Highlands and the Lowlands, Dollar Glen offers a wide range of natural features including gorges, valleys and burns. As well as being home to many species of plants, lichens and trees, Dollar Glen is home to Castle Campbell, dating back to the 15th century.

The circular trail around the Glen takes around an hour and a half to complete and is a fantastic chance to spot some local wildlife. In the autumn, the woods explode into an impressive array of warm red, orange and yellow colours which make it the perfect autumnal stroll. The forest paths are easily accessible from the nearby village of Dollar or by parking in the Dollar Glen car park on Castle Road.

Afterwards, make the short 8 minutes drive along the road to The Inn at Muckhart where you will find a cosy and welcoming bar serving ales and tempting pub meals. The Inn at Muckhart also pride themselves on being dog-friendly!

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4. Lord Ancrum's Wood

Midlothian and Edinburgh's surrounding area is home to some stunning autumnal walks, none more so than Lord Ancrum's Wood near Eskbank.
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This is an easily accessible trail through broadleaf and larch woodland. Just 25 minutes from Edinburgh, the wood has a network of paths to follow and provides ample opportunity to escape from city life.

Don't forget to visit our friends at Crossborders Brewing for a quick drink in their taproom afterwards. We recommend their 80 /- Shilling Heavy beer as the perfect end to an autumn dayâ€™s walk in the woods.

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5. Glenmore Forest Park

Cairngorms National Park was established in 2003 and was the second national park in Scotland, after Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. A place of stunning natural beauty, Glenmore Forest lies at the centre of the park and has trails trails for all types of walkers.

The park is known for its silver birch population, and in autumn, the forest has a distinct golden glow. The forest is also home to lots of wildlife from deer to red squirrels and giant wood ant mounds so keep your eyes peeled!
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Once you have explored the park, why donâ€™t you pop into The Pine Marten Bar, located in Glenmore, for a drink? If you are in search of the perfect cosy and atmospheric pub, then this is the place for you.

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What to do when it's raining in Scotland

The team at ScotBeer recommend seeking shelter in a local pub. You'll find lots of these on our Beer Maps of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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Want some company and some stories? Well, we'd love to spend some time with you on a beer tour. Join us in Leith, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

3 Scottish Beers To Get Into This Autumn

1. Barney's Ol' Seamus Scotch Ale

2. Simple Things Fermentations Seasonals Best Bitter

3. Tempest Mexicake Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Do you want to try out more seasonal beers?

Top 5 Autumnal Walks from the ScotBeer Team

Top 5 Autumnal Walks in Scotland

Good Walks in Scotland with Pubs

1. Roslin Glen

2. Bennachie Centre to Mither Tap

3. Dollar Glen

4. Lord Ancrum's Wood

5. Glenmore Forest Park

What to do when it's raining in Scotland

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