Celebrating it's recent re-opening in Glasgow earlier this year, The Griffin provides the ideal warm, cosy and friendly atmosphere that everyone is looking for around the Christmas holidays.  The Griffin has been taken over by the Isle of Skye Brewing Co. and so is now sporting a great range of their own beers behind the bar, including some quality cask ales along with some fantastic draughts.  Located right across the street from the King's Theatre, The Griffin would make the perfect pre-theatre pub for your festive night out in Glasgow.

Fancy a festive trip down to Leith? Well, use this as an excuse to get yourself down there.  Moonwake Beer have opened a taproom overlooking their brewery.  What better thing to do than to drink some beer right in the middle of where it all happens?! Founded in 2021, Moonwake Beer produce a variety of beers made with lots of expertise and care, ranging from a dry-hopped stout to their "Breakfast IPA". If you're looking to book for a private hire or a larger group, Moonwake can accommodate you, with space for groups of up to 40 people! 

If you're kicking about in the Granite City this Christmas and looking for somewhere to drop in for a few beers, stop by the OGV Taproom located not far from Aberdeen train station.  The OGV Taproom offer great beers made using locally sourced ingredients, so why not support a local, small business while you're out for drinks with your friends and family? Originating from an energy company, these brewers launched in the middle of the pandemic, but have made it through and have some fantastic beers to show for it.  Their taproom is also dog-friendly so bring along your furry friends...

Perfect for the spirit lover in your family, the Borders Distillery produce not only whisky, but gin and vodka using locally sourced barley.  The distillery opened in 2018, making it the first distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837! Located along the Teviot river in the picturesque Borders, they offer distillery tours complete with tasters! If you would rather purchase some of their products as a warming Christmas present, visit their website where they have some festive gift packages available…

This local bakery operates from Galashiels.  As well as making a wide range of delicious home-bakes and chocolate, Bulldog Bakes is also environmentally friendly by planting a tree for every order placed! They even have ensured that all of their packaging is biodegradable and do not use any single-use plastics.  Choose from their tasty-looking variety of cookies, traybakes, chocolates and cakes as the perfect accompaniment to a festive gift this year!

This family-led gin distillery is nestled in Selkirkshire in the Scottish Borders and produce several unique and enticing gins.  Locally-inspired from all fronts, the Selkirk Distillers source their ingredients seasonally and locally, employ local artists, as well as supporting multiple charities along the way.  From using gorse, to bannock, to coffee to flavour their gins, do not give these guys a miss if you are looking to surprise the gin-lover in your life this Christmas. 

If you are looking to stray away from the stronger alcoholic drinks which come out during the festive season, how about considering kombucha as an alternative? First of all, what is kombucha? Well, it is essentially tea, sugar and water that has been fermented by yeast and bacteria.  With trace amounts of alcohol, kombucha is a great low sugar, low calorie, healthy soft tea drink which contains health-beneficial nutrients.  Left Field Kombucha provide a fantastic range of different flavours and styles of kombucha which have been made with particular focus on taste and quality. We definitely recommend checking Left Field Kombucha out if you are looking for new and different gift ideas this year.  Choose from many options on their website or their stockists, purchase a taster pack or even treat someone you love to a subscription box!