Written by Colin Fraser
You don’t need to be a beer fanatic to notice the surge in craft beer over the past years. No matter where you are in Scotland, the sound of freshly poured craft beer is never far from our ears.
From Fort William to Ayr and Aberdeen to the Central Belt, here’s your guide to taprooms and places to drink beer in Scotland.
Sometimes a quality gluten-free beer can be hard to pin down but at Bellfield Brewery, all its beer is gluten-free. Brewing an extensive range of delicious ales, IPAs, pilsners and lagers, customers are never short on choice and can even taste seasonal specials from other breweries. Its team says it’s all about “exceptional beer, no exceptions”.
On its farm across the water from Inverness, the Black Isle Brewery Co. creates its growing range of organic beers. And it’s these beers which fill the taps in both its bars based in Inverness and Fort William. Add dogs and wood-fired pizzas to the mix, it’s a spot where big chills are promised.
If you’re nearby, its brewery you can drop in for a few beers, shop its range and visit its organic vegetable garden.
Photography by @blackislebrewery
As the budding brains behind Brew Toon continued to hook line and sinker beer buffs with its eclectic range, it was time to open its first bottle shop and tasting room in 2021. From seasonal flavours like Cherry Crush to its Breach of the Peach milkshake IPA it’s safe to say its range never lacks creativity. Just look at its beer can designs.
Photography by @brew_toon
Explore ten taps of craft beer from Edinburgh’s very own Campervan Brewery. With fridges stocked with beers from Scottish and UK based breweries, this simplistic beer garden sets a buzz being regular host to local food vendors and local musicians.
If you get a taste for the Campervan Brewery range, its sister bar Lost in Leith will be right up your street with more beers from the brewery on tap.
At the foot of Edinburgh Castle sits not only a beer bar but a microbrewery where the Edinburgh born Cold Town House serves its beer straight from the brewery.
If Google Maps is failing you and you’re struggling to find the bar, follow signs for the Grassmarket and look for a mystical river of blue and purple flowers overflowing from the bar’s spire.
Photography by @coldtownhouse
Kick back and chill on the mish mash of sofas and armchairs at Cullach Brewery where this microbrewery serves its tasteful selection to be enjoyed in true comfort. Always repping other breweries, you can expect to see special additions from other breweries feature every week.
Make sure to add its sourdough pizzas to your order. Ready to be paired with your pint, it’s a no brainer.
The name is a giveaway but the flavours of this Aberdeen born craft beer brand are far from dull. Its bars in Aberdeen and Edinburgh both serve its range across 20 taps giving customers plenty of choice between beer variations. If you’re a sucker for stout, The Coconut Moose is right up your street.
It’s all about the good vibes over at The Growler in Ayr and it prides itself on serving the best craft beer, fresh seafood, coffee and plenty of food.
From whacky to traditional, expect only expertly selected beers – after all, “in beer we trust” is stamped on its beer tower which pours 13 beers from all over the world. For those wanting to make their way through the beer offering, its sample boards are the perfect place to start.
Photography by @the_growler
Pull up a chair on the very Instagrammable Ashton Lane strip on the doorstep of the Innis & Gunn Brewery Taproom. And if it’s a bit brisk to sit outside, there’s plenty of seats inside to get closer to the 23 taps of craft beer from the Innes & Gunn range along with international brands.
Photography by @thefoodhooveruk
The taps of Jerimiah’s Taproom are loaded with worldwide craft beer to be poured. If the tap offering doesn’t catch your eye, its fridge harbouring over 50 beer brands of the bottle and can variety offers a ray of light.
A prime location for beer lovers awaits slap bang in the heart of Aberdeen. Offering a chillout spot with sports on the screen, live music and pinball machines, OGV Taproom is an ideal spot to switch off when the work day is done.
Down by the banks of the River Spey, the intimate and cosy Old Bridge Inn welcomes locals and visitors in to enjoy its fully stocked bar, live music and food. Rest up in its steading style bar after exploring the delights Aviemore has to offer and quench the thirst with the likes of Fyne Ales, Cairngorm Brewery and cider from Thistly Cross Cider.
Photography by @oldbridgeinnaviemore
Whether you’re in Aberdeen, Stonehaven or Dundee, you’ll never be far from the artisanal beer range of Six° North. Serving its core range influenced by Belgian beer culture, there’s always new flavours unveiled through its flow of seasonal releases. Its latest landing is Destination Moon, a chocolate and Tonka stout – pass me the funnel.
Photography by @sixdnorth
After brewing its first beer in 2012, it wasn’t long until St Andrew’s Brewing Co. opened its first bar the following year. Now with two bars in St Andrew’s and one in Dundee, beer fans can tour its brewery and try out its growing range.
The brand’s birth came 100 years after the last brewery in St Andrews closed its doors and today the brand plays homage to the town’s brewing heritage using local ingredients.
Taking things to a close in Finnieston and Taphouse Bar & Kitchen waits to serve – you guessed it – the finest selection of craft beer and cider. Its rotational tap places the newest of flavours into the spotlight introducing punters to Scottish beer brands.
The brand’s birth came 100 years after the last brewery in St Andrews closed its doors and today the brand plays homage to the town’s brewing heritage using local ingredients.
Photography by @taphouseglasgow
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