Edinburgh Beer Becomes Scottish Champion
A beer brewed by Edinburgh’s local independent brewery, Stewart Brewing has been announced as the Society of Independent Brewers Association (SIBA) Scotland’s Bottled Beer Champion.
Stewart Brewing’s Hollyrood beat strong competition to win the title of SIBA Scotland Regional Bottled Beer Champion after winning the bottled bitters (over 5%) category earlier in the competition. The competition was held at The Beehive in the Capital’s Grassmarket area of the city on Friday 21 January 2011 and involved a tough taste off against over 67 entries from 17 of the best Scottish breweries including Williams Bros Brewery (who were placed Silver and Bronze winners in the competition), Cairngorm, Harviestoun, Inveralmond, Fyne Ales and Black Isle.
Hollyrood had earlier won World’s Best Blonde/Golden Pale Ale at the World Beer Awards in August 2010 with the beer being said to be “highly quaffable”.
Stewart’s Hollyrood will now go through to the SIBA National Beer Competition at The Canal House, Nottingham on 10 February 2011 and face stiff competition from the best breweries all over the UK for the National title, with winners being announced on 4 March 2011 at the SIBA National Brewing Conference held in Stratford-on-Avon.
Named to both celebrate Edinburgh’s brewing traditions and the contribution of US west coast hops, the bottle label features the iconic image from Edinburgh’s landscape of Arthur’s Seat and Hollywood – A fusion of west coast US and Edinburgh.
Stewart Brewing’s founder and MD, Steve Stewart, said: “Obviously winning at the World Beer Awards last year was a great achievement, but the SIBA competition sets us on a blind taste test directly against our fellow brewers in Scotland, many of whom are brewing some really good stuff right now. Scottish Brewing is on the rise and I’d like to congratulate Williams Brothers on their 2nd & 3rd place!”
Stewart Brewing, recently celebrated 6 years of brewing locally distributed, award-winning, hand crafted beers and have planned an expansion to new premises later this year.
They are passionate about their beers and use only the finest ingredients as they aim to uphold the tradition and reputation of Edinburgh’s great brewing history in a modern and innovative way whilst having fun in the process.
The bottled beers (including the Hollyrood) should be served from the fridge, have natural yeast sediment and are made using no additives or preservatives therefore suitable for vegans.
The beers are becoming widely available from selected bars and restaurants across Edinburgh and central Scotland including the Mussel Inn, The Witchery by the Castle, Howies and the Tower Restaurant. Off sales are available through Winehouse, Oddbins, Pekhams, Dobbies, Waitrose, Great Grog, Cornelius and Henderson Wines. Wholesalers include Gordon & MacPhail and WM Morton’s.
Stewart Brewing is growing rapidly and now produces over 3,000 barrels of beer per year, with their current range of draft beers available in over 250 pubs throughout Edinburgh, Scotland and Northern England. The bottled beer range, which was launched at the end of 2009, has been a great success, leading to the current planned expansion to triple capacity.
