The history of beer in Edinburgh is perhaps the lengthiest of any region of Scotland.[citation needed] Throughout the history of Edinburgh, brewing takes its place as one of the most important and oldest industries. The origin of brewing goes back to the 12th century monks of Holyrood Abbey, who took advantage of the clear spring water for the production of their ale.[1] The brewing industry certainly contributed to Edinburgh's earned moniker of "Auld Reekie" so named due to all the smoke produced by coal and wood burning furnaces and boilers. This is evidenced by the fact that at the turn of the 20th century, Edinburgh had no less than thirty-five breweries churning out this smoke from its maltings and brewhouses. This haze may not have been so noticeable were it not for the density of the buildings and population in such proximity.[2] There are two lists below, one for defunct and one for operational breweries & microbreweries in Edinburgh.
Operational breweries
[edit]| Name | Location | Established |
|---|---|---|
| Barneys Beer | Summerhall Place, Edinburgh | 2012 |
| Pilot | Stewartfield, Edinburgh | 2013 |
Closed breweries
[edit]| Name | Established | Closed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caledonian Brewery | 1869 | 2022 | 42 Slateford Rd, Edinburgh. Bought out By Heineken in 2008, then closed in 2022.[3] |
| McEwans | 1856 | 2008 | Bought out by Heineken in 2008, then by Wells & Young's Brewery in 2011[4] |
| Youngers | 1778 | 1931 | Merged with McEwans |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Edinburgh in the 1950s. Jack Gillon. 1988. ISBN 9781445637693. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ "Edinburgh's Real Ale Breweries". CAMRA. 1999. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- ^ "Edinburgh's historic Caledonian Brewery to close after 153 years". BBC News. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ^ "Fountain Brewery The home of Edinburgh's Beers". John D Martin. 2012. Archived from the original on 21 June 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
