Hop, Clip, & Pump

Some breweries are defined by scale. Others by innovation. Fyne Ales is defined by place . Set within the traditional farm buildings of Achadunan, near Cairndow , the brewery sits at the head of Loch Fyne , surrounded by the quiet drama of the West Highlands. It is a location that shapes not only the brewery’s identity, but the beer itself. From Milking Parlour to Brewhouse Fyne Ales was established in 2001, transforming a redundant milking parlour into a working brewery. It is a story that feels distinctly Scottish, resourceful, practical, and rooted in the land. The first commercial brew took place on St Andrew’s Day , a fitting beginning for a brewery that would go on to represent Scottish craft brewing on a wider stage. From the outset, there was a clear ethos: produce high-quality beer while minimising environmental impact. The design of the brewery reflects this, integrating with its surroundings rather than imposing upon them. Water, Landscape, and Sustainability Water is cent...

Some beers arrive with names that intrigue before the first sip is even taken. Bête Noire,  French for 'black beast,' suggests something difficult, perhaps even unwelcome. A nuisance. A challenge. Something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Yet the reality, as brewed by Kelham Island Brewery , is quite the opposite. A Name with Teeth The phrase bête noire carries weight. It speaks of irritation, of something persistently troublesome, a personal adversary. It’s an unusual choice for a beer name, particularly one accompanied by a unicorn on the pump clip, a creature more often associated with lightness and myth than menace. Perhaps the name reflects the brewing process itself, an ale that proved difficult to perfect. Or perhaps it’s simply a piece of playful contradiction, a nod to the long tradition of evocative, sometimes ironic naming in British brewing. Whatever the intention, the beer that emerges is far removed from anything troublesome. A Dark Ale with a Gentle N...

Some beers make their mark through boldness; others through balance. Top Totty , brewed by Slaters Ales , belongs firmly in the latter category, a beer that doesn’t shout for attention, but earns it steadily, pint after pint. Behind the playful name lies a brewery with a clear sense of purpose, shaped by family roots, careful expansion, and a commitment to producing consistently high-quality ales. From Eccleshall Beginnings Slaters Ales began life in March 1995, originally known as Eccleshall Brewery. Founded by Ged Slater and Moyra Slater , the operation started modestly, tucked behind the George Hotel in the market town of Eccleshall . It was a classic setup for the era, small-scale, local, and rooted in the traditions of British brewing. Yet even in those early days, the ambition was clear: to produce beers that could stand alongside the best in the country. Demand grew steadily. What began as a local venture quickly gained a wider following, with customers drawn to the reli...