Scottish Beer News
June 2008
More Highly Distressing News - Arran Brewery In Administration
The recent edition of CAMRA's "What's Brewing" reports that Arran Brewery, in its beautiful location in Cladach, on the Isle of Arran, has gone into administration. PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L. are overseeing the administration in an attempt to save the brewery. Unfortunately, staff reductions are expected. The financial troubles have been blamed on cash-flow shortages resulting from problems in getting products delivered.
May 2008
Caledonian Brewery Bought By Scottish & Newcastle
In what could turn out to be a complete and utter travesty, Scottish & Newcastle has out-rightly purchased Edinburgh's historic Caledonian Brewery from its shareholders. Scottish & Newcastle, the last major Scottish based brewing interest, was recently purchased by the international giant, Heineken. The fate of one of Britain's finest breweries could now be in jeopardy along with its world class beer brands. One of two things will likely happen. One, the positive one, Heineken will see the value in beers such as the multi-award-winning Deuchar's IPA and Caledonian 80/- and will further promote them. In this, Caledonian could benefit immensely from Heineken's marketing and distribution chains. Or, second, the unspeakable - despite having many recent modernizations, the brewery will be closed as Scottish & Newcastle did recently with William McEwan's great historic Fountain Brewery just up the road. What will we wind up with? The loss of some of the world's finest beers and in its place, a bunch of houses, tenements and/or shops. Let's all hope it is the first option and that the future will remain bright for our beloved Caley.
According to CAMRA's "What's Brewing", current managing director, Stephen Crawley, will remain in his post and continue to operate the brewery's interests as a stand-alone business unit.
Harviestoun Brewery In New Hands
Possible good news in the recent purchase of Edinburgh's Caledonian Brewery is that the Harviestoun Brewery in Alva has been purchased by the former shareholders of Caledonian and will avoid coming under the hand of Heineken. In this, Stephen Crawley will also remain a director at Harviestoun but not in an executive role. Instead, Harviestoun's former Commercial Director, Chris Miller, will take over a Managing Director of the brewery. This, for now, secures Harviestoun's status as an independent brewery free to continue to develop and market its award winning beers such as the previous Champion Beer of Britain, Bitter & Twisted.
Scottish Beer Festivals For 2008
The Events page has been updated with all the latest information on Scottish Beer Festivals for 2008.