A Guide to Beer in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Whether it’s a punchy IPA, a lip-piercing sour or a stout as dark as night, pint glasses are spoiled by the local breweries that have made Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire a craft beer destination to be envied. With so many brands to talk up around the region, I thought it would be an apt opportunity to signpost some local craft beer brands and get you up to speed with the stories behind the can.

Starting with my go to beer brand in the city, Fierce Beer. I’m all for this brand not only for its amazingly diverse range of beers but its triumphant story.

After meeting on a brewing course and receiving rave reviews of their home brews, owners Dave Grant and Dave McHardy decided to take the plunge and make their passion a reality by making a start to the Fierce story.

Since its first batch in May 2016, appetite has grown to demand 800,000 litres of beer a year to feed its bars in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Manchester – not forgetting its exports to 15 countries.

With a growing appetite comes a growing community, and the support from its legion of supporters defined as the Fierce Family is inspiring. After opening its flagship bar in Aberdeen following a successful crowdfunding campaign, the brand ran a second to raise £75,000 to help the business sustain through the pandemic and in just 24 hours £155,820 was donated – yeah that’s not a typo, 24 hours.

I’m a dark beer lover through and through so right at the top of my list is the Cafe Racer infused with espresso coffee creating a rich and velvety brew ending with smooth notes of Madagascan vanilla, and it is delightful. I have a sneaky suspicion that a new favourite is away to hit my list after catching wind of Fierce Agave, which adds two tequila products to its ever expanding product range.

Taking a trip over to the most Eastern part of Scotland where the microbrewery of Brew Toon brews its distinguished flavours enjoyed by the masses. Keeping close to its nautical roots, local ingredients are infused to create its bold and adventurous craft beer flavours that reflect the seafaring spirit of its base in Peterhead and the surrounding community.

History lovers will be interested to know that the Brew Toon microbrewery is on the very site where, back in the 1700s, John Hunter and his sons set up the famed Tanfield brewery which not only kept the people of Peterhead in good stock but exported its beer all across Scotland. For news from the brewery, keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

After falling in love with the Belgian beer scene, owner Robert Lindsay set out on his quest to add beers that drew on the Belgian brewing traditions and culture to the North-east drinkscape.

I’m a firm believer in the life phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”, but that goes out the window with the cans and bottles of six°north: here you most definitely should. With stylish seventies influenced labels setting the tone nicely for tasting what treats live inside.

I’m a regular visitor to its Aberdeen bar which oozes the vibe of a German beer house with an open plan interior kitted out with benches giving off a real community feel to enjoy the freshest take on beer with others.

Great beer and food come together here to create one unrivalled duo. Aberdeen’s icons of woodfired meats, Smoke and Soul take up the kitchen residency to serve up heaped dishes of mac and cheese loaded with brisket, poutine, dirty fries and signature sandwiches.

Now this is a place worth seeking out: a tavern full of rare finds below the cobbles of Stirling Street.

CASC quite simply defines its overflowing selection as “demanding excellence and rejecting anything less” with all that fills its stock being trialled by its expert team to ensure all products are top shelf.

Since opening its doors in 2013, CASC has been passionate about pairing cigars with fine whisky, beer and coffee to expose its punters to unrivalled combinations. The brand also offers a shopping experience through its retail space on King Street to buy bottles, cans and boxes of its superior stock.

Sandwiched between the rich countryside of the Cairngorms National Park and the crashing coastline, Burnside Brewery has been brewing easy-drinking beers from its brewery in Laurencekirk since 2010.

Taking inspiration and ingredients from its surrounding landscape to craft refreshing and natural recipes, this brand has a passion for creating a taste of Scotland in every hand-filled bottle.

Budding brewers get the chance to try their hand at brewing here with the Be the Brewer sessions. Spend a Saturday at the brewery where the team take you through the brewing process with an access all areas experience to create your own beer.

If you’re eager to order through the online shop, check out its Beer Tasting Notes which breaks down each of its beers to ensure you find your perfect match. While you’re there, add some ready to cook pork pies from Wark Farm and you have an epic pie and pint combination.

I can’t write a North-east inspired beer article and not mention beer giants BrewDog. Making a name for themselves as the punks of the craft beer scene, these brewing bandits are never far from trouble but one thing you can’t deny is that they make mighty fine beer.

Starting out brewing in Fraserburgh in 2007 and retailing small batches from the boot of a van at local markets, BrewDog has since grown to world domination scale with five breweries, over 70 bars and four hotels fuelling beer lovers all over the globe.

At its HQ in Ellon you can tour the brewery and visit the museum to learn of its compelling past, present and future. Grab a seat in the onsite bar after for a towering burger (always the Cluck Norris for me) or speciality wings and taste beers straight from the brewery.

Your local beer stash may be screaming out for the addition of beers from across the globe, Hop Shop Aberdeen (which resides within Westhill Filling Station) can satisfy that craving. With over 300 craft beers stocked, plus two chilled growler stations fed straight from the keg, don’t expect a quick refuel stop here.

An online drinks shop is one thing but an online drinks shop focusing on Scotland (and more importantly the North-east) is music to my ears. Devenick Drinks aims to provide a hub for beer, coffee and spirit enthusiasts to shop local brands and discover new names from all across Scotland.

Combining their love for craft beer, distilling and coffee, friends Andy, Bryan and Glen created this online brand to provide a no nonsense gateway to the best products with the support local tag at the forefront.

Think of this place like a local Amazon, stocking hand selected small batch products to ensure that, no matter what’s ordered, quality is delivered to your door. With 23 suppliers and over 80 products under its belt, there’s plenty to choose from.

Andy Christie is one third of the Devenick Drinks team and I was interested to know which local beers he would put the spotlight on, so I asked him that very question:

“I guess if we had to pick a few standout breweries close to home it would be the guys over at Fierce Beer, the Cranachan Killer is like the dessert itself but without the need for a spoon!

“The M’ango Unchained by BrewToon is out of this world with its heavy hitting and fruity punch!! And then there’s Reids Gold Brewery in Stonehaven and its North Sea Haar which is made in collaboration with the Haar Restaurant in St Andrews and includes ingredients we had never even heard of before!

“And last but not least, six°north. The Wonderlust Wheat Beer is one of the best you’ll find this side of Germany! I really could go on about their range of beers all day!

“The quality of craft beer from these four companies has been fundamental in keeping North-east Scotland on the craft beer map.”

Believe it or not, there are still more beer brands to talk up around the region – simply visit any bar, bottle shop or farm deli and you’ll soon discover plenty more.

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