Waitrose has placed 49 new Scottish craft beers on its shelves today, to introduce its Scottish customers to the best quality ales from across the country.
The supermarket has doubled the number of Scottish craft beer and ales it stocks and increased the number of Scottish breweries it works with from 13 to 21.
It also extended the selection of beers and ales from some of its existing suppliers, such as Fyne Ales, bringing the total number of Scottish beers, ales and lagers available to over 90.
Waitrose’s beer experts have been working on expanding the craft beer offering since September 2015. Working with Scotland Food & Drink, the team sampled 140 craft beers from across Scotland before making its final selection.
Twelve of the new beers are exclusive to Waitrose, including three from Fallen Brewing in Stirlingshire; the Blonde and Wolf Dark bottles from Lossiemouth-based Windswept Brewing; signature bottle Seggie Mill from Eden Mill brewery in St Andrews and the Black Cork from Knops Beer Company in East Lothian.
A gluten-free option from Black Isle Brewery is also exclusive to Waitrose, giving coeliacs the chance to enjoy a high quality beer with a citrus zing.
Waitrose is also the only supermarket to stock Skye Yer Ben (pictured), a smooth collaboration between celebrity chef Tom Kitchin and Isle of Skye Brewing.
Oliver O’Mara, local and regional buyer for Waitrose, said, “This is the biggest regional beer hunt Waitrose has ever undertaken, which gives you an idea of how seriously we are taking the craft beer movement in Scotland.
“The Scottish brewing scene is at the forefront of innovation in the UK, such as the Goldfinch by Black Isle, a gluten free and organic beer which is now available in all our Scottish branches.”
Kate Prall, beer buyer for Waitrose, said, “We now have one of the biggest selections of craft beer and ales, which I think will make Waitrose a real destination for lovers of these drinks.
“We sampled around 140 beers and I was really impressed with the quality; we were quite spoilt for choice.
“Scottish craft beers can really hold their own against the UK national ranges. It’s clear that the brewers are passionate and have a real love for their craft, which makes for great tasting beer.”