S&N to close Edinburgh brewery

[MeridianFC]

http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=190962004

Scottish & Newcastle are closing the 150 year old McEwan's plant in the Scottish capital. While I'm not a fan or their brew, this is still sad for the workers and the history of the site. Worrisome to me is the news that they're taking over Caledonian Breweries. Given not just the great Caley beer, but the history of independence of the place I'm quite concerned. I might have to load up on Deuchars before it all goes to hell.

Interesting to note that S&N declared £450m profits...........

FWIW:

http://www.camra.org.uk/SHWebClass.ASP?WCI=ShowDoc&DocID=7167

http://www.caledonian-brewery.co.uk/home/index.htm

[chris_o]

Although this is described as a "complex" deal, the details are far from clear. Whilst Scottish Courage is said to be a minority shareholder in the new company, it is also reported to have "acquired the production facility" of Caledonian. My guess is that it is a takeover by any other name and the majority shareholders are in bed with (and possibly funded by) ScotCo. I suspect that Deuchars IPA will be safe but what price the other Caledonian ales in the longer term? I can't see them wanting to continue production of both Caledonian 80/- and McEwans 80/- (which incidentally have identical OG and almost identical ABV) for too long.

[MeridianFC]

I do know this for empirical, though admittedly subjective fact; Caley 80/- is much better than the McEwan's. I happened to have had them both at several locations within the past couple of months.

As you say a minority share coupled with buying the Caley facility equals a takeover in my book. Given all that Caley has been through in the past couple of decades I never would have seen this one coming.

What's in a name, would 80/- by McEwan's or Caley's name taste as sweet? I guess we will find out.

[gallowd7]

That's a shame. In October while my wife and I were driving aroung trying to find our hotel (without a map!) we ended up going right past the brewery. It took everything my wife had to keep me from turning in.
How does one stock up on Deuchar's in the DC area? I too have a London connection, but he isn't very receptive to being my delivery man!

[MeridianFC]

S&N seemingly have not shame:

http://news.scotsman.com/archive.cfm?id=223102004

Record profits, closing plants, raising the price of a pint. And their beer's not even that good.

FWIW for another forum I compiled a list of active/inactive Scottish breweries (which is work that I think has been suplanted by the Scottish Beer Bible)

Active Scottish Breweries
Atlas Brewery Ltd. (Kinlochleven) - also An Teallach Ale Co. (?)
Arran Brewing Co. (Arran)
Belhaven Brewing Co. Ltd (Dunbar)
Black Isle Brewing Co. Ltd (Munlochy) - Organic!
Bridge of Allan (Bridge of Allan)
Broughton Ales (Biggar)
Cairngorm Brewing Co. (Aviemore) - formerlly Aviemore Brewery & Tomintoul Brewery
Caledonian Brewing Co. Ltd (Edinburgh) being taken over by S&N17 Feb. 2004
Clockwork Beer Co. (Glasgow)
Far North Brewery/Melvich Hotel (Sutherland)
Forth Brewing Co. Ltd. (Alloa)
Fyne Ales (Argyll)
Harviestoun Brewery (Dollar)
Heather Ale Co. (Stathaven)
Hebredean/Stonraway (Lewis)
Houston Brewing Co. (Houston)
Innis & Gunn (Edinburgh)
Inveralmond Brewery (Perth)
Isle of Skye Brewery (Skye)
Kelburn Brewing Co. (East Renfrewshire)
Maclay (Brewed by Belhaven?)
Moulin Hotel & Brewery (Pitlochry)
Orkney Brewery (Orkney)
Tennent Caledonian (Glasgow)
Traquiar House (Peelbleshire)
Valhalla Brewry (Shetland)

R.I.P.
Youngers of Alloa (Alloa)
Glaschu Brewery (Glasgow)
Scottish Courage/Scottish & Newcastle (Edinburgh) 17 Feb. 2004

[chazwicke]

There used to be a brewpub in Edinburgh that I drank at once. Along the Holy Rood. I know I have pictures from there. I think it was called the Rose but can't remember for sure. That was in 1989.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by chazwicke
There used to be a brewpub in Edinburgh that I drank at once.

You drank the whole brewpub at once? You must have been completely obliterated! ;)

[MeridianFC]

I thought there was a brewpub in Edinburgh called the Fisherow or somesuch. I'll ask my buddy from Leith if he can recall this place. IIRC there was/is a brewpub just up the street from the Caledonian Brewery, though that's not on the Holyrood.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
You drank the whole brewpub at once? You must have been completely obliterated! ;)

Your such a good helper!

Glad your feeling better too!

[chris_o]

Originally posted by chazwicke
There used to be a brewpub in Edinburgh that I drank at once. Along the Holy Rood. I know I have pictures from there. I think it was called the Rose but can't remember for sure. That was in 1989.

Rose Street Brewery, 55 Rose Street. originally owned by Allied. Closed October 1999, after the pubs were taken obever by Punch Taverns.

Fisherrow closed in Jan 2003

There is a prospective new brewery in Edinburgh called Stewart Brewing that is supposed to start producing commercially some time this year.

[chris_o]

Originally posted by MeridianFC

Active Scottish Breweries
Atlas Brewery Ltd. (Kinlochleven) - also An Teallach Ale Co. (?)
Arran Brewing Co. (Arran)
Belhaven Brewing Co. Ltd (Dunbar)
Black Isle Brewing Co. Ltd (Munlochy) - Organic!
Bridge of Allan (Bridge of Allan)
Broughton Ales (Biggar)
Cairngorm Brewing Co. (Aviemore) - formerlly Aviemore Brewery & Tomintoul Brewery
Caledonian Brewing Co. Ltd (Edinburgh) being taken over by S&N17 Feb. 2004
Clockwork Beer Co. (Glasgow)
Far North Brewery/Melvich Hotel (Sutherland)
Forth Brewing Co. Ltd. (Alloa)
Fyne Ales (Argyll)
Harviestoun Brewery (Dollar)
Heather Ale Co. (Stathaven)
Hebredean/Stonraway (Lewis)
Houston Brewing Co. (Houston)
Innis & Gunn (Edinburgh)
Inveralmond Brewery (Perth)
Isle of Skye Brewery (Skye)
Kelburn Brewing Co. (East Renfrewshire)
Maclay (Brewed by Belhaven?)
Moulin Hotel & Brewery (Pitlochry)
Orkney Brewery (Orkney)
Tennent Caledonian (Glasgow)
Traquiar House (Peelbleshire)
Valhalla Brewry (Shetland)

R.I.P.
Youngers of Alloa (Alloa)
Glaschu Brewery (Glasgow)
Scottish Courage/Scottish & Newcastle (Edinburgh) 17 Feb. 2004

A few more, mailnly new and mostly brewpubs
Breadalbane (Aberfeldy)
Devon (Sauchie)
Eglesbrech (Falkirk)
Fyfe (Kircaldy)
Sulwath (Castle Douglas)
Trossachs (Callander)
Tryst (Larbert)

Incidentally, I think Innis & Gunn badged beers are actually brewed at Caledonian.

[MeridianFC]

Chris,

You are correct. IIRC Caley brews it but the Innis & Gunn brand is owned by another party.