Country

Best breweries in Scotland

We track 157 breweries in Scotland. 4 rate Great. Sinnister Brew in Dalkeith leads the list at 4.22 (Great).

The scale

Exceptional
A short list of extraordinary breweries worth planning a trip around.
Great
Consistently produce world-class beer.
Fine
Make genuinely good beer, if not the pint you will still be talking about next year.
Poor
Not bad beer so much as unremarkable beer.
Limited
Most craft beer drinkers pass these by.

1
Sinnister Brew
Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland
Teeny tiny pico sized, barrel aged brewery, ................ Based in Midlothian, Scotland ....... .............................................. ............................. Brewing one off old school imperial barrel aged beers. sometimes with a modern twist,............................ expect to be berated if its "too thin, or not sweet enough" p*ss off if you are expecting that from us .... there are a plyhora of awesome imperial stout breweries doing that style. we are not that........ ..... you'll get a toast if you are above the average rating. below that you'll be ignored at best.. Probably ridiculed if you rate poorly because you don't like the style... hopefully you are like minded enough to have bought our stupidly expensive beer, knowing its going to be what it is........ (I swear we dont make any money off this nonsense, we do it for the love )
Rating
4.22Great
Popularity
Lightly rated
2
Holy Goat Brewing
Dundee, Dundee City Council, Scotland
Holy Goat Brewing produce's high quality beer and is ranked #5 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Foehammer", which is a Russian Imperial Stout and "Goatsmoker", which is a Russian Imperial Stout. Their primary focus is brewing Sours and Dark Beers.
Rating
4.21Great
Popularity
Well rated
3
Vault City Brewing
Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland
Vault City Brewing produce's high quality beer and is ranked #4 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Triple Fruited Mango", which is a Fruited Sour and "Strawberry Sundae", which is a Fruited Sour. Their primary focus is brewing Sours and Dark Beers.
Rating
4.21Great
Popularity
Extremely widely rated
4
No Limits Brewing
Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire Council, Scotland
No Limits Brewing produce's high quality beer and is ranked #3 in Scotland. They are most well known for "The Titan", which is an Imperial New England IPA and "Dani Cali", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
4.12Great
Popularity
Barely rated
5
Newbarns Brewery
Edinburgh, Scotland
Newbarns Brewery produce's good quality beer and is ranked #8 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Super Gold", which is a Pale Lager and "Pilsner Beer", which is a German Pilsner. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.91Fine
Popularity
Well rated
6
Harviestoun Brewery
Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland
Harviestoun Brewery produce's good quality beer and is ranked #10 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Old Engine Oil", which is an English Porter and "Schiehallion", which is a Pale Lager. Their primary focus is brewing Dark Beers and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.89Fine
Popularity
Widely rated
7
Wild Barn
Fort William, Highland Council, Scotland
Wild Barn produce's high quality beer and is ranked #7 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Viking Juice Hazy IPA", which is a Farmhouse IPA and "HPA", which is a Belgian Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Belgian Ales.
Rating
3.88Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
8
Up Front Brewing
Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland
Up Front Brewing produce's fine quality beer and is ranked #15 in Scotland. They are most well known for "DAS IST TECHNO SEX", which is a Fruited Sour and "Ishmael", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing Sours and IPAs.
Rating
3.87Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
9
gallus brewing
Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland
gallus brewing produce's unproven beer and is ranked #38 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Denim Chicken", which is a Table Beer and "Ragin'", which is an American Red Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and IPAs.
Rating
3.87Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
10
Tempest Brewing Co.
Kelso, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Tempest is a triumph of a relentless dedication to quality and consistency. To create a beer with the emphasis on ingredients, production and story is to create the perfect storm; and Tempest have been brewing-up storm after storm for fifteen years. Tempest beers run the gamut from crushable lagers and sours to hoppy IPAs and big barrel-aged brews all crafted with their distinctive style.
Rating
3.82Fine
Popularity
Widely rated
11
Cullach Brewing
Perth, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
Cullach Brewing produce's decent quality beer and is ranked #22 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Tayside IPA", which is a Session IPA and "Apple of Our Aye", which is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.
Rating
3.81Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
12
Traquair House Brewery
Innerleithen, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Traquair House Brewery produce's fine quality beer and is ranked #12 in Scotland. They are most well known for "House Ale", which is a Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy and "Jacobite Ale", which is a Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy. Their primary focus is brewing Strong Ales and Amber Ales.
Rating
3.81Fine
Popularity
Well rated
13
Fierce Beer
Aberdeen, Aberdeen City, Scotland
Fierce Beer produce's good quality beer and is ranked #28 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Cranachan Killer", which is a Fruited Pale Ale and "Moose Mousse", which is an Other Stout. Their primary focus is brewing Dark Beers and IPAs.
Rating
3.79Fine
Popularity
Very widely rated
14
Two Towns Down
Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland
The first brewery in Paisley for 125 years, family owned and operated. Two Towns Down create innovative, interesting and cutting edge beers while drawing inspiration from contemporary and more classic beer brewing philosophies.
Rating
3.79Fine
Popularity
Lightly rated
15
Closet Brewing
Edinburgh, Scotland
Closet Brewing produce's decent quality beer and is ranked #11 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Lost In the Sauce", which is a New England IPA and "Vampire Spa Day", which is a XPA (Extra Pale) Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.79Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
16
Dead End Brew Machine
Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland
Dead End Brew Machine produce's high quality beer and is ranked #8 in Scotland. They are most well known for "DunDeath", which is a Farmhouse Ale and "Sun Gone", which is an Imperial Stout. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.
Rating
3.79Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
17
Simple Things Fermentations
Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland
A small independent brewery based in Glasgow’s Southside, we celebrate the variety of possibilities in brewing and avoid taking the obvious path wherever possible. We're proud to be a Scottish brewery and embrace the vast history that this imparts, but we're progressive, innovative and brew beer for the 21st century. Whatever we do, we do it our way.
Rating
3.78Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
18
Otherworld Brewing
Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland
Otherworld Brewing produce's good quality beer and is ranked #18 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Scottish Smoked Lager", which is a Smoked Lager and "Cryo IPA", which is a New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Sours.
Rating
3.78Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
19
Uile Bheist
Inverness, Highland Council, Scotland
Nestled on the banks of the River Ness, Uile-bheist (Scottish Gaelic for ‘monster’ pronounced Ewl-uh-Vesht). Represents our founder’s lifelong ambition of producing the best artisan whisky and beer in the heart of Inverness, Scotland. Being the first Distillery to grace Inverness in over a century, the Uile-bheist dream was built on the desire to blend traditional techniques with innovative methods. Our sustainability efforts set us apart as we strive to reduce our carbon footprint, all while protecting the beautiful environment we call home. With storytelling at the heart of what we do, we link Scotland’s rich history and folklore with our exceptional products. Uile-bheist is a place where great stories are told over great drinks. Sláinte Mhath!
Rating
3.77Fine
Popularity
Lightly rated
20
Moonwake
Edinburgh, Scotland
We are a modern Scottish brewery, established in 2021 by a team with extensive craft beer and brewing careers. We believe there is a beer out there for everyone. Moonwake means: “the moon’s reflection on a body of water” speaks to the brewery’s Leith Shore location, the importance of water as an ingredient, and our beers’ reflection of our combined experience.
Rating
3.74Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
21
Brew Toon
Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Brew Toon produce's decent quality beer and is ranked #25 in Scotland. They are most well known for "M'ango Unchained", which is a Fruit Beer and "Sour To the People", which is a Fruited Sour. Their primary focus is brewing Sours and IPAs.
Rating
3.74Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
22
Pilot
Edinburgh, Scotland
Pilot produce's fine quality beer and is ranked #17 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Mochaccino Stout", which is a Milk / Sweet Stout and "Peach Melba Sour", which is a Fruited Sour. Their primary focus is brewing Sours and Dark Beers.
Rating
3.74Fine
Popularity
Well rated
23
Campervan Brewery
Edinburgh, Scotland
Campervan Brewery started with a dream, a brew kit, and a 1973 VW Campervan called Olive. After several promising years of brewing around Scotland in the back of Olive, demand grew, and so in 2017 Campervan Brewery was opened in Leith, Edinburgh. Fast forward to today, the brewery has organically expanded to a state-of-the-art 40,000L brewhouse, adjacent taproom and Lost In Leith, our bar and fermentaria. Our 2024 rebrand calls back to our nomadic origins, with travel badge inspired cans capturing the spirit of adventure, showcasing bold designs by local artists. Our core range is available all year round in keg and cans, supplemented with limited releases, collaborative brews and rotating hop combination cask ale.
Rating
3.70Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
24
Dookit Brewing
Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland
Rating
3.69Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
25
Isle Of Eigg Brewery
Isle of Eigg, Highland Council, Scotland
Rating
3.65Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
26
Black Isle Brewery
Munlochy, Highland Council, Scotland
We are the UK's premier organic brewery, making world-class beers from the finest organic malt and hops; grown without chemicals, just as nature intended. Based near Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, it's our beautiful, unspoilt, unpolluted, wild highland home - and we love it!
Rating
3.56Poor
Popularity
Widely rated
27
Seagate Brewery
Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire Council, Scotland
Our Brewing style is unashamedly Belgian with a few Scottish stouts and ales. Handcrafted with the finest ingredients and with great attention to detail. Thanks to all family, friends and brewing colleagues for all their help and support to get us here.. Especially the Belgians.
Rating
3.54Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
28
Cromarty Brewing Co.
Cromarty, Highland Council, Scotland
Cromarty Brewing company is an independent and family run craft brewery, based in the Highlands of Scotland. Our dedication to freshness, flavour and ingredients, together with a deep blend of brewing science, means we create beer that is truly worth believing in.
Rating
3.52Poor
Popularity
Well rated
29
Mah Hoos Brewing Co
Dundee, Angus, Scotland
Rating
3.51Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
30
Boden Brewing
Beith, North Ayrshire Council, Scotland
Boden Brewing is a very small scale nano-brewery near the Velodrome in Glasgow run by me, Eric. I specialise in small batch production of a varied range of styles. You will find my products mostly in Glasgow's southside on tap or in the fridge and at local beer events. Haven't thought needing a brewery motto/mission statement relevant yet (suggetsions on a postcard).
Rating
3.51Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
31
BrewDog
Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
BrewDog is the international, proudly independent beer company founded in Aberdeenshire, Scotland in 2007. Its mission then was the same one it works to today: “To make other people as passionate about great beer as we are”. Based in Ellon, Scotland, BrewDog operates more than 120 bars, hotels and venues worldwide – including flagship locations in London Waterloo and Las Vegas – and has breweries in Ellon Scotland, Columbus Ohio, Berlin Germany, and Brisbane Australia. BrewDog brews hundreds of different beers - led by the “Headliner series”, which includes the flagship Punk IPA, as well as Lost Lager, Wingman and Hazy Jane.
Rating
3.50Poor
Popularity
One of the most-rated breweries anywhere
32
Yikes Brew Co.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Yikes Brew Co. produce's unproven beer and is ranked #49 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Yeah, This Is A Raw Gose", which is a Traditional Gose and "Granton Bay IPA", which is an Other IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Wild Ales.
Rating
3.50Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
33
Black Metal Brewery
Loanhead, Midlothian, Scotland
Black Metal Brewery produce's decent quality beer and is ranked #35 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Yggdrasil", which is an American Pale Ale and "Blood Revenge", which is an Other Stout. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and Dark Beers.
Rating
3.49Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
34
71 Brewing
Dundee, Dundee City Council, Scotland
71 Brewing produce's fairly average beer and is ranked #44 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Luminous Lights", which is a New England IPA and "Luminous Nights", which is an Imperial New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Sours.
Rating
3.49Poor
Popularity
Widely rated
35
Orkney Brewery
Stromness, Orkney, Scotland
The Orkney Brewery was one of Scotland’s first independent micro–breweries and started brewing in 1988, in what was once an old schoolhouse in Quoyloo. We are a genuine island brewery that crafts a superb range of beers. North island values shape our resolute approach to brewing, resulting in world class, award-winning beers. We are honest, resilient, we work hard together and have an innate desire to perfect. We need to get it right first time, every time. We don’t believe in wasting resources and we are friends to the environment we dwell in. We brew iconic Scottish ales Dark Island, Red MacGregor, Dragonhead and Skull Splitter. In addition, we offer progressive pale ale Orkney Gold and the extraordinary Dark Island Reserve, aged in whisky oak casks. Norman Sinclair whose father had actually enjoyed his school years in the same building took over the tenure in 2006. He quickly developed a custom built brewhouse adjoining the schoolhouse and by doing so created the original classroom into a 5 Star visitor centre.
Rating
3.48Poor
Popularity
Widely rated
36
Five Kingdoms
Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Five Kingdoms is a small yet rapidly growing award winning brewery based in the harbourside village of the Isle of Whithorn. We offer a wide range of delicious craft beers in cask, bottle, keg and can. From hoppy and fruity IPA’s to traditional ales to our stronger and dark beers. We are Scotland’s most southerly brewery, fueled by quality and local ingredients and a real passion for beer. We continue to be inspired by our local surroundings, characters, life experiences and often novels which have had an impact on our lives to create interesting label designs.
Rating
3.48Poor
Popularity
Lightly rated
37
Isle Of Harris Brewery
Isle of Harris, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scotland
Isle Of Harris Brewery produce's unproven beer and is ranked #45 in Scotland. They are most well known for "No. 1 India Pale Ale", which is an English IPA and "No. 6 Citra SMASH", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.47Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
38
Fyne Ales
Cairndow, Argyll and Bute Council, Scotland
Fyne Ales produce's unproven beer and is ranked #43 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Jarl", which is a Blonde Ale and "Avalanche", which is a Golden Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and IPAs.
Rating
3.47Poor
Popularity
Widely rated
39
Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen Ashton Lane
Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland
Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen Ashton Lane produce's unproven beer and has a decent variety of ones to choose from. They are most well known for "Pomegranate & Orange Infused Session IPA", which is a Session IPA and "New England IPA", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.46Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
40
Knoydart Brewery
Mallaig, Highland Council, Scotland
Rating
3.45Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
41
Saltrock Brewing
Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Saltrock Brewing produce's unproven beer and is ranked #48 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Clocktower", which is a Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy and "Red Wagon", which is an Irish Red Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Strong Ales and Amber Ales.
Rating
3.44Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
42
Munro Brewing Co.
Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland
We are a family-owned business nestled in Kirriemuir - a little town in Scotland known as "The Gateway to the Glens", and the resting place of Scotland's most famous mountaineer, Sir Hugh Munro, 4th Baronet. We set up the Munro Brewing Co. in 2020 with one objective in mind: "To create beer that gets you out there!" What better way to encourage people to explore and gain a sense of union with the natural world than through great beer. This is exactly what we wanted to do by taking our home brewing to the next level and integrating it with our love of Scotland and the history of our home town. We are incredibly fortunate to have these wild places on our doorstep so let's be sure to enjoy them.
Rating
3.43Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
43
Abernyte Brewery
Perth, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
Donnie and Ian started the Abernyte Brewery back in 2016 when hobby brewing got slightly out of hand. Strongly influenced by Bavarian brewery standards and styles, we use a German-made 500l Braumeister system to run out very small batches of lager and ale. Distribution is limited to the Carse of Gowrie, a rich agricultural area between Perth and Dundee on the North of the Tay estuary.
Rating
3.43Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
44
Borderlands Brewery
Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Rating
3.43Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
45
Natural Selection Brewing Co.
Loanhead, Midlothian, Scotland
Natural Selection brewing is a collaboration between the International Center for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University and Stewart Brewing. It gives an opportunity to postgraduate MSc Brewing and Distilling students to design, market, sell and launch a new beer.
Rating
3.43Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
46
Dog Falls Brewing Co.
Inverness, Highland Council, Scotland
Dog Falls Brewing Co. produce's decent quality beer and is ranked #13 in Scotland. They are most well known for "Colloidoscope", which is a New England Pale Ale and "Inside Line", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Ales and IPAs.
Rating
3.42Poor
Popularity
Lightly rated
47
Walkie Talky Brewing Co.
Musselburgh, East Lothian Council, Scotland
Walkie Talky Brewing Co produce's unproven beer and is ranked #48 in Scotland. They are most well known for "It Takes 2", which is an Imperial IPA and "ONE-er", which is a Blonde Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.40Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
48
Kerr's Farm Brewed Ales
Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Kerr’s Farm Brewed Ales is a family-owned brewery founded in 2022 in the countryside of Midlothian, Scotland. We brew flavour-forward ales, both modern and traditional, with a focus on cask ale. We endeavour to use local ingredients as far as possible, in particular locally grown Scottish malt and UK hops. Our entire range is 100% vegan, including our cask ales!
Rating
3.40Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
49
Keller Brewing
Edinburgh, Scotland
Rating
3.38Poor
Popularity
Barely rated
50
Loomshed Brewery
Isle of Harris, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scotland
Loomshed’s home is the Outer Hebrides. Go to the very north west corner of Scotland and turn left for 30 miles out into the Atlantic. Rugged granite mountains, soaring eagles, deep sea lochs and endless white-sand beaches. A special place where you maintain traditions, respect the elements and look out for each other. Loomshed aims to bring you a flavour of our home. Delicious products, honest rather than fancy that rekindle memories of the Hebrides wherever you are in the world.
Rating
3.37Poor
Popularity
Barely rated