My motorhome tour of Scotland has now taken me, literally, the length and breadth of the nation to seek out some of the best Scots craft beers – a route taking in the famous John O’Groats.
John O’Groats is situated at the northerly end point of the longest journey that can be completed on the British mainland – a full 874 miles from Land’s End in Cornwall, south-west England. In fact, as we were leaving it in the motorhome, there was a hitch-hiker standing by the side of the road, holding a piece of cardboard on which he had scrawled, somewhat optimistically, in marker pen, ‘Land’s End’. That made me laugh!
Craft beer has really come on around the Scottish regions since I was last here. There is now an extensive range of locally produced ales, and most areas I’ve visited have their own home brewed specialities.
This being a food and drink-inspired blog, I’ve considered it my duty to sample a fair few of these on our travels, so that I can offer my readers an honest appraisal. A labour of love, I guess. I know, it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Don’t mention it – you’re welcome.
So we’ll start in John O’Groats itself, where the iconic signpost shown in my photograph is only about 100 yards from the John O’Groats Brewery Visitor Experience. It hosts an exhibition celebrating the range of beers that are brewed on site. This is a selection I took away to enjoy with my evening bbqs.
Here’s another beer I bought and enjoyed of an evening as the sun was setting in the Cairngorms National Park. Wildcat is brewed in Aviemore (the winter ski resort) and has a deep colour, good body and malty taste.
St. Andrews in Fife may be better known as the ancient birthplace of golf, but these days it is also home to the St. Andrews Brewing Co. I first discovered their tap room in nearby Dundee, just across the Tay estuary, and later picked up this tasty IPA while visiting St. Andrews itself.
My overall favourite on this trip, however (cue drum roll….) is the Joker IPA, brewed in Alloa by the Williams Brothers Brewing Co. I found it to be golden, well balanced, hoppy and full of flavour. Guaranteed to satisfy, and I was a repeat customer on more than one occasion.
I described making my critical assessment of some of Scotland’s best craft beers as a labour of love. What better track to add to the ADK Playlist than this one from Pat and Greg Kane from Lanarkshire, better known as Hue and Cry: Labour of Love. Cheers, lads!
A Different Kitchen 