THE
ARRAN BREWERY
Claddach,
Brodick
Contact: Elizabeth & Richard Roberts
Tel: 01770 302353
Fax: 01770 302653
Email: info@arranbrewery.co.uk
Web: www.arranbrewery.com
The
brew begins with hops, malted barley and wheat. All are displayed in
jars in the visitor centre adjoining this microbrewery which has already
won ten awards since it opened in 1999. Take the lid off the jars for
a sniff and you get a sense of complex aromas used to make the brew.
Of course Arran water, pure and unadulterated, is the other vital ingredient
in this traditional microbrewery process which uses no artificial additives.
First
the malted barley or wheat is mixed with water to make the 'wort' which
is heated in a giant copper 'kettle'. While the brew is heating up,
hops are added for bitterness and to give the beer a distinctive flavour.
Fermented, conditioned and casked or bottled, this completes the process
which you can watch from a viewing gallery.
And
once you've enjoyed the scents and sights in the making, there is a
sampling counter for the tasting of the three different beers:
Arran
Blond (Alc: 5.0% vol): Delicate floral hop aroma. A subtle, well-balanced
finish with a good hop character. A pale golden beer, clear tasting
in a Continental style.
(2001 Champion Wheat Beer of Britain and 2002 Best British Bottled Beer
- awarded by the Society for Independent Brewers Association)
Arran Dark (Alc: 4.3% vol): Rich aroma of malt and hops with rich fruit.
Full malt with a deep, bitter-sweet finish. A traditional style Scottish
'heavy' beer.
Arran
Ale (Alc: 3.8% vol): Perfumed hop aroma. Delicate balance of malt and
fruit with a dry hop finish. A pale amber coloured refreshing 'session'
ale.
Distribution:
Retail and Wholesale
On Arran: Cask ale available at: Brodick Bar, Ormidale Hotel, Duncan's
Bar, Brodick Golf Club (Brodick), Catacol Bay Hotel, Lochranza Hotel,
Ingldene Hotel (Sannox), Breadalbane Hotel (Kildonan), Auchrannie Cruize
Bar, Wineport, Lamlash Golf Club, Camerionia, Kildonan Hotel, Corrie
Hotel, Blackwaterfoot Lodge Hotel.
Bottled widely available.
Delivery
Area: Local and National
Visitor Centre open:
Mon-Sat 9.30 to 5.00.
Sunday 12.00-5.00