Belhaven brewery is situated 30 miles along the east coast from Edinburgh in the town of Dunbar. Famous throughout Scotland for their Best beer, and now owned by Greene King, the brewery has a long history of producing many types of ale throughout it’s history as an independent brewer. In recent years this has dwindled significantly, but with Greene King’s guidance and the knowledge that cask ale is bucking the current trend of downward spending, a few bottled beers are to be found on the shelves!
One of these is Robert Bruns Ale: produced in celebration of the Bard and available this year in plenty time for the 250th anniversary of his birth. A rich, sweet malt flavour which complements haggis, neeps and tatties as well as it would any hearty Scottish meal – but equally good on it’s own!
The second in Caledonian’s monthly specials in 2009, this brew is named for the Six Nations rugby tournament. Possibly brewed with the intention to celebrate magnificent Scottish wins – Murrayfield Stadium being situated little more than a mile from the brewery – but will unfortunately more likely be used for drowning of tartan sorrows! With the various cut-backs in the working at the Caledonian brewery as a result of the recent acquisition by Scottish and Newcastle (now owned by Heineken) it’s good to see that a full programme of seasonal beers is planned this year.