So, a couple of months back me and J got out of bed on the Saturday and dragged ourselves to the Tesco A Taste Of Scotland food fayre on George Square. We had a whale of a time scoffing free nosh and partaking of the many free samples of fine beers and whisky’s from around the country. The few wines there were not available for tasting so boo to the wine producers. TBH, we were quite cheery when we left. But, as we were going to be out late (going to the late showing of Let The Right One In) we didn’t buy anything. Next day, we just managed to haul ass and get there before they stopped letting folk in. There was then a whirlwind dash round to pick up the various beers we wanted buy. It may have been sponsored by a major supermarket chain, but they certainly don’t stock everything we had liked (certainly not the huge 24 hour one we’ve got). Anyhoo, here are the boys (note: all unopened, so no idea why they’re so blurry).

Broughton Brewery (you might want to look to that website) is the home of one of my favourite Scottish Ales: Old Jock. This weekend they were punting their award winning (a common theme) Champion Double Ale. This is a new one to me. We picked up a pack of 8 for £10. Win already!. But is the beer any good. Yes, very. A lovely deep red/black colour with a nice caramac head. A good mincemeat nose to it. And, rich fruits and chocolate in the taste, bit of a hoppy aftertaste. Although not too heavy and quite light on the fizz. Damn tasty. The kind of beer I wish my local sold.

Onto 8 mixed bottles from the Williams Brothers of Alloa (another pretty dull site, but not as bad as the one we were looking at back then). Famous for Fraoch which is thankfully not included here (it’s a fine beer, but we think we’ve drank enough of it in our time). We had quite a nice chat with the bloke that was on Oz & James Drink To Britain. My great uncle worked in the Alloa brewery so I find this potted history pf SCotland’s second brewing epicentre (after Edinburgh – we don’t have the water apparently). He keeps feeding us the Midnight Sun in the hope we’ll get the ginger in there. J can see it I can’t. But, it’s another very lovely porter style beer. Fruit, hops, vanilla and, yes, spices but not specifically ginger. I get the gooseberry in the Grozet. Bang, can’t miss that. Clean and refreshing, had we kept this it would have gone down a treat frosty when we had the summer a few weeks back. There’s a brilliantly floral hops packed IPA in there, the name of which escapes me. And, my surprise favorite, the Red. A good dry hopppy edge and a splendid breakfast beer. Some lovely labels from these guys too.

We sampled some stuff from the Arran Brewery and the non-Ab branded Arran blonde (considerably less fizzy) was fab. They’d packed up by the time we were buying, though. And another dull website.

Next up, for us, the main reason for being here: Brew Dog. As their, rather smashing, website says Beer was never meant to be bland, tasteless and apathetic. Amen, brothers, amen. If you are not familiar with the works of this lot, shame on you. Some of the finest ales in this country ar coming out of their Lossiemouth brewery. We’re particualrly fond of the awesome Rip Tide twisted merciless stout. At tthis bash they’re pushing their new Zeitgeist dark lager. We don’t do enough decent (nevermind dark) lager in this country. This stuff rocks. If you look around at the fayre you’ll see two tediously bored dolly-burds at the Tennents stand. No-one’s touching their filth. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.

What we’re hoping for is to try the Paradox, the imerial stout matured in whisky casks. They do not disappoint and we make off with a dozen bottles for £20. Later when buying some more I resent not having brought the car and filled it with the stuff. This is the Isle Of Arran batch (No 16, apparently). It’s awesome. Rich chocolate and licorice bite. Thick and smooth with, obvious whisky overtones. I love this beer. It even encouraged me to buy the whisky which is damn fine too.

Orkney Brewery make seriously quaffable (and much maligned) Skullsplitter and the excellent Dark Island. Go anywhere outside the central belt and you’ll find stuff this good on draught everywhere. Why do we get landed with the tosh? While enjoying some samples of the latter on the Saturday we spot for sale the limited edition Special Reserve. It’s a handmade version, matured in Orkney malt whisky barrels. It is also £15 a bottle. We scoff at it, but it plays on my mind. So, come Sunday, a bottle is bought. By the gods, it is special. A thick dense subtle whack in the face. All round chocolates and vanilla playing with the malt and that deep spicy citrus of the Orkney whisky. I would encourage anyone even tempted to treat themselves to a bottle of this. At least you’ll have a good anecdote.

So, some excellent brews. Beer in this country is looking more interesting than ever. If only hostelries would cotton on. A winner? Not really. But, if pushed I’d have to go for the Paradox. Much as the Special reserve is so much more (again) special, I’ve been enjoying the different characteristics bestowed upon the beer from the different barrels (now tried Springbank and Speyside) that it keeps giving. And, hey, recyling!