Drygate launches with core range of three craft beers
By Gillian McKenzie
WHAT’S claimed to be the UK’s first “experiential” craft brewery opened its doors in Glasgow’s east end last week.
Located on the site of a former box factory next to Tennent’s Wellpark brewery, Drygate is an independent joint venture between Tennent’s owner C&C Group and Williams Brothers Brewing Co.
The £2 million brewery comprises the main 24-hectolitre brew kit, which can produce up to one million litres of craft beer a year, and a smaller scale studio kit, with a capacity of 2.5HL, which will be used by Drygate’s brewers to create guest brews and, from next month, opened to groups of consumers to brew their own beer.
The 120-cover Vintage at Drygate bar and kitchen has 24 beer taps featuring beers from Drygate as well as a range of craft producers, a craft beer-inspired menu and a floor to ceiling glass window looking into the brewery.
Upstairs there’s a 24-tap beer hall, outdoor terrace and a 300-capacity events space.
Drygate launched with a core range of three beers: the 4.4% ABV Bearface Lager, Gladeye IPA, which has an ABV of 5.5%, and the 4.7% ABV Outaspace Apple Ale.
The beers, which were developed at Williams Bros’ Alloa brewery ahead of Drygate’s launch, are available in 500ml bottle and keg format in the brewery’s bar and restaurant, and in 500ml bottles from the on-site bottle shop.
The core range will be available to the trade from next month, directly from Drygate.
Operations director Colin Johnston told SLTN the range of Drygate beers will expand as it trials new brews created by its three brewers: Ed Evans, Jake Griffin and Alessandra Confessore.
“The studio kit is an amazing opportunity for the brewers to experiment and, as we start to brew, we’ll start to see more Drygate beers on the bar,” he said.
“Having the bar here gives us instant consumer feedback.
“We might have a five-keg batch of something from the studio kit and, if it flies, move it onto the main kit.
“It allows us to be very fluid; every week there will be something new.”
