Wednesday April 17th 2024
Colin Beattie MSP (left) with Steve Stewart of Stewart Brewing.
Colin Beattie MSP, Midlothian North & Musselburgh, writes his monthly column for Midlothian View
I recently had the pleasure of visiting two breweries in Midlothian. Stewart Brewing in Loanhead and Jump Ship Brewing near Pathhead. In recent years there has been a growth in the brewing sector in our area. My constituency is home to seven active and relatively new independent brewing companies. This is fantastic news for the area and gives me great pleasure to be buying locally made beers.
At Stewart Brewing, I was given a tour of the impressive operations in Loanhead by Steve Stewart. Stewart Brewing has experienced impressive growth in its operations and has become a common sight in pubs and shops all over Scotland. Not only is Stewarts renowned for its exceptional beer, but it also boasts an excellent pizza restaurant on-site that I highly encourage people to visit. It is no surprise that Stewarts Brewing has become an important employer locally and one of the largest independent breweries in Scotland, a testament to their dedication to quality.
At Jump Ship Brewing, I was fascinated to learn from Sonja Mitchell (Managing Director/Beer Admiral) about their focus on non-alcoholic beer production. Sonja told me that she was “delighted to make our home here in Pathhead, Midlothian, and we look forward to welcoming people in for brewery tours and market days”.
This brewery has made waves in the industry and their Yardarm beer was awarded best no and low alcohol lager in the World Beer Awards 2021, beating global brands in the process. Their commitment to crafting top-tier brews that cater to different tastes and preferences is truly commendable and I note their commitment to giving at least 10% their profits to charity.
The Scottish Parliament is progressing with the Tied Pubs Act, that was passed in 2021 that will give pub tenants more freedom to choose the lease which best suits their needs and diversify the number of products they can sell in their pubs. This will help with the viability of pubs and independent brewing operations in Scotland. We will continue to champion the independent sector in Scotland.
I urge everyone to explore our local brewing scene. While you are savouring a pint and a pizza at Stewarts Brewing or enjoying the award-winning offerings of Jump Ship Brewing you are also supporting local businesses employing people where we live.
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