Glasgow is well-known for it’s quality lager’s - everyone knows that Tennent’s, the lager darling of Scotland, is proudly brewed in Glasgow’s East End - but what about the rest of the incredible yet often overlooked Glasgow breweries?
Of course you’ve got your better-known famous breweries like Wellpark and West on the Green - but this list will take a look at not only the biggest, but the best breweries you can visit in Glasgow. Whether they’re brewing lager out of a shed or a massive warehouse complex, Glasgow brews beer best.
Glasgow tourism company, Experience Glasgow, created the Glasgow Beer trail - aspecially designed digital map and accompanying website which serves as a guidei to Glasgow’s incredible beer landscape, featuring a curated selection of 14 of the city’s most outstanding breweries, as well as spots to buy their products!
Experience Glasgow Food & Drink Lead, Anh Nguyen said: “As the craft beer revolution continues to flourish in the UK, Glasgow stands out as a hub for innovation and exceptional craft brews.
“Join us on our new trail to journey through Glasgow’s beer culture and beyond, where each sip is a story waiting to be shared, and each step uncovers a new facet of this vibrant city”.
For a digital guided map, check out the Glasgow Beer Trail website.
Here are list of 15 of the best breweries you can visit in Glasgow’s East End, Southside, West End, and City Centre - as well as one brewery that’s a bit further afield!
5. EAST END: West on the Green
As well as sitting in the middle of one of the city’s oldest parks, Glasgow Green, the brewery also sits within one of Glasgow’s most unusual buildings, the Templeton Carpet Factory’s design is based on the Doge’s Palace in Venice. It is the only brewery in UK to brew its beers according to Reinheitsgebot – the German Purity Laws of 1516, which states that only water, hops and yeast may be used. So you can imagine it has some of the finest beers in the city. The Original West Brewery Tour costs £15pp and consists of a 45-min tour and a tasting of 3 WEST beers whilst the WEST Experience includes the tour, a 3 course meal from the St. Mungo Menu and a pint of any WEST beer for £45pp. | WEST
6. CITY CENTRE: Shilling Brewing Company
Shilling Brewing Company’s main beers are brewed just meters from where you drink. They also make a point of showcasing their large copper vats. They have enough room to also allow events and private tastings to take place in their Brewers Room. Tours take place of the microbrewery where you’ll be introduced to a variety of malts and hops. You’ll then be guided through a Shilling beer flight tasting session in the Brewers Room. Available Mon – Thurs from 5.30pm and all day Sunday. An advance booking is required min with a minimum 2 weeks notice at £25 per person. | Glasgow Convention Bureau
7. SOUTHSIDE: Bungo Brewing Co.
This small, independent brewery is situated near Queen’s Park. The brewery started in the spring of 2021 by four friends with a love of beer. They source all their ingredients as close to the brewery as possible and then sell onto local off licence premises and pubs. As well as producing a range of beers they manufacture a whisky barrel barley wine. Their beers are only available through: Wee Beer Shop, Southside Drinks Company, Curious Liquids, Marchtown, Grunting Growler, and Koelschip Yard. | Contributed
8. SOUTHSIDE: Spectra Brewing Company
This is an independent micro brewery situated in Clarkston. The owner Alex says its ‘where physics and beer collide’. The brewery was founded in 2020 with assistance from the brewing community in Glasgow. Alex aims to blend American hop-led IPA’s with Scottish brewing heritage, topped off with a modern twist. The beers are available online via their website or at: Curious Liquids, Wee Beer Shop, and Alison Arms. | Spectra Brewing Company