Edinburgh brewery's Iron Brew Sour named among UK's top 50 beers
- Guild Secretary
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
Edinburgh brewery Vault City Brewing has been named in the We Are Beer Top 50 UK Beers 2026, with its flagship Iron Brew Sour ranking 16th among the UK's best beers.
The recognition marks Vault City's third consecutive year in the Top 50, following Triple Fruited Mango, which ranked 22nd in 2024 and 10th in 2025.
Inspired by Scotland's favourite soft drink, Iron Brew Sour has become one of Vault City's signature beers, building a cult following with its nostalgic flavour and bold Scottish identity.
An Edinburgh brewery's cult Iron Brew Sour has been named one of the best beers in the UK.
Vault City Brewing, based in Penicuik, has been recognised in We Are Beer's Top 50 UK Beers 2026 list, with its flagship Iron Brew Sour landing at 16th.
The annual list celebrates the standout beers across the UK, recognising quality, brand strength and momentum, with winners decided by a mix of industry experts, trade buyers and drinkers.
The latest accolade marks the third consecutive year that Vault City has featured in the We Are Beer Top 50 UK Beers list, following Triple Fruited Mango, which placed 22nd in 2024 before climbing to 10th in 2025.
It marks a major moment for the Scottish sour beer specialist, whose bright orange Iron Brew Sour has become one of its most recognisable releases since first launching in 2020.
Inspired by Scotland's best-loved soft drink, the beer has developed a loyal following thanks to its nostalgic flavour, bubblegum notes and tongue-in-cheek Scottish identity.
Iron Brew Sour has become a regular fixture for Vault City, with the brewery releasing new variations each January around Burns Night.
Previous versions have included Iron Brew Raspberry Ripple, Bubblegum Brew and Iron Brew Export Strength, with the original now a permanent fixture on the brewery's website.
Steven Smith-Hay, co-founder of Vault City, said: "We're so happy to see Iron Brew Sour recognised in the Top 50 UK Beers list.
"It started as a cheeky nod to a flavour every Scottish person knows, but it's become one of those beers people really associate with Vault City. Seeing it go from a fun seasonal idea to one of the standout beers in the UK is a brilliant moment for the team.
"It's always great to see how much people connect with it, whether that's in bars, bottle shops or online. There's a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in it, but it's also a beer we're really proud of in its own right."
The full We Are Beer Top 50 UK Beers 2026 list will see prizes for winners handed out at London Craft Beer Festival on 17 July.
Notes to editors
Vault City Brewing is a modern sour beer brewery based in Edinburgh, known for bold flavours, nostalgic releases and fruit-forward beers.
Iron Brew Sour is 5.5% ABV and inspired by Scotland's best-selling soft drink.
Free half pints of Fiery Ginger Iron Brew Sour Beer will be available to adults with natural or dyed red hair from 12–14 June at The Wee Vault in Edinburgh, Blue Monk in London and The Volley in London, while stocks last.
The We Are Beer Top 50 UK Beers list celebrates standout beers across the UK, recognising quality, brand and upward trajectory.
Images:
For more information:
Issued on behalf of Vault City by Story Shop. For more information or interviews, contact Madeleine Dunne at madeleine@wearestoryshop.com
Third-party news items are published as received for informational purposes. Publication does not imply endorsement by the Guild. Please use the contact details within the post for any enquiries.
Comments