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The only commercial craft brewery in the capital of Scotch malt whisky country opens this week.
Speyside Craft Brewery is the creation of a Scots chemistry student keen to see his home patch of Moray Speyside become famous for more than great whisky.
Seb Jones, 25, will be launching two beers this week, Randolph’s Leap lager – named after a popular local beauty spot – and Moray IPA. More are planned to reflect the area’s icons.
A former Aberdeen University chemistry student, he had considered following many of his peers into the petro-chemical industry.
But he said that he always felt drawn to doing something different with his expertise, and settled on increasing the area’s burgeoning food and drink reputation. In addition to hosting more single malt whisky distilleries than anywhere else in Scotland, Moray is home to household names such as Baxters foods and Walkers shortbread.
Toasting the launch of his first two beers, he said it’s a wonder the area has not had its own brewery for so long.
“I’m using the same remarkably pure water as many of the distilleries for the beer, and our trial brews have been very successful,” he said.
“With Speyside’s worldwide reputation for the finest malts, the lack of a proper brewery is the one key ingredient missing from the area.
“I want my beers to be sold far and wide in the UK and abroad, and by carrying names synonymous with the area I hope it attracts people to visit Moray.
The brewery is the only one in Morayshire, the nearest commercial brewery at Tomintoul, Banffshire having closed down nearly ten years ago.
Speyside Craft Brewery will start with a weekly capacity of 4,200 pints, and beers will be available in bottles and casks from all good bars and off-licences. Distribution of bottles is through Elgin-based
Moray MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, said that the food and drink sector was one of Scotland’s most important growth areas.
“Scotland’s food & drink sector is of critical importance to our economy. Here in Moray we have many world-renowned brands and it is fantastic to see a young entrepreneur like Seb tapping into that strong reputation and the demand for quality produce.
“There is a market for craft brewing that can be exploited with good quality products and strong marketing, and I know that Seb has a huge amount of enthusiasm for this new business as well as his knowledge and technical expertise of brewing.
“I wish Seb every success for the future with his new addition to Moray’s very varied food and drink larder!”
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