One of Belhaven’s most iconic beers will lift the curtain on a dramatic new look this August – just in time for the historic Dunbar-based brewery’s residency in the Capital as the official beer sponsor of the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe.
Following the refresh of Belhaven Best several months ago, Scotland’s oldest working brewery has announced it will unveil a similarly bold new design for Belhaven Black: celebrated as the number one Scottish stout thanks to its rich, smooth, velvety character and creamy head.
Stout is currently enjoying a moment as the fastest growing category in beer, with volume growth of + 20.4% – and Belhaven Black reporting an impressive 88.8% volume growth well ahead of the category (*).
The striking new design was inspired by this success, and Belhaven’s wish to celebrate the history and future potential of its distinctively different stout – which is brewed at 4.2% with a unique blend of malts to give delicious notes of dark chocolate and coffee.
Belhaven Black’s new identity has been created in partnership with the specialist Scottish drinks agency Thirst and takes inspiration from over 300 years of brewing at Belhaven. It features swirls bursting from the brewery’s iconic malting chimneys – a feature since 1719 – which reflect the depth and drama of the beer when it’s poured in the glass.
Adding to the excitement in August, the Belhaven team has also confirmed that drinkers can look forward to a first peek of new look Belhaven Black during their show-stopping appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe – where the brewery’s full range of beers will served up at The Belhaven Bar on the Mound.
Located in a prime position next to the National Gallery of Scotland and Princes Street Gardens throughout August, the pop-up bar is serving up a slice of Belhaven’s East coast home right in the heart of the city – including perfectly served beers, a stylish seating area and a mini crazy golf course.
Commenting on the exciting summer that lies ahead, Fiona Matheson, Belhaven Brand Manager said: ‘Fresh from our re-brand of Belhaven Best a few months ago, this is another huge milestone for our brewery, and a sign of the ambition we have for our much-loved Scottish stout, Belhaven Black. We’ve been producing stout here in Dunbar since the mid-1800s, but there has been an incredible surge in interest in recent years, particularly amongst younger drinkers who are looking for character and flavour from their beer – both of which Belhaven Black delivers brilliantly. We’re also seeing rapid growth for Belhaven Black south of the border, so we believe that this striking new look will only add to the wind that is currently in the sails of Scotland’s number one Scottish stout!
‘In addition, the opportunity to unveil this new design along with the recently refreshed Belhaven Best, and many of our other award-winning beers, during the Edinburgh Fringe is another huge moment for the Belhaven team. We’ve been brewing beer for over 300 years just down the coast from the festival city, so to have such a prominent presence right in the heart of the action this year is a real thrill. We can’t wait to play our part in one of the world’s greatest cultural celebrations and to refresh thousands of Fringe fans throughout August.’
Matt Burns, Executive Creative Director of Thirst Craft added: ‘Thirst have been enormously proud to partner with Belhaven Brewery, a heritage brand with real heart and soul to go along with their centuries of brewing prowess. Having created a new design for Belhaven Best that truly brings out the best in the brand, we were thrilled to extend the refresh to Belhaven Black with a new identity that builds upon Belhaven’s unique story and the exceptional quality of the liquid. To showcase this for the first time at the Edinburgh Fringe, where Scotland’s vibrancy and creativity are on show for the world to see, is a fantastic opportunity.’
From August, new look Belhaven Black will feature on glassware, tap handles, fonts and a wide range of materials in bars around Scotland. In addition to the Belhaven Bar on the Mound, Fringe drinkers can enjoy a special Belhaven walking tour in partnership with Exploring Edinburgh, which provides a map of pubs around the city where they can enjoy a pint from Scotland’s historic brewery.
** CGA OPM Total Beer MAT June 2023
The Belhaven Bar on the Mound will operate from 05 – 27 August between 12:00 and 21:00.
To download a copy of the Belhaven Edinburgh Fringe walking tour go to https://www.belhavenpubs.co.uk/discover/edinburgh-fringe-walking-tour/
www.instagram.com/belhavenbrews/
www.facebook.com/belhavenbrews
https://twitter.com/belhavenbrews
| For further information please contact Burt Greener Communications:
Rachael Tyrrell / rachael@burtgreener.co.uk / 07818 075606 Lorna Burt / lorna@burtgreener.co.uk / 07792 253818 |
| @burtgreener |
ABOUT BELHAVEN
Belhaven is Scotland’s oldest continuously working brewery, established in 1719 and known today as ‘The Home of Scottish Brewing’. After over 300 years, it is still brewing some of the nation’s favourite beers at this historic site – including Scotland’s No.1 ale Belhaven Best and No.1 stout, Belhaven Black.
Situated in Dunbar on East Lothian’s golden coastline, next to Belhaven Bay and just 20 miles from Edinburgh, Belhaven’s small, skilled team draws on centuries of Scottish brewing heritage. They use 100% Scottish malted barley and unique Belhaven yeast to make beers that are bursting with flavour and Scottish character.
The modern-day Belhaven brewers also balance tradition with a drive for innovation and creativity. The result is an ever-evolving, award-wining range of over 20 wonderfully balanced beers, which are recognised for their quality the world over. Recent accolades include Gold medals for Belhaven Scottish Ale and Belhaven Scottish Oat Stout at the 2022 Monde Selection Awards; and Belhaven Scottish Oat Stout being named ‘World’s Best Oat Stout’ at the World Beer Awards 2022.
Belhaven has been part of Greene King since 2005 and today, the brewery exports nearly a third of all the beer it produces to over 45 countries around the world. The brewery opened a popular Visitor Experience in November 2021, which was recognised for excellence shortly after with 4 Star Quality Assurance status from VisitScotland. It also scooped ‘Visitor Attraction of the Year’ in the 2022 World Beer Awards ‘Icons of Beer’ competition: one of the industry’s highest accolades.
For further information please contact Burt Greener Communications:
Rachael Tyrrell / rachael@burtgreener.co.uk / 07818 075606
Lorna Burt / lorna@burtgreener.co.uk / 07792 253818
Third-party news items that are posted on the Guild website’s news section come from press releases received by the Guild. These press releases are posted as they have been received and their publication on the Guild website is intended as an informational service provided to our members and website visitors. As such, the publication of a story from a third-party source is neither an endorsement of the content, nor its sender, by the Guild. For enquiries on any news item, please use the contact details that can be found at the bottom of each post.