Caledonian Brewery: From Humble Beginnings to Scottish Icon

Caledonian Brewery has a rich history that spans over 150 years. Founded in 1869 by James Thorne, the brewery was initially based in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town.

The brewery's early success can be attributed to its innovative approach to brewing, which included using a new type of yeast that improved the quality and consistency of its beers.

Caledonian Brewery's commitment to quality and innovation has remained a core part of its identity over the years. Today, the brewery is still family-owned and operated, with a focus on producing high-quality beers that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

As a result of its dedication to quality and innovation, Caledonian Brewery has become a beloved and iconic Scottish brand.

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Caledonian Brewery has a rich history that spans over 150 years. It was one of more than 40 breweries in Edinburgh, Scotland when it opened in 1869.

The brewery was known as Lorimer and Clark's Caledonian Brewer at the time and was able to draw its brewing water from a series of underground wells known as the Charmed Circle. Today, it's the only one of these breweries to have survived.

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The brewery's Victorian tower design is a unique feature that sets it apart from other breweries. It's the last brewery in Britain to have direct-fired open coppers, which have a hand-beaten inner dome that concentrates the heat and develops a constant churn and roll of the boiling wort.

This distinctive brewing method imparts a toffee-like malt flavor to the beers, a characteristic that connoisseurs appreciate. The flames are now from gas jets, but coal was used until the late 1980s.

The brewery has faced its share of challenges, including two disastrous fires in 1994 and 1998. It was rebuilt and survived other changes in ownership, including being sold to Vaux of Sunderland in 1919 and later being bought back by Caledonian in 1999.

In 2002, the company's Deuchars IPA won the Campaign for Real Ale's Champion Beer of Britain award. This was a significant achievement for the brewery, which has continued to produce high-quality beers over the years.

Here's a timeline of key events in the brewery's history:

Caledonian Brewery was known for its well-regarded beers. Deuchars IPA was one of their most popular brews.

They also produced 80/-, which was later rebadged as Edinburgh Castle. This change in branding is worth noting.

Flying Scotsman was another beer in their lineup. Caledonian Brewery offered a range of seasonal beers, perfect for trying new flavors throughout the year.

Their monthly guest ales were a great way to mix things up and try something new. These beers were brewed in limited quantities, adding to their appeal.

Here are some of the notable beer brands from Scotland that Caledonian Brewery produced:

Caledonian Brewery is a historic and iconic brewery that has been brewing beer in Edinburgh, Scotland since 1869. It was one of over 40 breweries in the city at the time.

The brewery's unique brewing water comes from a series of underground wells known as the Charmed Circle. Today, Caledonian is the only one of these breweries to have survived.

Caledonian is a Victorian tower brewery, and it's the last brewery in Britain to have direct-fired open coppers. These kettles have a hand-beaten inner dome that concentrates the heat and develops a constant churn and roll of the boiling wort.

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In 2004, the brewery site and production facilities were bought by Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), following their closure of the McEwan's Brewery in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh.

Production of McEwan's ales was transferred to the Caledonian Brewery. This marked a significant change for the company, as it had to adapt to new ownership and facilities.

The Caledonian Brewing Company (CBC) was formed by several former shareholders and directors of the pre-2004 business, and it owned the Caledonian brands. CBC operated the brewery site on behalf of the owners, with S&N taking a 30% share in the business.

In January 2006, the Caledonian Brewing Company purchased the Harviestoun Brewery based in Alva, makers of Bitter and Twisted. This acquisition expanded the company's portfolio of beers.

S&N bought the remaining shares in CBC in 2008, taking full control of the company. The brands remained unaffected, and brewing continued at the site.

Harviestoun was retained by Caledonian's shareholders to run as a separate concern, even after the takeover by S&N.

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The Caledonian Brewery has a rich history that spans over 150 years. It was one of more than 40 breweries in Edinburgh, Scotland, when it opened in 1869.

Caledonian is the last brewery in Britain to have direct-fired open coppers, which are still used today, although the flames are now from gas jets. These coppers have a hand-beaten inner dome that concentrates the heat and develops a constant churn and roll of the boiling wort.

The brewery survived two disastrous fires in 1994 and 1998 and was rebuilt. In 1919 it was sold to the English brewer Vaux of Sunderland.

Caledonian won the Campaign for Real Ale's Champion Beer of Britain award in 2002 for its Deuchars IPA. However, it's worth noting that Deuchars IPA is not actually an IPA at all.

Here's a brief timeline of the brewery's ownership:

In May 2022, Heineken proposed the closure of the historic Caledonian brewery site, marking the end of a site that had been home to brewing for over 150 years.