Fowler's Ales (Prestoungrange) Limited
The Gothenburg, 227-229 High Street, Prestonpans EH32 9BE
Phone: (0) 1875 819922
Website: www.prestoungrange.org/fowlers
The microbrewery attached to the Prestoungrange Gothenburg pub in
Prestonpans is truly a unique venture. The brewery's namesake is in honor of
John Fowler & Company of Prestonpans that brewed famous ales from 1745 to
1962. While the recipes are not from the originals, the Fowler tradition of
fine real ales is proudly upheld. The first brew was presented to the public
in May of 2004.
One of the original head brewers at Fowler's was Iain Turnbull, previously associated with the short-lived Fisherrow Brewery in Edinburgh that ceased operations a short time ago after the sad loss of partner David Murray. Brewing is now overseen by none other than George Thompson of Brewing Solutions, who built and installed the brewery plant, and Craig Allan, both graduates of Heriot-Watt University.
A unique feature is the opportunity to participate in one of the brewery's "BrewSets" wherein brewer hopefuls (over the age of 18) undergo a training program conducted by Iain in which they brew upwards of 100 gallons of beer. Each student is assigned homework from the Fowler's Brewer's Manual (available in PDF on the company's website) and receives a Certificate of Accomplishment.
The "Goth" also has a fascinating history behind it which is detailed on the company's website including lots of images of the pub prior to and after its recent restoration. It dates back to a Temperance experiment in Scotland of "importing" the Gothenburg concept from 19th-century Sweden.
Products (descriptions abridged from the company's website):
- Gothenburg Porter - 4.4% ABV
- Swedish style porter with pronounced roasted barley character
- Prestonpans 80/- - 4.2% ABV
- Classic Scottish style export with caramel notes and green hoppy finish
- Prestonpans IPA - 4.1% ABV
- Pale straw colored India Pale Ale with complex hop bitterness and dry hop aroma