Isle of Arran Brewing Company Limited
The
Isle of Arran Brewery opened to full production in February of 2000 and is
the project of Richard and Elisabeth Roberts. During the six years prior
to its opening, Richard did his own research, took
brewing courses and worked in a couple of breweries to build experience
while he developed the concept for the Arran Brewery.
This purpose-built microbrewery operates using equipment purchased from the defunct Tipsy Toad Town House brewpub in St. Helier, Jersey and has a 20-barrel capacity. The mash tun sits on the upper of the brewery's two floors facilitating run-off of the wort to the copper that is on the ground floor below. A unique piece of equipment in the brewery is what is called a valentine, a manually operated device that utilizes gravity to control the rate of flow of the run-off. The hot liquor tank and the copper are both steam-heated. Arran has its own bottling line that will support up to five barrels in one run. A viewing area allows visitors to get a look at the inside of the brewery and each step of the brewing process is thoroughly detailed in very helpful wallboards throughout the brewery. The on-site tasting room allows for sampling and the well-equipped gift shop an opportunity for fulfilling that shopping urge.
By far the largest percentage of Arran's sales is in cask format to hotels, pubs and bars throughout Scotland; however, bottling is ever expanding and can be found in a number of outlets in the UK as well as available through the brewery's website shop. One of Richard and Elisabeth's visions is to see the familiar bottled American swill presently seen in many youth's hands replaced by a craft-brewed Arran ale that is specially packaged in the smaller 330ml bottles similar to the familiar longneck.
Arran has received a number of awards not only for their beer but also for their handsome labels. During the summer of 2004 Sunset was marketed and is now added to the brewery's lineup. Additionally, the brewery has ventured into the bottle-conditioned market with its newest beer, Milestone. Milestone was brewed to mark the brewery's 1000th brew since opening in 2000. Reviews have been very favorable (described as "extremely encouraging") and it has been difficult to keep up with demand.
Products (descriptions abridged from company website):
- Arran Blonde - 5.0% ABV
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- A pale, golden well balanced beer with a citric fruit hop character and floral nose. Arran Blonde now also comes in 330ml bottles for that longneck feel!
- Arran Dark - 4.3% ABV
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- Full malt ale in the Scottish heavy tradition with a bittersweet finish and strong malt and hop aroma of ripe fruit. A traditional smooth Scottish heavy beer.
- Arran Ale (formerly Arran Light) - 3.8% ABV
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- Pale colored session ale with a delicate malt and hop balance and perfumed hop aroma.
- Arran Sunset Ale - 4.4% ABV
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- Described as a light, mid-amber summer ale with a light perfumed hop aroma. It has a well balanced taste of malt, fruit and hops with a pleasing dry finish.
- Arran Milestone - 4.4% ABV
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- As mentioned, the brewery's first bottle-conditioned beer. A dark amber beer with a subtle malt and floral hop character with a fruity finish.