Tryst Brewery

Lorne Road, Larbert, Falkirk FK5 4AT

Phone: (0)1324 554000

Website: www.trystbrewery.co.uk

After taking a redundancy package from his job of many years, Scottish Craft Brewers member John McGarva decided to take his real ale brewing skills from hobbyist to professional. John opened Tryst Brewery in early 2004 in the small village of Larbert, very near to Falkirk. The brewery resides in a warehouse not far from the train station in Larbert. Brewing takes place using a 10-barrel brewing plant originally from Berkeley Brewery in Gloucestershire. John produces about five barrels per week, available in cask and in bottle.

The name "Brockville", used for two of the brewery's beers, was the name of the field once used by Falkirk Football Club. Carronade I.P.A.  is named after the Carronade cannon once manufactured by Carron Iron Works in Falkirk and used on ships of war around the time of Wellington.

At any given time, the beers listed below are available on a rotating basis in pubs. Edinburgh pubs are Tryst's biggest market at present for the brewery's cask-conditioned beers and all are now available in bottled-conditioned format. Outlets in the Central belt also host Tryst's ales as well as a few pubs in Glasgow. John attends a number of beer festivals all over Scotland providing yet another way to try the brewery's multi award-winning beers. Tryst beers will are also now available for purchase through the brewery's website.

I had the privilege of meeting John and visiting the brewery in early 2006. From the start, I was very impressed by John's knowledge and skill as a brewer and he is one of the finest people I have been fortunate enough to meet. He has since become one of my closest friends in the Scottish brewing industry. This photo was taken at the opening of the Scottish Real Ale Shop at The Lade Inn in Callander. Left is Douglas Ross of Traditional Scottish Ales (formerly Bridge of Allan and Stirling breweries), myself in the middle and John on the right. John has been joined by "the other" John, John Muir, formerly of Strathaven Ales, who handles marketing including the brewery's lovely new labels. John's beers are great, please support him when and if you can.

Products:

Raj I.P.A. - 5.5% ABV
Full strength India Pale Ale with underlying malt complexity and hopped with three popular UK hops.
Brockville Pale - 3.8% ABV
A smooth and easy drinking golden hoppy session ale with a refreshing mix of fruit and malt lingering in the aftertaste.
Brockville Dark - 3.8% ABV
A dark ruby colored ale with hints of licorice and roasted grains along with a edge of bitterness.
Carronade I.P.A. - 4.2% ABV
India Pale Ale brewed with pale ale malt and American hops from the state of Washington creating a thirst quenching citrus packed flavorful beer.
Buckled Wheel - 4.2% ABV
An old-fashioned ale brewed with light colored malts and a traditional blend of English Fuggle and Goldings hops.
Antonine Amber Ale
Based on a traditional Scottish recipe with Scottish oats and malted barley along with three varieties of English hops.
Blathan - 4.0% ABV
Pronounced as Bla-han in Scottish Gaelic meaning "Little Blossom". So named due to the floral aroma of this satisfying single hop variety beer. Brewed with malted barley and elderflower.
Drovers 80/- - 4.0% ABV
A prize winning Scottish 80/- with extra emphasis on the late copper hops. Malty flavor with hints of spice and distinctive hop flavor and aroma.
Stars & Stripes - 4.0% ABV
A nod to the American hop. A fine session ale brewed with three American hop varieties.
Zetland Wheatbier - 4.5% ABV
A cloudy wheat beer brewed with German malts, a high percentage of wheat malt and German hops. Fermented with a HefeWeizen yeast for that distinctive banana flavor and aroma.
Carron Oatmeal Stout - 6.1% ABV
Brewed and bottled in small batches, this rich, creamy Scottish Oatmeal Stout is based upon a Scottish recipe from the Edwardian era extracted from the archives.
Scottish Cider Company - 6.2% ABV
Tryst Brewery is proud to be a distributor for east of Scotland cider producer, Scottish Cider Company. Made with a single apple variety and is un-carbonated and filtered.