Atlas Brewery
The decline and eventual closure of the aluminum industry in Kinlochleven left
its Grade B listed Victorian smelter in vast disrepair. Kinlochleven Land
Development Trust in conjunction with Lochaber Enterprise, part of
Highlands and Islands Enterprise, pumped 291,000 pounds into the
building's restoration. Along came Neill Cotton with an idea for a
brewery and with an additional 110,000 pound investment from Lochaber
Enterprise, a carbon bunker in the historic smelter was transformed into
the Atlas Brewery. The brewery opened for production in early 2002.
The main brewery plant is a 25-barrel capacity system originally installed in a Firkin brewpub in Watford. The fermentation tanks are stainless steel with handsome mahogany exteriors. Also included is a custom-built 2-barrel specialty brewing setup designed by Brewing Solutions UK for experimental and small batch runs. Consultant George Thompson, formerly of Belhaven Brewery, assisted with the installation. Interestingly enough, George also participated in the original installation of the system in the aforementioned Firkin brewpub. Additionally, there is a small bottling line.
Neill Cotton met Head Brewer Chris Jamieson during a trip to Brussels. Chris had worked in two Firkin brewpubs in the Netherlands both of which were closed down leaving him free to take the job at Atlas. The beers from Atlas Brewery utilize a mix of traditional British and continental ingredients for a more international approach.
In February of 2004 Atlas joined with Orkney Brewery to form Highlands and Islands Breweries. Atlas founder Neill Cotton presided as Managing Director and Orkney founder Roger White as Chairman of the new venture. Then, in late 2006, both Atlas Brewery and Orkney Brewery were taken over by Sinclair Breweries Ltd., a company founded by Highland businessman Norman Sinclair.
Products:
- Latitude Cask Pilsner - 3.6% ABV
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- Straw-colored session beer made from Maris Otter Pale and Lager malts with Styrian Golding hops for aroma
- Three Sisters Scottish Ale - 4.2% ABV
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- Atlas' version of a classic Scottish 80/- using Chocolate Malt for a rich, dark ruby color and slightly toasty and fruity flavor
- Nimbus Strong Pale Ale - 5.0% ABV
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- A soft, delicate pale colored beer inspired by the Kölsch beers of Cologne with the addition of 5% Malted Wheat to the grist
Seasonal Products:
- Blizzard Winter Beer - 4.7% ABV - Winter
- A golden, spicy winter beer brewed with four types of malt and three types of hops
- Wayfarer India Pale Ale - 4.4% ABV - Summer
- A pale ale brewed with small additions of Crystal Malt, Caramalt and Malted Wheat and spicy Bramling Cross hops for a strong but smooth bitterness
- Tempest Wheat Beer - 4.9% ABV - Autumn
- A naturally cloudy wheat beer brewed with Pale Ale Malt and Malted Wheat hopped with Hersbrucker Hallertau noble hops
- Equinox - 4.5% ABV - Spring
- A fruity, golden pale ale brewed with the addition of Highland honeys contributing to a subtle honey aftertaste without the sweetness normally associated with honey-style ales