The Belhaven Brewery
Address : The Belhaven Group, Spott Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1RS, Scotland
Telephone No : 01368 862734
Web Site : www.Belhaven.co.uk
Visitors Centre : No, however they do offer Brewery tours - See Breweries own web site for details
Belhaven claims to have begun brewing in 1719. In that year the burgh of Dunbar levied a local tax on brewers to fund civic improvements. Since Belhaven's site is immediately outside the limits controlled by the then Dunbar Council, and hence would be free of the 'impost' or tax, it is possible that the 1719 date records the relocation of an existing business. In the first half of the 18th century Belhaven had more than 24 small and large competitors nearby in Dunbar, Belhaven and West Barns. Only three, the Dunbar, Belhaven (then called Johnstone's and later Dudgeon's) and West Barns breweries survived until the middle of the 19th century and only Belhaven lasted through the 20th, in part due to its small scale of production and its much larger malting capacity.
In August 2005, the Suffolk based brewery Greene King announced a £187 million takeover bid for Belhaven. This offer was accepted and completed by November 2005. Greene King has stated that Belhaven will retain its brands and brewery following the takeover.
Below is a selection of beers from the Belhaven Brewery:
The Tartan Pint
A Great new book available from Amazon for only £2.05
The Tartan Pint is all about the great breweries and fantastic beers that Scotland has to offer. It gives you information about the breweries, including a description of the history or the people behind them. There is a list of the beers they produce along with pump clip images and tasting notes, where available. The book is split into the 14 geographical area's of Scotland from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway with a brief description of the area and a list of the breweries located in that area. Plus chapters about beer history, beer tasting and beer styles, i.e. the definition of lager, bitter, porters, etc....
The book is available for download from Amazon -where you can also read the first 20 pages to see if you like it !
All of Scotland's Great Breweries and fantastic Beers in one book - Get your copy now !!!
Belhaven Best (3.2%) - (3.5% in a can)
Belhaven Best is the main man of draught ales. Best colour, best flavour, best balance - the pint for all occasions. We Scots are often not known for blowing our own trumpets, modest souls that we are, but we've named this Best for a reason. We're sure you'll agree.
Belhaven Best is the main man of draught ales. Best colour, best flavour, best balance - the pint for all occasions. We Scots are often not known for blowing our own trumpets, modest souls that we are, but we've named this Best for a reason. We're sure you'll agree.
Belhaven Best Extra Cold (3.2%)
Take Belhaven Best, drop the temperature a few degrees and what have you got? A pint so tempting it would make a vicar blush. We've created a special blue font so you'll be able to spot it on the bar. Belhaven Best beer with an extra chill. Too cool for school this one.
Take Belhaven Best, drop the temperature a few degrees and what have you got? A pint so tempting it would make a vicar blush. We've created a special blue font so you'll be able to spot it on the bar. Belhaven Best beer with an extra chill. Too cool for school this one.
Scottish Stout 7%
We reckon this is the porter equivalent of the tall dark handsome stranger, but with its blend of triple malts, roasted chocolate flavour and hop character, once you've tried this deluxe stout you'll want to get reacquainted.
Belhaven Scottish Stout wins 'Platinum Medal' Award
Belhaven Scottish Stout has received top marks from the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) in their 2008 World Beer Championships Awards.
The Scottish Stout was described by the Beverage Testing Institute as having "aromas of baker's chocolate" and "charred nuts". Delicious!
We reckon this is the porter equivalent of the tall dark handsome stranger, but with its blend of triple malts, roasted chocolate flavour and hop character, once you've tried this deluxe stout you'll want to get reacquainted.
Belhaven Scottish Stout wins 'Platinum Medal' Award
Belhaven Scottish Stout has received top marks from the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) in their 2008 World Beer Championships Awards.
The Scottish Stout was described by the Beverage Testing Institute as having "aromas of baker's chocolate" and "charred nuts". Delicious!
Belhaven Fruit Beer (4.6%)
Not just the domain of the Belgians, we Scots have combined another two things we're great at - beer and soft fruits. Not too sweet though, for its great fruity addition, it's got just the right balance of fruit and bitterness. A perfect beer for summer days (raining or otherwise).
Not just the domain of the Belgians, we Scots have combined another two things we're great at - beer and soft fruits. Not too sweet though, for its great fruity addition, it's got just the right balance of fruit and bitterness. A perfect beer for summer days (raining or otherwise).
Belhaven Twisted Thistle (5.3%)
A great India Pale Ale (IPA), don't think that Belhaven's Twisted Thistle has anything jaggy, spikey, prickly or otherwise pain-inflicting in its nature. Quite the opposite. Your taste buds will tingle with pleasure after a sip or two of this golden nectar. A real treat from our master brewers in Dunbar.
A great India Pale Ale (IPA), don't think that Belhaven's Twisted Thistle has anything jaggy, spikey, prickly or otherwise pain-inflicting in its nature. Quite the opposite. Your taste buds will tingle with pleasure after a sip or two of this golden nectar. A real treat from our master brewers in Dunbar.
Belhaven St. Andrews Ale (4.6%)
A real classic, Belhaven's St. Andrews Ale is inspired by another great Scottish invention - golf. It's simple really - a truly great beer, great balance and great flavours. Just the thing to quench the thirst after a day on the course.
Belhaven's St. Andrews Ale is available in cask as well as bottle.
A real classic, Belhaven's St. Andrews Ale is inspired by another great Scottish invention - golf. It's simple really - a truly great beer, great balance and great flavours. Just the thing to quench the thirst after a day on the course.
Belhaven's St. Andrews Ale is available in cask as well as bottle.
Robert Burns Ale (4.2%)
Of course, what else could it be except poetry in a glass? Created in honour of Scotland's finest Bard, this malty ale is a rare treat with food. Nothing tim'rous about this beer - it's dark, sweet and almost toffee-like this is a real taste of Scotland.
Of course, what else could it be except poetry in a glass? Created in honour of Scotland's finest Bard, this malty ale is a rare treat with food. Nothing tim'rous about this beer - it's dark, sweet and almost toffee-like this is a real taste of Scotland.
Belhaven 80/ (3.9%)
80 Shilling is Belhaven's classic, hand-pulled, cask-conditioned ale - just like great great great grandpa would have had. It has a classic red appearance in the glass, rich and smooth. An Austrian Emperor once described 80/- as 'the burgundy of Scotland'. Not sure how many he'd had, but the man clearly had taste. Belhaven's 80 Shilling is available in cask as well as bottle.
80 Shilling is Belhaven's classic, hand-pulled, cask-conditioned ale - just like great great great grandpa would have had. It has a classic red appearance in the glass, rich and smooth. An Austrian Emperor once described 80/- as 'the burgundy of Scotland'. Not sure how many he'd had, but the man clearly had taste. Belhaven's 80 Shilling is available in cask as well as bottle.
A big thank you to the belhaven breweries own web site, www.Belhaven.co.uk for most of the information on this page, especially the descriptions and images of their beers.
To find out more information and get a chance to buy some of their great beer, just click on the link to the Belhaven Brewery web site. This is an excellent site and is well worth a visit.
To find out more information and get a chance to buy some of their great beer, just click on the link to the Belhaven Brewery web site. This is an excellent site and is well worth a visit.