10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in Colinsburgh

"Cold Town House is situated in the famous Grassmarket area of Edinburgh and has a range of traditionally brewed offerings along with their signature dish, the stone-fired Neapolitan pizza. There is a full roof which is rolled back when the rain stops, revealing ‘that’ Edinburgh Castle shot. There’s a decent selection of drinks including Cold Town Beer, which is freshly brewed on the premises and served by the glass or in the six-pint tower."

"Learn about the craft behind the science of craft brewing with Cold Town Brewery. Established in 2018 in an empty church on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, Cold Town Beer takes its name from Edinburgh’s Calton Hill Brewery, the first in Britain to brew lager in 1835. That brewery was situated in the suburb Caldtoun, in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, which we now know to be Calton Hill."

"CTH opened in 2019 and has already proven popular with the stag weekend crowd. Set over three stories and with a rooftop terrace overlooking Edinburgh Castle, the former church has the added advantage of having its own brewery on hand. As well as its own-brand beers, it has a range of cocktails, prosecco, whisky (obvs), and a locally-sourced menu."

"Brew Dog was established in 2007 by two young men who were passionate about craft beer and tired of uninspiring industrially produced beers and ales. They began to brew headline grabbing beers such as Tactical Nuclear Penguin (with an astonishing 32% ABV) and Sink the Bismarck (an incredible 41% ABV -the result of a beer arms race between Germany and Scotland). They opened their first bar in Aberdeen in 2010 and the following year opened a Brew Dog pub in the heart of Edinburgh which quickly became a local sensation."

"Head on over to BrewDog's Lothian Road bar and you'll find reclaimed tables lining the street, giving you one cool spot for a post-work pint or two. That's not all though, as the venue is dishing up droolworthy burgers, boozy weekend brunches and a hearty choice of plant-based bites."

"Born and bred in Scotland, Brewdog is such a successful brand that it’s gone global, with 78bars spread around the world. Though founded in Aberdeenshire, three are located inEdinburgh. Choose between the Lothian Road or the Cowgate location (which is a little bit more central)."

"If you’re planning a road trip of Scotland we suggest celebrating your arrival into Edinburgh Airport by immediately sipping suds at Edinburgh Beer Factory. The brewery is located a short 8 minute drive from Edinburgh Airport, making it the perfect first or last stop on a Scottish beer tour. Edinburgh Beer Factory first opened in November 2015."

"Combining old and new ideas and techniques, Edinburgh Beer Factory create beer inspired by the Edinburgh-born ‘Godfather of Pop Art’, Eduardo Paolozzi. Their brewery tours include a walkthrough of their lager-making process, from blank canvas to final product. You’ll even get the chance to taste the raw ingredients and the unfiltered brew!"

"Founded and operated by veteran brewer Andrew Barnett in the Summerhall former vet school, and on the site of the historic Summerhall Brewery (demolished circa 1913), Barney’s is a micro-brewery literally rooted in tradition. There’s no pasteurisation or filtration in the process, which is 100% natural. All of Barney's beers – including the humbly-named Good Ordinary Pale Ale plus a lager, a red beer and a dark porter – are cask-conditioned or bottle-conditioned."

"Barney’s Beer is a craft brewery located at the southeast corner of Edinburgh’s Meadows in Summerhall. Ranked as one of the best Edinburgh breweries, Barney’s Beer is housed in the stables of the city’s old vet school. Barney (Andrew Barnett) started working in his hometown brewery in Wolverhampton back in 1983 at 16 and has been in the industry ever since."

"Barney’s Beer offers public and private tours|Courtesy of Barney’s Beer. Housed at Summerhall in a former vet school’s stables, Barney’s has been brewing for the people of Edinburgh since 2010. The use of the Summerhall site as a brewery actually predates its use as veterinary college."

"Great Grog Bottle Shop, award-winning wine and beer merchant settled in Edinburgh, is run by John, Tom, and Jerry. The Great Grog Bottle Shop started in 2005. They specialize in craft beer and wine."

"Perth’s BrewDog located in George Street is now open for business. They have kept us filled up over lockdown with their BrewDog Now which is a deliver/ click and collect service for your favourite beers and snacks (genius, right?). However, we can now gladly say that the bar, equipped with outdoor seating, is open and the friendly team can’t wait to welcome you all in."

"Beers spirits and wines for collection or delivery from staff on hop drop app!. Also bottling draft beer. Phone: 01738627756 | Website"

"La Garrigue – Creme Brûlée flavored with lavender|© Caitriana Nicholson/Flickr. With rustic, country cooking inspired by owner Jean Michel Gauffre’s home of the Languedoc region in Southern France, this charming restaurant claims the title of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s favorite French bistro and offers views through the windows of Calton Hill."

"La Garrigue – Creme Brûlée flavored with lavender|© Caitriana Nicholson/Flickr. No one does ‘romantic’ better than the French. Take a leaf out of those with the language of love and make way for La Garrigue, a personable little bistro."

"Explore the fresh and rustic cooking styles of Southern France at its best at La Garrigue, the winner of 2 AA rosettes since its opening."

"A truly hidden hotspot for caffeine cravers in the know, Lowdown Coffee is one of the best-kept secrets in George Street, a pretty thoroughfare famed as one of New Town’s high-end shopping districts. Located in the basement of just one of many of the street’s stunningly crafted Georgian buildings, Lowdown becomes somewhat lost beneath all the hubbub, but given their minimalist décor and outlook – we imagine that’s just the way they like it. Using only seasonal and expressive beans, Lowdown is one of the few places in the city to get truly unique coffee as the barista’s pride themselves on matching beans to specialist brewing methods such as Clover Machines and Torch Mountain Drippers to unlock unfathomable flavours you never thought possible!"

"Another George Street wonder, Lowdown Coffee brings a minimal and simplistic touch to this round up of coffee lovers places to try. With its simple attention to detail, teamed up with incredible cakes and sweet treats, this basement spot is a perfect place to meet a client or grab a coffee on the go. Not only do they serve up a spectacular cup of joe, they also create exceptional hot chocolate recipes and chai lattes, allowing the non coffee drinkers of the world to enjoy a visit."

"If you're looking for a laid-back location to take a break from the hustle and bustle of your day head toLowdown Coffee on George Street. Their minimalist contemporary surroundings are ideal for when you just need to switch off for a while with one of their excellent coffees made with beans from Swedish roasting house Koppi. Tea drinkers can enjoy a brew of Postcard Teas which comes from small producers who farm less than 15 acres."

"Alongside their restaurant on George Street, Cafe Andaluz serve authentic small plates of Spanish tapas. With furnishings from Spain, authentic fabrics, ornaments and mosaic tiling, an outing here is reminiscent of a summer evening meal on your favourite Spanish holiday. Bookings should be made advance via the website."

"Cafe Andaluz is a culinary playground where tapas and sangria reign supreme. Although the inside is utterly charming, the outdoor section is just as lovely—and is a prime people-watching spot, as well. Menu highlights include sharing platters; paella; and an enticing range of meat, veggie and seafood tapas."

"This is a new space in a historic area, just off ancient Canongate in the heart of the Old Town. Envisaged as a community arts and commerce project, the Old Tolbooth Market (daily 11am to 6pm) has a multicultural remit, with a Scottish/Afro-Caribbean street buffet, Jam Rock Jamaican chicken and more. You’ll also find hot Tanzanian hot chilli sauces, flowers, arts and crafts, plus live music and performances."

"Disclaimer: My meal at Loudons New Waverley was a gifted experience. All opinions are my own. Loudons runs two cafes in Edinburgh – the original on Fountainbridge, and a new spacious location at New Waverley, a development project with living space, hotels, shops and restaurants just off the Royal Mile."

"I had several nice meals at Olly Bongo’s during my student years at Edinburgh University. This Mediterranean cafe offers a selection of sandwiches and wraps, as well as Turkish and Greek dishes, including moussaka and lamb koftas (very tasty!). I also love the Greek and Turkish decor of this place – it’s so bright and colourful."