Glasgow Beer Tasting: Insight into the Craft Beer Scene

Glasgow has a thriving craft beer scene. These small breweries produce special beers to suit every taste, from hoppy IPAs and malty porters to fruity sours and dark stouts. Even with so many micro-breweries based in Glasgow and the rest of Scotland, the beer industry is still growing by leaps and bounds. It’s not just about drinking — it’s about exploring different tastes, learning about different ingredients, and understanding the science behind brewing your own beer at home. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a tour of some of the best pubs in Glasgow for sampling craft beers. You can even find out where to buy these beers if you want to try brewing them at home. Let’s get started...

Book a private group tour and enjoy a beer tasting in Glasgow.

This is for group tours only.

What is Craft Beer?

To put it simply, craft beer is beer brewed by smaller, independent breweries. There are no set rules as to what constitutes a craft beer. But what’s consistent is the fact that craft beers are usually made with natural ingredients and less artificial flavouring than mass-produced beers. Most of these breweries are small, independent businesses that follow traditional brewing methods. Brewers who create craft beer usually experiment with different flavours and ingredients to create something new and interesting.

Where to Try Craft Beers in Glasgow

There are many pubs in Glasgow that offer the chance to sample a wide variety of exciting craft beers. Here are some of our favourites: The Cathro and Co. Brewery - This brewery has been in operation since 2012, and has been serving their beer in the Glasgow pubs for the last 6 years. You can also purchase their beer from the brewery shop, or from several other pubs that stock their range. Their beer includes a selection of IPAs, stouts, and seasonal ales that are always worth checking out. Glasgow Craft Beers - This bar has an ever-changing selection of craft beers from around the world. On any day, you can try a different selection of IPAs, porters, saisons, or stouts from breweries like Magic Rock, Beavertown, and BrewDog. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to try a special collaboration beer that’s exclusive to Glasgow. The Oranje Hotel - This Dutch-themed bar is a great place to sample some Dutch craft beers. Every year, the owners of the bar travel to different beer festivals to source a selection of Dutch beers that you won’t find anywhere else in Glasgow. Oranje Lounge - This cocktail bar serves up a wide range of speciality craft beers. You can try something new with each visit, as the selection changes regularly. St Andrews Brewing Co. - This brewery produces a wide range of beers that are popular in Glasgow pubs. Their beers include a traditional German pilsner, a raspberry fruited porter, and a creamy stout that’s perfect for winter.

St Andrews Brewing Co.

This brewery has been in operation since 2012, and has been serving their beer in the Glasgow pubs for the last 6 years. You can also purchase their beer from the brewery shop, or from several other pubs that stock their range. Their beer includes a selection of IPAs, stouts, and seasonal ales that are always worth checking out.

Glasgow Craft Beers - The Cathro and Co. Brewery

This bar has an ever-changing selection of craft beers from around the world. On any day, you can try a different selection of IPAs, porters, saisons, or stouts from breweries like Magic Rock, Beavertown, and BrewDog. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to try a special collaboration beer that’s exclusive to Glasgow. The Oranje Hotel - This Dutch-themed bar is a great place to sample some Dutch craft beers. Every year, the owners of the bar travel to different beer festivals to source a selection of Dutch beers that you won’t find anywhere else in Glasgow. Oranje Lounge - This cocktail bar serves up a wide range of speciality craft beers. You can try something new with each visit, as the selection changes regularly. St Andrews Brewing Co. - This brewery produces a wide range of beers that are popular in Glasgow pubs. Their beers include a traditional German pilsner, a raspberry fruited porter, and a creamy stout that’s perfect for winter.

Innis & Gunn Brewery Tasting Room

This brewery has a tasting room in Glasgow where you can sample some of their most popular beers. You can also purchase bottles of their beer to enjoy at home. The tasting room is open 7 days a week, and is a great place to visit before catching a concert at the nearby venue, Barrowlands.

Oranje Hotel Tasting Rooms

This Dutch-themed bar also has two tasting rooms where you can sample a selection of Dutch craft beers. You can also purchase beer bottles to take away. The tasting rooms are only open on Fridays and Saturdays, so check their website for opening times.

Provenance Restaurant: A Taste of the Netherlands in Glasgow

This is one of the best places to sample traditional Dutch food in Glasgow. The menu also includes a selection of speciality Dutch beers, including some that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. If you order the tasting menu, you’ll receive 5 different beers to try with your meal.

Final Words

If you’re a beer enthusiast, then you’ll be in paradise in Glasgow. This Scottish city has one of the most vibrant craft beer scenes in the world, and there are many great pubs where you can sample a wide variety of different styles. This is a great hobby for anyone who really loves beer. It’s a great way to explore new flavours, expand your palate, and meet like-minded people who are just as enthusiastic about craft beer as you are.

Book a private group tour and enjoy a beer tasting in Glasgow.

This is for group tours only.