Scottish Real Ale Festival 2013 – the beers

As the craziness of the city-wide Independents’ Festival continues, and (for me, at least) the debauchery of the Beer Bloggers’ Conference is yet to start, in between, nestling like the older, wiser chick in the nest, we have CAMRA’s Scottish Real Ale Festival. Truly, at the moment there is as much beer in Edinburgh as anyone could possibly want – from 3% Golden Ales to 15% barrel-aged whatnots infused with icantquiteputmyfingeronits. Beer-Town, UK. For a week, at least. Anyhow, the SRAF still pulls in the crowds, with a hugely loyal following checking out what’s new in the world of cask ale – and the continued use of the Corn Exchange has worked wonders for the festival, giving it that space that people, beers and cooling pythons really, really need.

As I wrote in the preview post, the number of Scottish breweries exhibiting at the festival has risen for four consecutive years – showing the growth of the market here. In fact, back in 2010 there were 32 bravely shipping their casks off to Edinburgh; this year, 48. Trying new things is, for me, the very best thing about beer festivals, so in the time I had out at Slateford it was with this in mind. First up, Scaur O’Doon from our good friends at Ayr Brewing Company. It was a great opener to the festival, perched on the plastic-topped table as the hall filled up on a Thursday lunchtime. Next up, Loch Lomond Brave Hop Amber – a 6% dual-fuelled beer (there’s a black version out there, but not at SRAF this year). An absolute belter, bitter orange and with a great lasting hop edge to it.

Following that, Tempest’s new Unfermentalist, which packed (as ever with Kelso’s finest) a whole load of lemon and lime zinginess in there; then it was on to one of the newer Scottish producers – Windswept Brewing’s APA. This was another of the beers of the day, for me – a great bitter caramel, roasty amber ale. The final two beers on my lightning SRAF visit were Hector from An Teallach – always go for at least one stout, even amidst blazing sunshine – and Elixir’s Jump the Shark, a 7.4% lychee and pink peppercorn effort that was pretty much incredible. Not a huge amount of pepper there, but enough of a trace to set the lychee humming. Another corker from West Lothian’s finest.

As these (and many other) beers were going down, the announcement came through on the Champion Beer of Scotland results. In third place for 2013, Highland Brewing Co with St Magnus – yet again Rob Hill getting into the top three places – with Cairngorm placing second with Black Gold; Scotland’s most under-rated stout coming up with the goods once again. The winner, however, and Champion Beer of Scotland for 2013, was announced as Fyne Ales Jarl. Being unashamed FA-fans here at the BeerCast, we can only say it’s about bloody time. Jarl changed the game north of the border when it came to Citra beers (we first discovered it at the 2010 SRAF, shortly after it was launched).* It’s absolutely deserving of the accolade – many congratulations to Tuggy, Jamie and the team.

*Classic BeerCast quote – “The addition of the Citra hops elevates Jarl over Caledonian Surf Sup on points.”

The Scottish Real Ale Festival is being held at the Corn Exchange, New Market Road, Edinburgh from Thursday 11th July to Sunday 14th July (the first time the festival has opened on both days of the weekend). Opening hours are 12pm-11pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 12:30pm-4:30pm on Sunday. Entry is £4 for CAMRA members, £6 for non-members, but keep hold of the glass given out and you can get free re-admission over the other days. Visit the official website to keep up with any amendments to the beer list.