Caledonian Brewery

The Caledonian Brewery is located on Slateford Road, 2 miles (3 km) west of the centre of Edinburgh. It was founded in 1869 by George Lorimer and Robert Clark, who built the four-storey red brick building. The brewery had its own 150m (500 feet)-deep well, cooperage, maltings and was served by its own railway siding. Taken over by Vaux Breweries in 1919, following Lorimer's death, brewing continued until the 1980s when closure was threatened. Following a robust campaign, the brewery was subject to a management buy-out and, through its return to traditional methods and cask-conditioned ales, led the renaissance of real ales across the UK. Britain's last remaining direct-fired open coppers are used in the process.

Despite the set-back of a major fire in 1994, the Caledonian Brewery is now a recognised brand and successfully markets its beer internationally. The brewery was acquired by the Scottish and Newcastle conglomerate in 2004 and will take on the brewing of their McEwans and Youngers brands, in addition to Caledonian's own beers, following the closure of the Fountain Brewery. The Caledonian is now the last remaining significant brewery in Edinburgh.


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