Caledonian Brewery rolls out Wee George pilot
HEINEKEN is opening a pilot centre within its Caledonian Brewery – famed for its Deuchars pale ale – as the world’s third-largest beer producer looks to tap into the growing craft brewing market.
Edinburgh’s last remaining brewery from the heyday of the 1800s will produce two to three new test brews each week from its experimental line, which will operate as a “brewery within a brewery”.
The most successful will be scaled up for wider production in the main facility.
Dubbed “Wee George” after brewery founder, George Lorimer, the £100,000 pilot centre has 400 litres of capacity. Managing director Andy Maddock said it can fill bottles, casks and kegs, which will allow new products to be sold through pubs and the off-trade.
“Now we’re confident our premium traditional ales are at their very best, it’s time to get a little bit creative with our beer innovation,” Maddock said.