BEER TRAIL

Welcome
to Glasgow!

Discover the city’s renowned breweries, each with its own story - large, small and everything in between, you’ll find them here. 

There are so many fine watering-holes around Glasgow - from pubs on the edges of parks and rivers and even a few in former churches. So where did their stories begin?

*Details correct at time of publication, check website / socials for the most up-to-date information.

Patchy internet?

Download the PDF to save or print using the link below or keep scrolling to explore the trail online.

HOW DID THE STORY BEGIN?

The birth of brewing in Glasgow is dated from the end of the 12th century onwards, and some of the initial practitioners of this great art were the monks of Glasgow Cathedral. The Celtic tradition of using bittering herbs in brewing remained in Scotland longer than in the rest of Europe.

Glasgow’s very first brewery dates back to 1736, this small public brewery was situated on the Molendinar Burn at the Gallowgate. From this small beginning Glasgow saw the birth of its first major breweries. These included Anderson Brewery (est. early 1760s), John Struthers’ Greenhead Brewery (est. prior to 1760), and of course, Tennent’s Brewery at Drygate Bridge in the East End (est. 1740), which had a family brewing history dating back to 1556.

Until recently if you fancied a beer that was brewed in Glasgow there was Tennent’s and McEwans or McEwans and Tennent’s. Although, in the last few years much to Glasgwegians delight 21st century ‘Cauldron Brewing ‘ via micro breweries is once more giving us access to quality ales, each of which display their own distinctive flavours and aromas.

So let’s go for a wee wander round this fair city, sampling as we go.

EAST END

Let’s start with a saunter (Glaswegian for a slow walk) through the city’s ancient heart where both the city and our original brewery started and get that first swally.

CITY CENTRE

Now let us wander through into our historic city centre which is home to some of the country’s most stunning Victorian architecture. Surrounded as we are by these 19th century spirals let your imagination soar to that next wee tipple.

SOUTH SIDE

Now let us cross the River Clyde using one of our many famous bridges and sip our way into an area of wide open spaces, our very own herd of Highland Coo’s and a team of giant Clydesdale horses.

WEST END

The West End of Glasgow stretches from Charing Cross to bustling Partick. Between these two points you can roam through the lovely Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow University or the leafy suburbs of Hillhead and Hyndland.

OUTSIDE OF GLASGOW

And just in case you decided to take your wanderings further a field…

Download the trail as a PDF to save or print

Drink Responsibly. For those aged 18 years old and over.

Experience Glasgow Beer Trail: Commissioned by Experience Glasgow Food & Drink, developed by Walking Tours in Glasgow.


@experienceglasgow | @walkingtoursinglasgow | glasgowfoodanddrink.com