Dog puts bite back in beer

Brewdog, Scotland’s newest and most controversial brewery, are on a quest for acceptance in their homeland with the launch of their innovative Equity For Punks (EFP) shareholding scheme. The Edinburgh launch took place in the cosy confines of Holyrood 9A following the recent launch in London. The EFP scheme enables fans of Brewdog to own one of 10,000 shares in the company for £230.

Martin Dickie and James Watt founded Brewdog in 2007, after their mutual disillusionment with traditional beers on the market fuelled a desire in them to “change people’s perceptions about what beer can be.” And change them they did, with the USA and Sweden quickly becoming their biggest export markets, leading them to be named 2008 Import Beer of the Year in Sweden.

The entrepreneurs confess that this change has taken the longest in their home country. Dickie admits that in the last six months alone they have experienced a “big change in acceptance” within the Scottish brewing industry.

While the Holyrood only carries four of the nine beers in Brewdog’s extensive range—not including the infamous Tokyo stout, currently the UK’s strongest at 18.2% alcohol—the quality and variety of each beer on offer was undoubtedly impressive.

The Brewdog’s very first concoction, Punk IPA (6%) is influenced by the beers of New Zealand. The Punk is a refreshingly fruity take on the traditional pale ale and gets better with each glug. Next, the unforgettable Trashy Blonde (4.1%) is slightly more feminine but a no less aggressive sister drink, complete with hints of citrus.

Onto the beautifully golden-coloured malt beer that is the 77 Lager (4.9%) and finally, Brewdog’s side-project, the Zeitgeist (4.9%). Billed as “an alternative black lager”, when compared to Guinness the Zeitgeist proves sweeter and lighter.

The beers were undoubtedly the night’s main attraction but the atmosphere and energy surrounding the launch was truly remarkable in itself. The space soon filled with fans, friends and industry insiders, and an unbelievably friendly evening ensued. As the drinks and conversation flowed the beer supplies began to run low, only for reinforcements to arrive with yet more cases of Brewdog’s first beer, the delectable Punk IPA.

If like many of us finding an extra £230 seems unlikely, keep your eye on this company and have a crack at their beer. Their non-conformist message and ethics alone are shining examples of a unique and trailblazing brewery that we haven’t seen the best of yet.