Craft brewery planned for Glasgow

Scottish craft brewer Williams Bros is teaming up with the C&C Group, manufacturer of brands such as Tennent’s and Magners, to open up a craft brewery in Glasgow’s East End.

A planning application has been lodged to develop a historic brewing site at Glasgow’s Drygate, in the shadow of the city’s cathedral, to establish the Drygate Brewing Company.

The site, adjacent to the Wellpark brewery, which previously housed a box factory, is owned by C&C Group.

Scott Williams, co-owner of Williams Bros Brewing Company, said: “The interest in craft brewing, both domestically and worldwide, is growing fast, as we know from our own experience, and we are confident that as a city-based microbrewery, the Drygate Brewing Company will be a big success.

“Glasgow’s Drygate is close to many of the city’s tourist hotspots, including Glasgow Cathedral, the Provand’s Lordship, the St Mungo Museum and the High Street area, and is 5 minutes’ walk from the city centre; it is the perfect location for what we have planned. We think this will be a major regeneration of the Duke Street area.

“The Drygate Brewing Company will be a celebration of craft beer, of brewing excellence and, most importantly, of great tasting beer.

“We are grateful to C&C Group for their support in this exciting new venture, which sees them continue to invest in businesses connected to the licensed trade in Scotland. This new development will also be complementary to the successful Tennent’s Training Academy.

“We’re genuinely excited by the possibilities Drygate Brewing Company offers and can’t wait to brew our first beer and to open the doors to all visitors in spring 2014.”

As well as the brewery the new development would also feature a “brewing centre of excellence” which will enable home brewers, student brewed and other microbrewers to develop their brewing techniques. Also planned for the site, which aims to generate 16 new jobs, are a visitor centre, restaurant and bar.