Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA have recently visited Isle of Whithorn to present two local businesses with three coveted awards.
Five Kingdom’s Brewery, Scotlands most southerly brewery received the award from Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA for Brewery of the Year 2021, along side a Silver award from The Society of Independent Brewers for their Premium Bitter Wee McAsh.
The brewery began in 2015 and sits in the harbour side village of Isle of Whithorn nestled on the tip of the Machars peninsula.
Owner of the Brewery Alastair JG Scoular is pictured receiving the award from A&W CAMRA Branch Chair Lindsay Grant.
Following the presentation Alastair allowed CAMRA members a rare tour of the Brewery and outlined his plans for the future –
“Our goal is to brew the highest quality product possible and to grow the business. We are committed to keeping all our brewery processes in-house, with the aim of generating local jobs. We are also trying to source our raw materials as locally as possible and now use 90% Scottish grain. We are experimenting by brewing beers using solely UK hops. This year we have purchased equipment to double production capacity at our current site. However, our long term intention is to build a purpose built brewery in the Isle of Whithorn, which would be carbon neutral. We are currently working alongside South of Scotland Enterprise to fulfil our objectives.”
The Steam Packet Inn received the award for Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Cider pub of the year.
To qualify for this award, the cider must be fermented from the whole juice of fresh pressed apples without the use of concentrate or chaptalised juices.
Under the management of Toni and Callum Harvey this sits perfectly with the ethos of the business who are currently building on the excellent reputation of The Steam Packet and working alongside Five Kingdoms Brewery to make the Isle one of the regions foremost food and drink destinations.
Toni Harvey is pictured receiving the award from Lindsay Grant A&W CAMRA Branch Chair.
