Emma Today, Glasgow’s most exciting new development for ages opened.
Drygate, the UK’s first experiential (sic) craft brewery has sprung up almost overnight on the western edge of the Tennent’s Caledonian Wellpark brewery complex just east of the city-centre.
experiential
/ɪkˌspɪərɪˈɛntʃ(ə)l,ɛk-/
adjective
-
involving or based on experience and observation.“the experiential learning associated with employment”
In case you’re not aware, the project is a collaboration between Tennent’s and Williams Bros Brewing Co from Alloa, and entrance is via the gates on John Knox St opposite Drygate itself. On the site you will find a working micro-brewery (which is actually rather large!), a bar/restaurant, off-licence and upstairs a beer hall, spacious venue area for holding gigs & events and a (sun trap) beer terrace (where I can confirm that I got a good dose of sunlight). At the moment it’s just decking but home-made seating & tables are due soon.
The simple yet distinct logo (a thin jaggy line!) references the building’s roof, and I noticed that at least 2 of the staff have it tattooed on their arm.
There are 3 core beers in the Drygate range and all are made using lovely new world hops, these are:
Bearface Lager – “Heavy on the hops, light on the tongue. Clean & crisp with citrus hints. Lager that refreshes the body. Vigourous!” (4.4%, 28 EBU)
Gladeye IPA – “Inspired by trident-forging Cyclops of brute strenth and singular vision. Smooth caramel. Citrus zest. Giant IPA” (5.5%, 42 EBU)
Outaspace Apple ale – “Apples and ale get hitched to cosmic effect. Improbable concoction. fairytale ending. Aromahopery with crunch” (4.7%, 28 EBU)
The lager is a pleasantly clean crisp refreshing lager with mild hoppy bitterness and no nasty aftertastes. The IPA is a bit subdued and not as hoppy as I was hoping for but it is still very crisp and refreshing. My favourite is the Outaspace Apple ale which is a bit different, lovely, light and hoppy with noticeable apple aroma and taste. I think the only other apple beer I’ve ever had was Floris Apple by Brouwerij Huyghe (which they sell in the Clockwork Beer Co) which is OK but is more like a fizzy soft drink.
All artwork on the bottles was created by Glasgow School of Art students and there’s loads more artwork hanging in the upstairs venue area which could hold a few hundred people. The plan now is to create beer that is influenced by the art!
Aside from their own Drygate beers there will also be a phenomenal amount of beer from around the world available – 24 taps on at any one time across the 2 floors plus loads of bottles too – could this be the biggest selection of beer in any pub in Glasgow?!
Like the Hanging Bat, Brewdog and other craft beer pubs the stronger stuff will be available in schooner glasses (2/3rd pint).
The food in the restaurant is provided by those good folk at the Vintage in Leith and will include novel items such as spreadable chorizo, mackarel tartare & smoked Applewood brulee – which was very unusual but entirely edible!
The minimal stylish interior will hold about 120 diners – looking forward to a full meal here!
From the bar/restaurant you’ll be able so see the brewery in action through the glass walls – though bear in mind that the beers are currently being brewed by Williams Bros in Alloa as the brewery on site is not yet fully operational. Once it is there’s a commitment to experimentation & innovation and there are facilities for members of the public to brew their own beer on site and take it home with them.
Looking forward to Drygate becoming my new local! 
The area around Drygate has seen a lot of improvement in recent years – the Great Eastern hotel re-developed into flats, the new Collegelands building for over 1,100 public-sector staff, new student & GHA accommodation, a new multi-storey carpark, the McCune Smith cafe and the most modern Morrisons we’d ever come across at the time, though the other stores across Glasgow are now being refurbed as well (to look more like Waitrose or Whole Foods!) The area is definetly on the up but is it still out the way for some people?
Transport-wise High Street station is a 5 min walk away and there are direct trains to Edinburgh, Springburn, Helensburgh and Balloch from here, and of course you can change at Queen St or Partick to go elsewhere. The number 41 bus also passes down Duke St.
For other bloggers take on the development please see:
The Beercast
I might have a glass of beer
Get Around Glasgow
Drygate brewing Co.
85 Drygate, Glasgow, G4 OUT
www.drygate.com
Telephone:0141 212 8810
Email:info@drygate.com
Twitter: @drygate
Great food and service just a couple of niggles. We weren’t ask how we would like our steak done abd no little biscuit with coffee. Dont lijevthe boardsvto eat off of but that’s an age thing. Definitely recommend