A traditional Scottish brewery, in an 18th Century Lanarkshire mill.
Strathaven Ales are brewed in an old-fashioned, labour-intensive process, crafted by three generations of the same family.
The brewery is situated in an idyllic setting next to the River Avon just outside the market town of Strathaven.
Strathaven Ales was started in late 2005 by business friends Craig and Douglas Buchanan and Allan Young. They have devoted considerable effort into updating the brewery to attract visitors. The brewery itself is the historic Craigmill Brewery on the River Avon used previously by Williams Brothers/Heather Ales and restored with the help of Historic Scotland.
A friendly welcome.
The brewery is visitor friendly, and although the operation is small you’re guaranteed a friendly welcome. The brewery and visitor centre welcomes the public between 2-4pm daily or by appointment and select ales can be sampled in the tap room.
They currently produce six regular ales and about a dozen specials (principally in 500ml bottles and casks), and Strathaven Ales tap badges are a regular fixture on the hand pumps of CAMRA pubs all over Scotland – and almost always in the couple of bars just up the road in Strathaven itself.
A strong Covenanter history.
The brewery now produces about thirty barrels a week distributing to the Central area of Scotland as well as in England. The names of the ales are influenced by the strong Covenanter history closely associated with the Strathaven area. They are available primarily in cask format although bottled versions are produced for gift packs and limited sales.
Head Brewer Ross started working for Strathaven Ales in 2011, in that time he learned his trade from his father Craig. He became Head Brewer three years later and is always looking to expand the range with new and exciting brews.