Pilot

Microbrewery in Leith, Midlothian, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Associated with 2 Venues

Established in 2013

Contact
Unit 4B, Stewartfield, Leith, EH6 5RQ, Scotland
Description
Pilot was born when Matt Johnson and Patrick Jones met while studying for masters degrees in Brewing & Distilling at Heriot-Watt University in 2012. A shared view that there was something different to be done in brewing – not traditional real ales, but not just another U.S. craft beer clone either – led to home-brewing together, which eventually led to buying a second-hand brewhouse and moving to the heart of cosmopolitan Leith, commencing brewing right at the end of 2013.

We’ve never done things the easy way. We dismantled the plant ourselves. We moved it to Leith and rebuilt it ourselves. We dug out the drainage (pro-tip: pay real men to do that), installed the flues and built the cooling system ourselves. We design, brew and drink the beer ourselves. We are Pilot.

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6.3/10 Appearance 7 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Not bad. Fairly dry for the style. Soft lemon, crispy pale grain. Low sweetness. A little grassy hop. Drinks fine but I’d like it a little sweeter, juicier.
Tried from Can on 28 Jul 2026 at 18:40

6.3/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 6.5 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Tried on 25 Jul 2026 at 22:24

5.6/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 5 Texture 6 Overall 5.5
Tap @ Cloisters, Edinburgh. Light hazy amber with a white head. Aroma is sweet, malty, peach and sugary. Flavor is medium sweet. Sweet finish. 250726
Tried from Draft at Cloisters on 25 Jul 2026 at 22:21

5.6/10 Appearance 5 Aroma 6 Flavor 5.5 Texture 6 Overall 5.5
Tried on 24 Jul 2026 at 21:51

6.6/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 6.5 Texture 6 Overall 7
Tap @ The Holyrood 9A, Edinburgh. Hazy golden with a white head. Aroma is sweet, malty, fruity and light hoppy - citrus. Flavor is medium sweet and light bitter. Dry and light bitter finish. 240726
Tried from Draft at The Holyrood 9A on 24 Jul 2026 at 21:47

6.9/10 Appearance 7 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7
Can @ Salt Horse, Edinburgh. Clear red brown with a white head. Aroma is sweet, malty, caramel and toffee. Flavor is medium sweet and light bitter. Sweet and light bitter finish. 240726
Tried from Can at Salt Horse Beer Bar on 24 Jul 2026 at 20:22

5.6/10 Appearance 7 Aroma 5.5 Flavor 6 Texture 3 Overall 6
Tried on 24 Jul 2026 at 20:14

7.3/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
Can from Appellation Wines.
Appearance - golden and clear with a white head.
Nose - brown bread going into caramel.
Taste - dank, light floral and then more breadiness.
Palate - light bodied, dry finish.
Overall - decent example of the style.
Tried from Can from Appellation Wines (Comely Bank) on 24 Jul 2026 at 17:25

4.6/10 Appearance 4 Aroma 5 Flavor 5 Texture 4 Overall 4.5
Tried on 24 Jul 2026 at 14:23

6/10 Appearance 5 Aroma 6.5 Flavor 6.5 Texture 5 Overall 6
Tap @ Bow Bar, Edinburgh. Light hazy yellow with a white head. Aroma is sweet, malty, light yeasty and pepper. Flavor is medium sweet. Sweet finish. A bit watery. 240726
Tried from Draft at Bow Bar on 24 Jul 2026 at 14:21