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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7.4
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7.5

Can from Westhill Service Station. It pours clear red - brown with a sturdy beige head. The aroma is brown bread, dried fruits , berries, jammy, tangy, wood, old leather sofa, nut and spice. The taste is initially dry, toasty, wood, brown bread, dried fruits & berries, toasted fruit cake, some spice, earthy and touch of cacao with a drying, chewy finish. Medium body and moderate+ fluffy carbonation. Delivers a nice depth of flavour for the abv. Robust and well crafted.

Tried from Can from Westhill Service Station (Hop Shop Aberdeen) on 13 Mar 2026 at 14:30


7
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

Hazy amber with a bubbly white head and a peach melba yoghurt aroma. Not sour, just a little bit tart, fruity and spritzy and not too bad at all.

Tried from Draft from Hereford Beer House on 07 Mar 2026 at 16:30


7.5
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Can from Appellation Wines. Pours clear amber to brown with a rocky beige head. Aromas of toffee, brown bread, light roast. Taste is toffee and mixed dried fruit. Dries up nicely on the finish.

Tried on 01 Mar 2026 at 18:20


7.3
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7.5

Can from Appellation Wines. Pours murky orange with a short-lived thin orange head. Aromas of strong clementine as expected, tangy sour. Taste is ornage and a faint herbal note. Mostly tangy sour on the finish.

Tried on 01 Mar 2026 at 17:32


7.5
Appearance - 9 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Can from Lupe Pintos. Clear amber/brown body with a thick beige head. Steady carbonation. Faint lacing. Aroma of tea and caramel. Flavour of honey, brown sugar and roasted malt. Medium body with a slick texture. Soft fizz. Tangy and roasted.

Tried from Can on 28 Feb 2026 at 23:03


7.4
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7.5

can at Vessel ...deep red..small off white head ... soft sweet caramel toffee fruit nose ...Light spicy toffee ..Light caramel woody toffee malts

Tried on 18 Feb 2026 at 17:20


6.9
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6.5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Tried on 31 Jan 2026 at 20:30


7.5
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Cask at Ryrie's. Pours clear dark brown with a thick beige head. Aromas of chocolate and dark fruit. Taste is light roast, caramel and cocoa. Light sweet finish. Nice.

Tried on 31 Jan 2026 at 13:20


7.6
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

keg at the bow bar ...hazy amber ...hazy amber ...small white head ..soft tropical funk fruit ...soft fruit ..Light lactic ..dry fruit ...

Tried on 28 Jan 2026 at 14:36


7.3
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

Can from Appellation Wines.
Appearance - deep amber to brown but clear. Fluffy beige head.
Nose - toffee, brown bread, a little roast.
Taste - no roast this time, just loads of toffee and malt loaf.
Palate - light to medium bodied, sweet middle, light dryness on the finish.
Overall - good example of the style.

Tried from Can from Appellation Wines (Comely Bank) on 21 Jan 2026 at 17:53