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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7/10 Appearance 7 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 7 Overall 7
Can at home. Pours clear deep amber, nose is malty, toffee, caramel, nutty, taste is similar, sweet. 7
Tried on 01 May 2026 at 09:40

7/10 Appearance 7 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 7 Overall 7
Keg at the bow bar. Pours hazy amber, nose is clementine, lemon, floral, funk, taste is zesty, citrus, floral. 7
Tried on 01 May 2026 at 09:26

7/10 Appearance 7 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 7 Overall 7
Keg at esf. Pours hazy golden, nose is pineapple, mango, taste is juicy fruit, sweet, zesty. 7
Tried on 23 Apr 2026 at 10:37

7.6/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7.5 Flavor 7.5 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Can from Appellation Wines, thanks to McCash! Pours clear golden with a thick off-white head. Aromas of brown bread, toffee and earthy malt. Taste marmalade, burnt toffee and fruit bread. Dry bitter finish.
Tried on 14 Apr 2026 at 15:03

7/10
Tried on 05 Apr 2026 at 09:18

6.5/10 Appearance 7 Aroma 6.5 Flavor 6.5 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Keg at Small Bar, Bristol. Pours clear amber chestnut with beige foam. Aroma: caramel. toffee, brown bread, mild spices. Taste: light to moderate sweet & bitter, caramel, toffee, dried fruits. Thin body with average carbonation.
Tried from Draft at Small Bar on 21 Mar 2026 at 08:08

6.6/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 6.5 Texture 7 Overall 6.5
Keg at Sonder, Broadstairs, 19/03/2026.
Hazed golden orange topped with a lasting white cap.
Nose is tangy citric rinds, straw, herb, hedgerow.
Taste comprises sharp orange zest, herb, straw, lemon balm.
Medium bodied, fine carbonation, semi drying close with a modest acidic twinge.
Passable affair ... not offensive ... not sour enough and a touch sweet edged.
Tried on 19 Mar 2026 at 18:56

7.4/10 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

7/10 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

7.5/10 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