Pilot

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

Established in 2013

Contact
Unit 4B, Stewartfield, Edinburgh, 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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6.1/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 5 Texture 7 Overall 5
On cask at Teuchters.
Appearance - amber and an off white head.
Nose - bread and green apple.
Taste - more of the same.
Palate - not sure of the apple note, might not be what the brewery intended.
Overall - has this been on too long?
Tried from Cask at Teuchters on 20 Jul 2026 at 13:21

6.9/10 Appearance 7 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 7 Overall 6.5
Keg Fishmarket Lager 2026-06-16 Edinburgh
AR: bready, fresh, grass - yellow
AP: clear coppery, frothy head
F: bready, fresh, grass - yellow
Tried from Draft on 17 Jul 2026 at 21:09

7.3/10 Appearance 7 Aroma 7 Flavor 6.5 Texture 8 Overall 8
Keg Thee wee Fishmarket 2026-07-16 Edinburgh
AR: fresh tropical fruity, pine
AP: hazy orange, frothy head
F: fresh tropical fruity, pine
Tried from Draft on 17 Jul 2026 at 20:59

8.4/10 Appearance 10 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 9 Overall 8
Keg from The Beerhive (5.1% ABV, 2016) and can from Appellation Wines (4.5% ABV, 2026). Hazy golden body with a medium white head. Steady carbonation. Faint lacing. Aroma of juicy orange, flower petals and pineapple. Flavour of lime, grass and nettles. Medium body with a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Light fizz. A fruity, hoppy pale. Juicy and refreshing.
Tried from Can from Appellation Wines (Comely Bank) on 15 Jul 2026 at 13:12

7.1/10 Appearance 9 Aroma 8 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 6
Tried on 10 Jul 2026 at 20:30

7.5/10 Appearance 9 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Can from Lupe Pintos. Hazy amber/brown body with a beige head. Steady carbonation. Faint lacing. Aroma of rust, stewed tea and fruit cake. Flavour of biscuits, brown bread and dried cranberries. Thin to medium body with a slick mouthfeel. Light fizz. A tasty and easy drinking dunkel.
Tried from Can on 23 Jun 2026 at 21:18

7.3/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
Can from Appellation Wines. Pours clear pale yellow with a thin white head. Aromas of light lemon and biscuit. Taste is more of the same. Dry finish.
Tried on 22 Jun 2026 at 13:18

6.9/10 Appearance 7 Aroma 6.5 Flavor 7.5 Texture 7 Overall 6.5
Tried from Can on 20 Jun 2026 at 17:10

7.8/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7.5 Flavor 7.5 Texture 8 Overall 8
Pint at Vessel. Pours clear golden with a thin white head. Aromas of banana, bread and spice. Taste is white pepper, dough and banana again. Dry finish.
Tried on 07 Jun 2026 at 09:01

8.3/10 Appearance 9 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8.5
Can from Cornelius. Hazy pale golden body with a thick white head. No visible carbonation. Faint lacing. Aroma of cucumber, minerals and cigarette butt. Flavour of nettles and waxed lemon. Medium body with a smooth texture. Soft fizz. This is exquisite and exceeded expectations.
Tried from Can from Cornelius on 04 Jun 2026 at 20:35